Top 37 Blacklisted Actors Of All Time

Kevin Spacey stands among Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, yet his presence in mainstream productions has dramatically diminished in recent years.

While not officially blacklisted, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct brought against Spacey in 2017 have effectively halted his once-thriving career.

The acclaimed performer was not only removed from the hit series House of Cards, but his association with Netflix also ended abruptly when the allegations became public.

Amid controversy, Spacey notably continued to post annual videos on his YouTube channel each Christmas Eve from 2018 to 2020.

Despite facing numerous allegations, Spacey denied the accusations during his initial appearance in a British court.

Mel Gibson has earned widespread recognition for his exceptional filmmaking and acting talents, captivating audiences through a string of iconic roles and films.

His powerful performances in acclaimed movies like Braveheart, Mad Max, The Passion of the Christ, and the Lethal Weapon series underline both his versatility and accomplishments as an actor and director.

Despite his impressive career, Gibson also faced professional backlash and was blacklisted by some in Hollywood’s elite circles.

Controversy ignited in 2006, when Gibson was arrested for drunk driving and subsequently made anti-Semitic remarks, including claims that Jews were responsible for starting wars worldwide.

These comments drew widespread condemnation from the entertainment industry and the public alike. Additionally, actress Winona Ryder, who is Jewish, later alleged that Gibson called her an 'oven dodger' at a party in 1996, further deepening the controversy.

Nevertheless, Gibson’s career includes significant achievements. He was named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1985, and in 1997, he was honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his contributions to Australian cinema.

Bill Cosby, though not officially blacklisted by Hollywood, has seen his acting career come to a virtual halt.

Once celebrated as an actor and a beloved television personality, Cosby first gained recognition as a stand-up comedian and later achieved widespread fame through starring roles in popular sitcoms.

His downfall began when he was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, resulting in over three years of prison time.

Despite his release, a comeback for Cosby appears highly unlikely, as the entertainment industry remains unwilling to work with him again.

Brendan Fraser, an Academy Award-winning actor, rose to prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s. Although he began his career with a few television movies, he gained widespread recognition through major films such as The Mummy Trilogy, Bedazzled, and George of the Jungle.

Despite his early successes, Fraser experienced a significant downturn in his career during the early to mid-2000s, as he found himself excluded from many Hollywood film productions.

Fraser later revealed that he was the victim of sexual assault by Philip Berk, then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

He further stated that his decision to come forward and resist Berk's advances led to him being blacklisted within the industry.

Orson Welles first appeared in a minor role in the feature film Too Much Johnson, but his career soared after the release of the groundbreaking Citizen Kane.

He achieved remarkable success as an actor, director, and writer, solidifying his status as a creative force in Hollywood after his iconic film debut.

Despite his achievements, Welles fell under suspicion by the United States government during the height of his fame, investigated as a possible secret Communist.

The central character in Citizen Kane begins as an idealistic social crusader but gradually transforms into a power-obsessed capitalist. This storyline contributed to government concerns, with officials citing the film as evidence that Welles could be a national threat.

Targeted by the FBI, Welles ultimately chose to leave the United States in 1948, spending the next eight years living and working in Europe.

James Woods enjoyed a successful and diverse acting career, portraying roles ranging from tough cops to sinister villains. His talent was recognized with two Oscar nominations, highlighting his significant contributions to the film industry.

However, Woods later became known for expressing strong conservative views on Twitter, which stood out in Hollywood's predominantly liberal environment. His outspoken nature often sparked controversy within the industry.

Woods was vocal in his criticism of Hillary Clinton and other prominent liberal figures, actions that led to his temporary suspension from Twitter. These controversies contributed to a decline in acting opportunities for him.

Armie Hammer rose to prominence with his roles in acclaimed films like The Social Network and Call Me By Your Name.

Despite his growing promise as an actor, Hammer’s career suffered a significant blow when several women accused him of emotional abuse, manipulation, and coercion.

Although Hammer has not been formally blacklisted, his agency William Morris dropped him, and he has since withdrawn from numerous film and television projects.

Wesley Trent Snipes enjoyed significant success in Hollywood, starring in hit films like White Men Can’t Jump and the iconic Blade trilogy. His talent and charisma propelled him swiftly up the ranks in the film industry.

Unfortunately, Snipes’ career took a dramatic turn when he made a disastrous financial decision—he neglected to pay his taxes. This wasn’t a minor oversight; his actions led to serious legal trouble.

The gravity of Snipes’ tax evasion resulted in a prison sentence. As expected, this scandal caused his promising career to come to an abrupt and unexpected standstill.

Kirk Cameron made his acting debut in the 1981 television show Goliath Awaits, quickly rising to fame after launching his Hollywood career.

Throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, he enjoyed wealth, widespread admiration, and maintained a strong presence in the limelight.

Starting in the entertainment industry at a young age, Cameron had the unique opportunity to showcase his talent early on, starring in popular projects such as Growing Pains, Like Father Like Son, Listen to Me, and making a notable appearance on Full House.

However, his life took a dramatic turn when he became an evangelical Christian, leading him to prioritize his faith and religious outreach over his acting career.

Cameron's Hollywood career came to an abrupt halt after a controversial CNN interview with Piers Morgan, during which remarks he made questioning others' sexual orientation resulted in his blacklisting from the industry.

Charlie Chaplin was one of the world's most renowned entertainers during the peak of his film career, captivating audiences through numerous short films before starring in his first feature-length classic, The Kid, in 1921.

Despite his cinematic talent, Chaplin became entangled in political controversy. The FBI labeled him a "parlor Bolshevik," suspecting him of Communist sympathies and considering him a possible threat to American security.

Although Chaplin persistently denied any association with communism, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was determined to have him deported and permanently barred from returning to the United States.

In a turn that feels straight out of a film noir, Hoover enlisted MI5 to investigate Chaplin. The British intelligence agency ultimately found no evidence that he posed any danger to the U.S.

Nevertheless, Chaplin did face a period of exile, during which he was officially prohibited from entering the United States and made his home in Switzerland.

Vince Vaughn has long been a prominent figure in the American film industry, known for his comedic roles and distinctive on-screen presence.

During Donald Trump’s presidency, Hollywood became openly divided over political views, with Vaughn aligning himself among the actors who expressed support for Trump. This association sparked significant media attention.

Some critics have pointed to a perceived decline in Vaughn’s creativity as a reason for Hollywood's distance, but the media often suggests his political views have played a larger role.

Vaughn is best recognized for his performances in hit comedies such as "Swingers," "Wedding Crashers," and "The Break-Up." He attracted further attention when a viral video showed him in a friendly conversation with President Trump, fueling ongoing discussion.

Unsurprisingly, his public connection with President Trump did not appear to benefit his professional standing in the industry.

Nevertheless, Vaughn returned to the spotlight in 2020, starring alongside Kathryn Newton in the horror-comedy feature "Freaky."

In 2022, he expanded his career beyond acting by launching a podcast network and production company, Audiorama, with Greg Olsen and Ryan Kalil. Their first podcast placed a special focus on the world of youth sports.

Randy Quaid launched his film career with a memorable performance in 1971's The Last Picture Show.

Trouble began on the set of The Merry Wives of Windsor, where Quaid's behavior reportedly created tension with the crew. The situation escalated when his wife intervened, sending emails to both the cast and crew working on the production.

As a result of their conduct, Quaid and his wife were fined $81,000 by Equity, his acting union, and he was subsequently dismissed from the project. These events marked the onset of his blacklisting in Hollywood.

Tobey Maguire played a significant role in shaping the childhood memories of kids who grew up in the 1990s.

He soared to international stardom by bringing the iconic Spider-Man to life in Sam Raimi's trilogy of blockbuster films.

However, after the success of those movies, Maguire's subsequent projects struggled at the box office. His involvement in well-publicized poker scandals also cast a shadow over his career.

While he may not have been formally blacklisted, it's likely that major studios paid close attention to the controversies surrounding him.

Despite these challenges, Maguire continued to make his mark in films like The Great Gatsby, Pawn Sacrifice, and The Boss Baby over the past decade.

Most notably, he returned to reprise his role as Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster, Spider-Man: No Way Home, in 2021.

Comedians often walk a fine line with their jokes and are scrutinized for how they respond to criticism about their material. The way they handle such feedback can have lasting effects on their career and public image.

Michael Richards launched his comedy career in the 1980s and rose to become a well-known figure in the entertainment world. However, an incident during a live performance would change the course of his life dramatically.

During a confrontation with a heckler, Richards made an unfortunate choice, responding with a slew of racial slurs. He specifically targeted an African-American audience member, even suggesting the person should be removed from the venue.

As a result, Richards faced widespread outrage and his reputation suffered greatly. He abruptly left the stage that night, unable to finish his performance, leaving a lasting mark on his career.

Robert Blake is a retired American actor best known for his acclaimed role in the film In Cold Blood and for starring in the popular 1970s television series Baretta.

Beginning as a child star in MGM’s Little Rascals, Blake's once promising career plummeted following serious allegations against him. His life took a dramatic turn after he became involved in a high-profile criminal case.

Blake was found liable for the wrongful death of Bonnie Lee Bakley, his wife. In 2002, the actor was arrested after two former stuntmen claimed that Blake had solicited them on separate occasions to kill his wife.

Although both men had histories of substance abuse—something Blake leveraged in his defense—he was eventually acquitted of the criminal charges.

