Hollywood Actors That Have Been Blacklisted By Hollywood Directors

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is perhaps one of the most versatile actors of his day and age in Hollywood. He was born John Christopher Depp II in Owensboro, Kentucky, on June 9, 1963, to Betty Sue (Wells), who worked as a waitress, and John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer. He has been a part of many celebrated movies and franchises including Pirates of the Caribbean. He has been banned because of his divorce proceedings with ex-wife Amber Heard.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

With an almost unpronounceable surname and a thick Austrian accent, who would have ever believed that a brash, quick talking bodybuilder from a small European village would become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, marry into the prestigious Kennedy family, amass a fortune via shrewd investments. But because of his old age, political background, and infidelity, he doesn’t have much work.

Jim Carrey, Canadian-born and a U.S. citizen since 2004, is an actor and producer famous for his rubbery body movements and flexible facial expressions. The two-time Golden Globe-winner rose to fame as a cast member of the Fox sketch comedy In Living Color (1990) but leading roles in Ace Ventura series.

But now Jim’s work has become rather repetitive and monotonous.

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson was born in Paris, France, to English parents, Jacqueline Luesby and Chris Watson, both lawyers. She moved to Oxfordshire when she was five, where she attended the Dragon School. From the age of six, Emma knew that she wanted to be an actress and, for a number of years.

Emma’s university plans and apparent involvement in various projects and probably her love life has derailed her career as of now.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Jacob Radcliffe was born on July 23, 1989 in Fulham, London, England, to casting agent Marcia Gresham (née Jacobson) and literary agent Alan Radcliffe. His father is from a Northern Irish Protestant background, while his mother was born in South Africa, to a Jewish family. He was the face of Harry Potter movies.

But he is not the cute boy he once was. Moreover, his acting skills are quite limited.

Few actors in the world have had a career quite as diverse as Leonardo DiCaprio’s. DiCaprio has gone from relatively humble beginnings, as a supporting cast member of the sitcom Growing Pains (1985) and low budget horror movies, such as Critters 3 (1991), to a major teenage heartthrob in the 1990s. He went on to star in many Oscar winning movies and has won one himself.

But his rise meant he became a bit selective and is sought by big franchises only.

In 1976, if you had told fourteen-year-old Franciscan seminary student Thomas Cruise Mapother IV that one day in the not too distant future he would be Tom Cruise, one of the top 100 movie stars of all time, he would have probably grinned and told you that his ambition was to join the priesthood. Scientology and closeness to his Mission impossible team meant he was blacklisted by the rest.

An actor and producer known as much for his versatility as he is for his handsome face, Golden Globe-winner Brad Pitt’s most widely recognized role may be Tyler Durden in Fight Club (1999). However, his portrayals of Billy Beane in Moneyball (2011), and Rusty Ryan in the remake of Ocean’s Eleven. His womanizing bit hurt is his career and now he is out of work.

Considered to be one of the most pivotal stars of the early days of Hollywood, Charlie Chaplin lived an interesting life both in his films and behind the camera. He is most recognized as an icon of the silent film era, often associated with his popular character, the Little Tramp. He was also a bit loose on his character and hence did not get many project.

The rise of movies with sound also meant his career was practically over.

Morgan Freeman

With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this ever popular American actor has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. The young Freeman had a difficult rise to stardom, but he flourished, especially after Shawshank Redemption.

But he married his granddaughter committing incest, so he is not a part of big banners now.

Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born in Concord, California, to Janet Marylyn (Frager), a hospital worker, and Amos Mefford Hanks, an itinerant cook. His mother’s family, originally surnamed “Fraga”, was entirely Portuguese, while his father was of mostly English ancestry. He has been an Academy Award winner and a celebrated actor.

Tom has now concentrated his efforts on select projects, especially voiceovers, which has resulted in most of the producers shunning him.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Michael Jackman is an Australian actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer and producer. Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as superhero, period, and romance characters. He is best known for his long-running role as Wolverine in the X-Men film.

He is now only an comic book hero.

Matt Damon

Matthew Paige Damon was born on October 8, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Kent Damon, a stockbroker, realtor and tax preparer, and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, an early childhood education professor at Lesley University. Matt has an older brother, Kyle, a sculptor. He has won an Oscar for Good Will Hunting and has a lot of commendable work under his belt.

So he shies from new work and as a result, producers shy from him.

Sylvester Stallone

This athletically built, dark-haired American actor/screenwriter/director may never be mentioned by old-school film critics in the same breath as, say, Richard Burton or Alec Guinness; however, movie fans worldwide have been flocking to see Stallone’s films for over 30 years. But Sly is only limited to movies he would direct and produce, so he also is in the blacklist.

Will Smith

Willard Carroll “Will” Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music.

In April 2007, Newsweek called him “the most powerful actor in Hollywood”. Smith has been nominated for five Golden Globes. Despite being super-successful, Will and his son Jaden’s eccentric approach to life has made them blacklisted.

Clint Eastwood was born May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, the son of Clinton Eastwood Sr., a bond salesman and later manufacturing executive for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Ruth Wood, a housewife turned IBM operator. He had a comfortable, middle-class upbringing in nearby Piedmont. Clint is way too old to be a part of big banners now.

A tall, strikingly attractive blue-eyed natural blonde, Cameron Diaz was born in 1972 in San Diego, the daughter of a Cuban-American father and a German mother. Self described as “adventurous, independent and a tough kid,” Cameron left home at 16 and for the next 5 years lived in such varied circumstances. She gained fame for Jim Carrey’s Mask and also for Charlie’s Angels.

But she has retired, so she has made it to the Hollywood Blacklist.

