Stars Who Faced Hollywood's Blacklist

Hollywood’s labyrinthine world is fraught with challenges, as these celebrities can attest. Each of them once stood on the brink of stardom, only to find themselves cast onto Hollywood’s blacklist for a myriad of reasons. While some may have earned their place through their actions, others were victims of the industry’s cutthroat nature. At times, powerful figures target the less influential simply because they can. Many of these stars remain baffled by their downfall, but we’ve pieced together some insights into what might have gone awry. Here’s a look at some celebrities who’ve been blacklisted by Hollywood!

16. Vanessa Marquez

Vanessa Marquez, who portrayed Nurse Wendy Goldman in the ‘90s medical drama ER, claims that George Clooney played a role in her blacklisting after she raised concerns about on-set harassment. Clooney has refuted these claims, stating, “I had no involvement in casting decisions. I was solely an actor. If she was led to believe I influenced her career, she was misinformed. I neither had the power nor the desire to impact her professional path.” Since her time on ER, Marquez has secured only a few acting roles.

15. Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson’s Hollywood reputation took a nosedive following his 2006 arrest, during which he made anti-Semitic comments to the arresting officers. Between 2006 and 2010, his only notable role was in the film Edge of Darkness. His career prospects further dimmed in 2010 when a recording surfaced of him making racist remarks and threatening his ex-partner, Oksana Grigorieva. This led to his dismissal by the talent agency William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. However, in recent years, Gibson has seen a resurgence, with his film Hacksaw Ridge earning critical praise and six Oscar nominations, including Best Director.

/

14. Tara Subkoff

In the 1990s, Tara Subkoff was a rising star with roles in films such as As Good as It Gets, All Over Me, and The Last Days of Disco. Her career took a turn when Harvey Weinstein offered her a role at a premiere after-party, only to make unwanted advances. After rejecting him, she claims she was blacklisted in Hollywood, branded as “difficult to work with,” and subjected to false rumors. “Acting opportunities vanished, forcing me to pivot to a new career, founding Imitation of Christ, a fashion and art label,” she revealed in an interview with Variety.

Editorial credit: / Shutterstock.com

13. Mira Sorvino

Mira Sorvino’s career allegedly suffered after she turned down Harvey Weinstein’s inappropriate advances. She disclosed to Ronan Farrow that she had repeatedly rejected him and even reported his behavior to a female Miramax employee. Soon after, she noticed a decline in her career opportunities. “While other factors may have played a role, I felt sidelined, and my refusal of Harvey seemed to be a significant reason,” she stated. In December 2017, director Peter Jackson confirmed that Weinstein had disparaged Sorvino, labeling her a “nightmare” to work with and advising others to steer clear of her.

/

12. Charlie Sheen

Once a top-earning TV actor, Charlie Sheen’s career has stalled since his lead role in the sitcom Anger Management ended in 2014. He recently claimed to be blacklisted in Hollywood, citing this as a reason for seeking reduced child support payments to ex-wives Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller. Court filings revealed his struggles to find consistent work, stating he’s been “blacklisted from many aspects of the entertainment industry.” While specifics were not provided, his 2011 dismissal from Two and a Half Men due to erratic behavior may have contributed to this situation.

Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection

11. Stacey Dash

Stacey Dash, best known for her role as Dionne in Clueless, has recently gained attention for her conservative political views, which she claims have led to her blacklisting in Hollywood. “My acting career has dried up due to my political stance. I’m being ostracized in the industry, blacklisted, and dropped by my agents. I haven’t had an audition in over a year because of my beliefs. But I’m standing firm, knowing this is God’s plan for me. No one can take away what God has destined for me,” she stated in an interview with CNSNews.com.

Photo by Stewart Cook / Rex Features

10. Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd faced Hollywood’s blacklist after rejecting Harvey Weinstein’s inappropriate advances. Director Peter Jackson confirmed in December 2017 that Weinstein had tarnished her reputation, labeling her a “nightmare” to work with during casting for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and advising others to avoid her. Consequently, Jackson removed her from consideration. In May 2018, Judd sued Weinstein for defamation, alleging he sabotaged her career by spreading falsehoods. The trial is scheduled for 2020.