Martin Lawrence began his career with a role on the television show What's Happening Now!, and later rose to fame for his starring role in the popular Bad Boys film franchise. His comedic talent quickly made him a household name in Hollywood.

In 1994, Lawrence hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, where his on-air monologue sparked controversy due to comments about female hygiene. As a result, he was banned from appearing on the show again.

Lawrence's reputation has faced further challenges over the years, including public criticism for making homophobic remarks in the more recent past.

Jamie Kennedy began making a mark in Hollywood with his film debut in the late 1980s, steadily building his reputation in the industry.

However, in 2012, while hosting a New Year's Eve special exclusive to Los Angeles and broadcast on the CW network, Kennedy made headlines for an ill-advised joke about Psy of 'Gangnam Style' fame.

To make matters worse, he lost track of time and missed the much-anticipated midnight countdown by nearly 10 seconds, leaving viewers disappointed.

These missteps were widely criticized as unprofessional, and reports suggest that several major industry figures distanced themselves from Kennedy following the incident.

Charlie Sheen has long been recognized as one of Hollywood's highest-paid comedic actors and among the most iconic television personalities of his era.

At the height of his career, Sheen earned a staggering $2 million per episode for his role on the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, solidifying his status as a top-tier television star.

Despite his incredible success, Sheen's journey in Hollywood took a dramatic turn, ultimately leading to his blacklisting from major productions.

While many rumors circulated about the reasons behind his exclusion, the main factors cited were his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and a perceived lack of accountability.

Additionally, Sheen's highly publicized disputes with the show's co-creator, Chuck Lorre, further damaged his reputation and made it increasingly difficult for him to secure roles.

Burgess Meredith was a renowned actor and filmmaker known for his remarkable work in both theatre and film. Widely regarded as one of the finest actors of the 20th century, he garnered multiple Emmy Awards in recognition of his talent.

Notably, Meredith became the first male actor to win the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor twice. Despite his accomplishments, he was accused of being a Communist and was subsequently blacklisted.

As a result, Meredith lost numerous roles during the early 1950s, profoundly impacting his career during that turbulent era.

Edward G. Robinson was one of the most distinguished character actors of his era, gaining popularity during Hollywood's Golden Age. With a career spanning over 100 films, he left an indelible mark on cinema history.

At the height of his fame, Robinson learned that 11 of the 850 charities he had supported over the previous decade were identified by the FBI as Communist front organizations.

As a result, he was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in both 1950 and 1952, a tumultuous period for many in Hollywood.

Soon after, this extraordinarily talented actor found himself on Hollywood's grey list, impacting the trajectory of his illustrious career.

Corey Feldman's screen career began on a rather promising note, but it suffered quite terribly post his blacklisting. The actor had become a star as a child after having played a role in Lost Boys and The Goonies.

However, it turns out that he was a likely victim of a Hollywood paedophilia ring. Even though this matter was not taken as seriously back then, it led to a period of unending pain and drug abuse for the actor.

Needless to say, his addiction got him removed from several acting roles, leading to his subsequent and unfortunate blacklisting.

Paul Reubens is an actor, comedian, writer, producer, and children's entertainer who rose to prominence during the 1980s for his portrayal of Pee-wee Herman.

However, the public perception of the entertainer took a massive beating after his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure at an adult film theatre.

Pee-wee toys, which had become so popular during his heyday, were pulled from the shelves and the actor himself pulled out from acting for years.

That said, he did make a comeback playing the character that had made him popular in the first place.

Sure, Jim Caviezel was a decently known actor in the late 1990s, but it was his portrayal of Jesus in Mel Gibson's controversial hit The Passion of the Christ that put him on the map.

While the film managed to mint money at the ticket counters, it didn't do much to help the reputation of its lead star and director.

In fact, Jim mentioned that no one from the industry was willing to take his calls after he finished working on the aforementioned project.

What's interesting is that Gibson had reportedly informed the actor well in advance that there was a possibility that they would receive a ton of flak for the film following its release. Needless to mention, he was right.

Cee-Lo Green started making his presence felt in the music industry during the mid-1990s. While he had been a moderately successful musical act, he shot to fame almost immediately after the release of his single "F**k You" in 2010.

The track peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts and helped him become a household name for quite some time. Soon after, the man was seen serving as a judge on "The Voice" and getting his own TV show.

However, things took a turn for the worse when he ended up posting some insensitive tweets on the topic of rape and homophobia. Unsurprisingly, it led to him being blacklisted.

Not only did he lose his TV show and his place on "The Voice" but a few of his scheduled concert gigs were also cancelled for good.

Isaiah Washington made his feature film debut with Strictly Business in 1991.

