25 Hollywood Stars Who Were Reportedly Blacklisted or Pushed Out of the Industry

The controversy surrounding Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards became one of the most talked-about moments in modern Hollywood history. Smith later won Best Actor for “King Richard,” apologized publicly, and resigned from the Academy. The incident sparked a wider conversation about public behavior, accountability, and whether a star can return to Hollywood after a major scandal.

However, Hollywood blacklisting is not new. The entertainment industry has a long history of cutting ties with actors, writers, directors, and producers after political controversy, criminal allegations, public misconduct, or conflicts with powerful insiders. From the Hollywood Ten during the Red Scare to modern #MeToo-era scandals, many careers have been damaged, interrupted, or permanently derailed.

Some of the people on this list were accused of serious wrongdoing. Others claimed they were pushed out after rejecting powerful figures, speaking out, or becoming the subject of damaging rumors. Here are 25 Hollywood figures whose careers were reportedly affected by blacklisting, controversy, or industry exile.

25. Kevin Spacey

Birthdate: July 26, 1959

Years active in Hollywood: 1986-2017

Year blacklisted: 2017

Why Kevin Spacey Was Blacklisted

Kevin Spacey was one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, with two Academy Awards, international fame, and a starring role in Netflix’s “House of Cards.” That changed in 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp publicly accused Spacey of making a sexual advance toward him decades earlier, when Rapp was underage.

The backlash was immediate. Spacey was removed from “House of Cards,” and the final season continued without him. Other accusations followed, and his attempt to respond by coming out as gay was widely criticized, particularly by members of the LGBTQ community who felt it wrongly connected sexuality with alleged misconduct.

24. Bill Cosby

Birthdate: July 12, 1937

Years active in Hollywood: 1965-2014

Year blacklisted: 2014

Why Bill Cosby Was Blacklisted

Few Hollywood falls were as dramatic as Bill Cosby’s. Once widely known as “America’s Dad” because of “The Cosby Show,” Cosby saw his reputation collapse after renewed attention to sexual misconduct allegations. Comedian Hannibal Buress helped bring the accusations back into the public conversation during a 2014 stand-up routine.

After that, many women came forward with claims that Cosby had drugged or sexually assaulted them over the years. Cosby was sentenced to prison in Pennsylvania in 2018, though the state supreme court later overturned his conviction and ordered his release. Despite that legal development, his entertainment career remains effectively over.

23. Roman Polanski

Birthdate: Aug. 18, 1933

Years active in Hollywood: 1968-1977

Year blacklisted: 1977

Why Roman Polanski Was Blacklisted

Roman Polanski became one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his generation with films such as “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Chinatown.” His Hollywood career, however, was overshadowed by personal tragedy and later by a criminal case that permanently changed his relationship with the United States film industry.

In 1977, Polanski pleaded guilty in a case involving unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. Before sentencing was completed, he fled the United States. He continued making films in Europe, including “The Pianist,” but he has remained a fugitive from U.S. justice and would risk arrest if he returned to America.

22. Roseanne Barr

Birthdate: Nov. 3, 1952

Years active in Hollywood: 1988-2018

Year blacklisted: 2018

Why Roseanne Barr Was Blacklisted

Roseanne Barr’s return to television in 2018 seemed like a major comeback. The revival of “Roseanne” attracted huge attention, partly because the show addressed political divisions in working-class America. Barr’s character was written as a Trump supporter, frequently clashing with her more liberal sister Jackie.

The comeback ended abruptly after Barr posted a racist comment on social media about Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to Barack Obama. ABC fired Barr, canceled the revival in its original form, and relaunched the show as “The Conners,” with Roseanne’s character written out. Barr has not returned to mainstream acting in the same way since.

21. James Woods

Birthdate: April 18, 1947

Years active in Hollywood: 1971-2017

Year blacklisted: 2017

Why James Woods Was Blacklisted

James Woods built a long and varied acting career, often playing intense characters, villains, and law enforcement figures. He earned two Oscar nominations and was widely recognized as one of Hollywood’s sharpest dramatic performers.

In later years, Woods became better known for his outspoken conservative political views on social media. His comments about Hillary Clinton and other liberal public figures frequently drew controversy, and he was temporarily suspended from Twitter more than once. While he has not officially been banned from acting, major Hollywood roles largely dried up as his online profile became more polarizing.