/

9. Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser alleges he was blacklisted in Hollywood after being sexually assaulted by Phillip Berk, former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Fraser recounted the incident to GQ, stating that during a handshake, Berk groped him inappropriately. “I felt sick, like a child, with a lump in my throat, on the verge of tears,” he shared. Following this traumatic event, Fraser withdrew from the public eye, and opportunities for significant roles abruptly dried up.

Editorial credit: / Shutterstock.com

8. Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan, famous for her role in the WB series Charmed, has accused Harvey Weinstein of blacklisting her after she alleged he raped her in the late ‘90s. Although she settled with him for $100,000 without pressing charges, her career suffered. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez attempted to revive her career by casting her in Grindhouse, a project under a Weinstein Company division. Despite critical acclaim, the film underperformed at the box office, which McGowan attributes to Weinstein’s interference.

/

7. Thora Birch

A decade ago, Thora Birch was a rising star with a bright future, earning acclaim for her roles in the Oscar-nominated American Beauty and the Golden Globe-nominated Ghost World. Today, her career has dwindled significantly, and she believes her reputation for being difficult is to blame. “I angered many people over the years, and they retaliated, hoping to change my behavior. But I’m done with that. Many of the criticisms were baseless,” she stated. Her father, who managed her career, also contributed to her downfall, including an incident where he allegedly threatened a co-star during the off-Broadway revival of Dracula, leading to her dismissal.

/

6. Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington’s career took a nosedive after he made homophobic remarks at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards. This wasn’t his first offense; a year earlier, he had used a homophobic slur against his Grey’s Anatomy co-star, T.R. Knight. Despite undergoing counseling after the Globes incident, he was eventually fired from the show. “After the Golden Globes, everything collapsed. I lost everything—my agent, my publicist, my career,” he admitted. Though he has since appeared in lower-budget films, he feels his acting career was effectively destroyed. “They killed the actor in me on June 7, 2007,” he told I Am Entertainment magazine in 2014.

/

5. Jim Caviezel

Jim Caviezel believes his decision to star in The Passion of the Christ led to his blacklisting in Hollywood. Once a rising star, his career stalled after the film’s release due to its controversial nature. Mel Gibson warned him of the potential fallout, saying, “You may never work again.” Caviezel, however, stood by his choice, stating, “This is what I believe. We all have a cross to carry.” Despite the film being criticized as anti-Semitic and the subsequent scarcity of roles, Caviezel remains unapologetic, noting, “Jesus is as controversial now as he was 2,000 years ago.”

/

4. Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl was once a highly sought-after actress, but her reputation for being difficult on set has tarnished her career. Insiders from the set of Life As We Know It described her as a constant source of delays, citing issues with wardrobe, tardiness, and daily script disputes. Her mother and manager, Nancy Heigl, exacerbated the situation with her abrasive behavior, often berating crew members. Heigl’s demanding nature and reputation for being hard to work with have made her a less appealing choice for roles in Hollywood. Whether she can rebuild her career remains uncertain.

/

3. Tippi Hedren

Tippi Hedren, Alfred Hitchcock’s most iconic muse, rose from modeling to stardom under his direction. However, Hitchcock’s obsession with her extended beyond the screen, as he repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances. When Hedren rejected him and attempted to break her contract, he vowed to destroy her career. True to his word, he blocked her from accepting roles elsewhere while keeping her under contract. Despite this, Hedren maintains a positive outlook, stating, “He ruined my career, but not my life. I still admire his talent.”

/

2. Sondra Locke

After her split from Clint Eastwood in 1989, Sondra Locke was blacklisted by major Hollywood studios for a decade. Prior to the breakup, she had a thriving career, including an Oscar nomination, roles in six of Eastwood’s films, and a budding directorial career. Their separation was tumultuous, with Eastwood locking her out of their shared home and storing her belongings. Locke filed a palimony suit, which was settled in 1990 with Eastwood securing her a directing deal at Warner Bros. However, she later accused him of sabotaging her career by ensuring none of her 30 proposed projects were approved. The case ended in a settlement, sending a message about the abuse of power in Hollywood.

(AP Photo/ Damian Dovarganes)

1. Mo'nique

Mo’nique alleges she was blacklisted in Hollywood after winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Precious. She recounted a conversation with Lee Daniels, who told her she was blackballed for not “playing the game.” Despite receiving offers, she has struggled to secure roles. Daniels acknowledged her talent but noted her demands during Precious strained her relationships in Hollywood. He expressed admiration for her but confirmed that creative teams have opted for other choices in recent projects.

/