Even though he appeared in quite a few movies during the 1990s, the actor shot to fame in the true sense of the word after playing the character of Dr Preston Burke in the first three seasons of the popular television series Grey's Anatomy.

However, Washington was asked to leave the show after the third season for making a homophobic comment while referring to a fellow co-star.

Not many actors have had a short-lived and, yet, rich screen career. However, John Garfield was one such name.

In a career that spanned 13 years, he worked in over 40 motion pictures. The projects brought him name and fame; two things that Garfield had worked really hard for.

The actor's wife had been a member of the Communist Party for a brief period of time. And, given the fact that Garfield himself was politically outspoken, it was only about time before he was asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Even though his allegiance to the Communist Party was never proven, it did lead to him getting blacklisted in Hollywood.

The following year, the actor succumbed to a heart attack.

Burl Ives was an American singer, musician, actor, and author.

He was yet another mainstream performer who was identified in the 1950 pamphlet Red Channels. Needless to mention, he was also blacklisted as an entertainer.

Like most of the actors during that time, Burl was also blacklisted due to the allegations that he had Communist ties.

Nevertheless, he agreed to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1952 and had, consequently, decided to testify.

Stephen Weaver Collins was best known within the cinematic universe for his character projection in the family drama TV series 7th Heaven. He had a rather sad end to his career.

During his therapy session in 2012, the actor was heard confessing that he was guilty of sexual assault. Fortunately or unfortunately, his former wife Faye Grant was discreetly recording the sessions, which were later leaked to TMZ.

Needless to mention, this led to the demise of Stephen's professional acting career.

Lloyd Vernet Bridges Jr., professionally known as Lloyd Bridges, was the father of Jeff and Beau Bridges.

He was a renowned American stage, film, and television performer who had made an appearance in over 150 motion pictures.

He was blacklisted for a short period during the 1950s after he confessed that he was a former member of the Actors’ Laboratory Theatre.

This group was known to have connections with the Communist Party. However, his blacklisting did not last for a long time and he soon resumed work.

This American actor and musician was best known for playing the character of Noah "Puck" Puckerman on the television series Glee.

His career simply finished by the end of 2015 following his arrest in Los Angeles on serious charges of having and circulating underage photos.

Most of the projects that he was supposed to feature in following his stint on Glee dropped him like a hot potato.

Will Geer, was an actor, musician, and social activist who made his screen debut during the first half of the 1930s.

The actor was blacklisted in the 1950s by Hollywood after his testimony. This was because he had refused to name people who had joined the Communist Party before Congress.

Besides being a competent screen actor, Geer was also a dedicated activist.

Jeffrey Jones is perhaps best known for playing the character of the principal in the iconic movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The man was having a smooth screen career before everything came tumbling down.

A few indecent photographs that were found in his possession ended up landing him on the registry. Needless to say, the film industry acted like it had nothing to do with him anymore.

Even though he managed to share the screen space in HBO’s Deadwood, he got himself into trouble again in 2010 for not adhering to the terms of his agreement on the registry.

Howard Da Silva was first seen playing an uncredited role in the 1935 feature film Once in a Blue Moon.

The actor was blacklisted in 1951 after he appeared as an unfriendly witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

However, soon after his ban was lifted, he returned to television in a big way. Following his ban, his central performance in the completed motion picture, titled Slaughter Trail, was completely re-shot with another actor, Brian Donlevy.

Samuel Joel "Zero" Mostel, popularly known as Zero Mostel, was an actor, comedian, and singer who was best known for his portrayal of comic characters.

He was also among the long list of American entertainers who were blacklisted during the 1950s.

Needless to say, even Mostel was shut out of the movies and lost many lucrative nightclub gigs due to the ban and the controversy surrounding it.

He was an Obie Award and three-time Tony Award winner.

Emanuel Hirsch Cohen, who was known by his stage name John Randolph, had made his feature film debut by playing a minor role in The Naked City.

The Tony Award-winning stage, screen, and television character actor was also among the blacklisted actors during the McCarthy era.

Randolph could be seen in popular motion pictures such as Earthquake, Serpico, Frances, Prizzi’s Honor, and You’ve Got Mail.

Philip Loeb was an American stage, film, and television actor, director, and author who was seen in a few short films before making his feature film debut with Room Service in 1938.

The actor, who was blacklisted under McCarthyism, did not take his firing lightly. Soon after his ban, he committed suicide.

He had quickly become a viewer favourite after having played the role of Jake in the television adaptation of The Goldbergs.

Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata, who was known professionally as Canada Lee, was a professional boxer before he took up acting as a career during the late 1930s.

Among the first actors to have pioneered roles for African Americans in mainstream cinema, he was a champion of civil rights in the 1930s and 1940s.

However, Lee was blacklisted and died shortly before he was slated to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee to testify.