20. Harvey Weinstein

Birthdate: March 19, 1952

Years active in Hollywood: 1981-2017

Year blacklisted: 2017

Why Harvey Weinstein Was Blacklisted

Harvey Weinstein was once one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood. Alongside his brother Bob, he helped bring major films such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love” to audiences and awards voters. For years, Weinstein was considered nearly untouchable in the film business.

That changed when numerous women accused him of sexual misconduct, harassment, and assault. The allegations helped ignite the #MeToo movement and led to his expulsion from the industry. In 2020, a New York judge sentenced Weinstein to 23 years in prison after his conviction on sex crime charges.

19. Mo’Nique

Birthdate: Dec. 11, 1967

Years active in Hollywood: 2000-2009; 2014-2016

Year blacklisted: 2010

Why Mo’Nique Was Blacklisted

Mo’Nique won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2010 for her powerful performance in “Precious.” Normally, an Oscar win leads to bigger roles and stronger offers, but Mo’Nique has said the opposite happened to her.

According to Mo’Nique, she was labeled difficult and shut out after she declined to campaign heavily during awards season. Her post-Oscar acting work became limited compared with what many expected after such a major win. She has continued to speak publicly about pay, respect, and treatment in Hollywood.

18. Mel Gibson

Birthdate: Jan. 3, 1956

Years active in Hollywood: 1987-2004; 2010-present

Year blacklisted: 2006

Why Mel Gibson Was Blacklisted

Mel Gibson financed and directed “The Passion of the Christ,” a film that became a major worldwide success despite controversy over its violence and accusations of antisemitism. For a time, the box office success helped Gibson remain a major figure in Hollywood.

In 2006, Gibson was arrested in Malibu for driving under the influence. During the arrest, he made antisemitic remarks that severely damaged his public image. Although he later returned to acting and directing, the scandal made him one of the most controversial figures in modern Hollywood.

17. Gina Carano

Birthdate: April 16, 1982

Years active in Hollywood: 2008-present

Year blacklisted: 2021

Why Gina Carano Was Blacklisted

Former MMA fighter Gina Carano moved into acting and gained major attention as Cara Dune in “The Mandalorian.” The character became popular with many Star Wars fans and appeared to have a future in the franchise.

Carano was later fired by Lucasfilm after controversial social media posts, including one that compared being a Republican in Hollywood to being Jewish in Nazi Germany. Lucasfilm publicly distanced itself from her comments, and the Cara Dune character disappeared from the series. Carano has continued acting outside the Star Wars franchise, but her mainstream profile changed significantly.

16. Dalton Trumbo

Birthdate: Dec. 9, 1905

Years active in Hollywood: 1936-1947; 1961-1973

Year blacklisted: 1947

Why Dalton Trumbo Was Blacklisted

Dalton Trumbo was one of the most famous members of the Hollywood Ten, a group of writers and filmmakers targeted during the Red Scare. They were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and accused of communist sympathies.

After being blacklisted, Trumbo continued writing under pseudonyms and through fronts. During that period, work connected to him won Oscars for “Roman Holiday” and “The Brave One.” Years later, as the blacklist era faded, Trumbo’s contributions were publicly recognized, and he became a symbol of Hollywood’s political persecution.

15. Vanessa Marquez

Birthdate: Dec. 21, 1968

Years active in Hollywood: 1988-2006

Year blacklisted: 1997

Why Vanessa Marquez Was Blacklisted

Vanessa Marquez, known for “Stand and Deliver,” had a recurring role on “ER” for three seasons before leaving the medical drama. She later claimed she had been sexually harassed on set and said she was pushed out after complaining.

Marquez also alleged that key figures connected to the show, including George Clooney, were involved in her being blacklisted. Clooney denied having her removed from the series or blocked from work. Marquez maintained her claims for years and died in 2018 during a confrontation with police.

14. Elizabeth Berkley

Birthdate: July 28, 1972

Years active in Hollywood: 1986-present

Year blacklisted: 1995

Why Elizabeth Berkley Was Blacklisted

Elizabeth Berkley was best known for “Saved by the Bell” when she took the lead role in “Showgirls.” The 1995 film was intended to be a bold adult drama set in Las Vegas, but it became infamous for its critical failure and controversial content.

Berkley later said the movie’s reputation hurt her ability to land major roles. While “Showgirls” eventually became a cult title, its initial failure made Berkley a punchline in Hollywood for years. Her later appearance in a “Saved by the Bell” reunion helped reintroduce her to audiences.

13. Tara Subkoff

Birthdate: Dec. 10, 1972

Years active in Hollywood: 1994-2021

Year blacklisted: Approximately 2001

Why Tara Subkoff Was Blacklisted

Tara Subkoff appeared to be a rising star after roles in films such as “The Last Days of Disco” and “As Good as It Gets.” According to Subkoff, her career path changed after an encounter with Harvey Weinstein.

Subkoff has claimed Weinstein made unwanted sexual advances and that, after she rejected him, he used his influence to damage her career. She later stepped away from acting for a period and pursued other creative work, including fashion and directing.

12. Stacey Dash

Birthdate: Jan. 20, 1967

Years active in Hollywood: 1982-present

Year blacklisted: 2016

Why Stacey Dash Was Blacklisted

Stacey Dash became widely known for playing Dionne in the 1995 teen comedy “Clueless.” Years later, she became a conservative commentator and frequently made political statements that separated her from many in the entertainment industry.

Dash drew particular backlash in 2016 when she argued publicly against Black History Month and BET. Her views made her a polarizing figure, and mainstream acting opportunities became far less visible after that period.

11. Charlie Sheen

Birthdate: Sept. 3, 1965

Years active in Hollywood: 1984-present

Year blacklisted: 2011

Why Charlie Sheen Was Blacklisted

Charlie Sheen spent years cultivating a bad-boy image, with public relationships, substance abuse issues, rehab stays, and legal trouble often making headlines. His television career reached a peak with the hit sitcom “Two and a Half Men.”

In 2011, Sheen’s public conflict with the show’s producers and co-stars led to his dismissal from the series. His interviews from that period, including his “winning” and “bi-winning” comments, became viral pop culture moments but also made him appear unpredictable to many employers. He later used his birth name, Carlos Estevez, in “Machete Kills.”

10. Ashley Judd

Birthdate: April 19, 1968

Years active in Hollywood: 1991-present

Year blacklisted: Approximately 1999

Why Ashley Judd Was Blacklisted

Ashley Judd was enjoying a strong run in the late 1990s with films such as “Kiss the Girls,” “Double Jeopardy,” and “A Time to Kill.” She later said her career was harmed after she rejected Harvey Weinstein’s unwanted advances.

Judd alleged that Weinstein discouraged filmmaker Peter Jackson from considering her for “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Her claims became part of the larger public reckoning with Weinstein’s conduct. Judd has continued acting and became one of the prominent voices in the #MeToo movement.

9. Rose McGowan

Birthdate: Sept. 5, 1973

Years active in Hollywood: 1990-present

Year blacklisted: Approximately 1999

Why Rose McGowan Was Blacklisted

Rose McGowan rose to fame through “Scream” and the television series “Charmed.” She later alleged that Harvey Weinstein raped her and then worked to damage her acting career.

Director Robert Rodriguez cast McGowan in “Grindhouse,” a double-feature project that was connected to Weinstein’s company. According to accounts surrounding the film, tensions with Weinstein affected the project’s promotion. McGowan later became one of the most outspoken figures in the campaign against sexual abuse in Hollywood.

8. Brendan Fraser

Birthdate: Dec. 3, 1968

Years active in Hollywood: 1991-present

Year blacklisted: 2018

Why Brendan Fraser Was Blacklisted

Brendan Fraser became a beloved star through films such as “Encino Man” and “The Mummy.” In 2018, he publicly alleged that Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, groped him at an event years earlier.

Fraser said the experience deeply affected him and contributed to his withdrawal from the spotlight. He also suggested that work opportunities became more limited afterward. His acclaimed performance in “The Whale” later brought renewed attention to his career and was widely described as a major comeback.

7. Sondra Locke

Birthdate: May 28, 1944

Years active in Hollywood: 1968-1986; 2000, 2017

Year blacklisted: Circa 1987-1989

Why Sondra Locke Was Blacklisted

Sondra Locke had a long personal and professional relationship with Clint Eastwood. The two appeared in several films together, and Locke’s career was closely associated with Eastwood during that period.

After their relationship ended, Locke said her career suffered and that industry opportunities disappeared. A highly publicized legal battle followed. Although Locke later returned to acting and directing, her Hollywood career never regained the same momentum she had earlier enjoyed.

6. Mira Sorvino

Birthdate: Sept. 28, 1967

Years active in Hollywood: 1992-present

Year blacklisted: Circa 1997-1999

Why Mira Sorvino Was Blacklisted

Mira Sorvino won an Oscar for “Mighty Aphrodite” and was considered one of the most promising actresses of the 1990s. She later said that Harvey Weinstein repeatedly made unwanted advances toward her.

After she rejected him, Sorvino claimed Weinstein damaged her career. Like Ashley Judd, she was reportedly discouraged as a casting choice for Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” films. In later years, Sorvino returned to a busy acting schedule and remained a prominent voice in discussions about abuse of power in Hollywood.

5. Tippi Hedren

Birthdate: Jan. 19, 1930

Years active in Hollywood: 1963-1976; 1981-2018

Year blacklisted: Approximately 1964

Why Tippi Hedren Was Blacklisted

Tippi Hedren became famous after Alfred Hitchcock cast her in “The Birds” and later “Marnie.” She had never led a film before, and Hitchcock’s support initially appeared to make her a major new star.

Hedren later alleged that Hitchcock sexually harassed her and punished her after she rejected him. Because she was under contract, she said he was able to block her from meaningful roles while still controlling her career. Hedren has said this severely damaged her chances of becoming a lasting leading lady in Hollywood.

4. Isaiah Washington

Birthdate: Aug. 3, 1963

Years active in Hollywood: 1991-present

Year blacklisted: 2007

Why Isaiah Washington Was Blacklisted

Isaiah Washington was part of the early success of “Grey’s Anatomy,” where he played Dr. Preston Burke. His time on the hit medical drama ended after controversy over homophobic language.

Washington reportedly used a slur during a dispute involving cast members, and the controversy grew after the 2007 Golden Globe Awards. ABC did not renew his contract, and his character was written out. Although Washington continued to act, he later said that moment effectively ended the version of his career he had known.

3. Thora Birch

Birthdate: March 11, 1982

Years active in Hollywood: 1988-present

Year blacklisted: 2010

Why Thora Birch Was Blacklisted

Thora Birch earned praise for roles in “American Beauty” and “Ghost World,” but her career became inconsistent in the years that followed. She was sometimes described in the industry as “difficult,” a label often applied unfairly and more harshly to women in Hollywood.

In 2010, Birch was fired from a Broadway production of “Dracula.” Reports at the time said the dismissal involved allegations that her father, who also served as her manager, threatened another actor. Whatever the exact cause, the episode added to the perception problems surrounding Birch’s career, and her work became more sporadic.

2. Jim Caviezel

Birthdate: Sept. 26, 1968

Years active in Hollywood: 1991-present

Year blacklisted: 2004

Why Jim Caviezel Was Blacklisted

Jim Caviezel played Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” one of the most commercially successful religious films ever released. Despite the film’s huge box office performance, Caviezel later said the role hurt his Hollywood career.

According to Caviezel, major opportunities became scarce after the film’s release, and he struggled to get calls returned. He continued working, including in television, and has been linked to Gibson’s long-discussed follow-up, “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.”

1. Katherine Heigl

Birthdate: Nov. 24, 1978

Years active in Hollywood: 1992-present

Year blacklisted: Approximately 2008

Why Katherine Heigl Was Blacklisted

Katherine Heigl became a breakout star on “Grey’s Anatomy” and built a successful film career with romantic comedies such as “Knocked Up” and “27 Dresses.” Around 2008, however, stories circulated that she was difficult to work with, and those rumors followed her for years.

Heigl has said the backlash affected her mental health and made it harder to find collaborators. The criticism intensified after public comments about some of her projects and her decision not to submit herself for Emmy consideration for one season of “Grey’s Anatomy.” In recent years, she has rebuilt momentum with roles including the Netflix series “Firefly Lane.”