George Timothy Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Nina Bruce (née Warren), a former beauty pageant queen, and Nick Clooney, a former anchorman and television host (who was also the brother of singer Rosemary Clooney). He has Irish, English, and German ancestry. Clooney is a known prankster and his pranks being over the top has pissed many studios

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Surprised? Steven Spielberg is a director, so how come he is on the list? One of the most influential personalities in the history of cinema, Steven Spielberg is Hollywood’s best known director and one of the wealthiest filmmakers in the world. He has an extraordinary number of commercially successful and critically acclaimed credits to his name, either as a director. But he is quite opinionated, so he has been also banned from most of the new productions

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Harrison Ford was born on July 13, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, to Dorothy (Nidelman), a radio actress, and Christopher Ford (born John William Ford), an actor turned advertising executive. His father was of Irish and German ancestry, while his maternal grandparents were Jewish emigrants from Minsk. Harrison made it big in the Star Wars and then went on to earn fame with Indiana James.

He is not interested in acting any more.

One of the greatest actors of all time, Robert De Niro was born on August 17, 1943 in Manhattan, New York City, to artists Virginia (Admiral) and Robert De Niro Sr. His paternal grandfather was of Italian descent, and his other ancestry is Irish, English, Dutch, German, and French. He was trained through multiple mediums and made it big with Godfather series and Raging Bull.

Like Ford, De Niro does not want work and feels there are no new projects to excite him.

Alfredo James “Al” ‘Pacino established himself as a film actor during one of cinema’s most vibrant decades, the 1970s, and has become an enduring and iconic figure in the world of American movies. He was born April 25, 1940 in Manhattan, New York City, to Italian-American parents. Al has been one of the most decorated actors in Hollywood, but seems to have fallen out of favor with the new generation.

Another surprise? Robert Downey Jr. has evolved into one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. With an amazing list of credits to his name, he has managed to stay new and fresh even after over four decades in the business.

Downey was born April 4, 1965 in Manhattan, New York, the son of writer, director and producer Robert Downey Sr. He was a junkie for most of his life and even went to prison. But he made it big with Avengers and Marvel Studios as Ironman. However, his nose poking and hobnobbing with the student biggies has resulted in him being blacklisted.

Russell Ira Crowe was born in Wellington, New Zealand, to Jocelyn Yvonne (Wemyss) and John Alexander Crowe, both of whom catered movie sets. His maternal grandfather, Stanley Wemyss, was a cinematographer. Crowe’s recent ancestry includes Welsh (where his paternal grandfather was born, in Wrexham).

He made it big with Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind. However, he is an alcoholic who is seriously out of shape.

Liam Neeson was born on June 7, 1952 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, to Katherine (Brown), a cook, and Bernard Neeson, a school caretaker. He was raised in a Catholic household. During his early years, Liam worked as a forklift operator for Guinness, a truck driver, an assistant architect and a lot of other roles.

He was a part of Christian Bale’s Batman project and also in a lot of other popular movies. But his moody attitude has made him another banned celebrity.

Ask Kate Winslet what she likes about any of her characters, and the word “ballsy” is bound to pop up at least once. The British actress has made a point of eschewing straightforward pretty-girl parts in favor of more devilish damsels; as a result, she’s built an eclectic resume that runs the gamut. But Kate is selective about her work so she has sent the wrong signals.

American actor Mark Wahlberg is one of a handful of respected entertainers who successfully made the transition from teen pop idol to acclaimed actor. A Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee for The Departed (2006) who went on to receive positive critical reviews for his performance in The Fighter. Wahlberg being drunk most of the time and also being a racist has made him another blacklisted celebrity.

Natalie Portman is the first person born in the 1980s to have won the Academy Award for Best Actress (for Black Swan (2010)). Natalie was born Natalie Hershlag on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel. She is the only child of Avner Hershlag, a Israeli-born doctor, and Shelley Stevens.

Natalie was a part of the Star Wars Universe and has acted in many big banners. But her aging and choosiness has made her a part of the blacklist.

Pierce Brendan Brosnan was born in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, to May (Smith), a nurse, and Thomas Brosnan, a carpenter. He lived in Navan, County Meath, until he moved to England, UK, at an early age (thus explaining his ability to play men from both backgrounds convincingly). Brosnan was a regular in many Bond movies in the 1990s and 2000s.

Brosnan became a bit grumpy after the death of his first wife and now he is out of work.

The tall, handsome and muscular Scottish actor Sean Connery is best known as the original actor to portray James Bond in the hugely successful movie franchise, starring in seven films between 1962 and 1983. Some believed that such a career-defining role might leave him unable to escape it. So he was just only Bond.

Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Copeland Bloom was born on January 13, 1977 in Canterbury, Kent, England. His mother, Sonia Constance Josephine Bloom (née Copeland), was born in Kolkata, India, to an English family then-resident there. The man he first knew as his father, Harry Bloom, was a legendary military personnel.

After Lord of the Rings, he did not star in any big project, but then he just disappeared into the oblivion. No blacklisting here.

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known as The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). His father, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, is black.

Dwayne Rock Johnson was a big WWE star and then he made it big in Hollywood, especially in Disney and Fast and Furious franchise. But he chases studios with big bucks, so he is a banned property for the rest

Hong Kong’s cheeky, lovable and best known film star, Jackie Chan endured many years of long, hard work and multiple injuries to establish international success after his start in Hong Kong’s manic martial arts cinema industry. Jackie made it big with Rush Hour. But he is injury prone so he is just an insurance disaster.

He is also located in Hong Kong, so he is just ignored.

Angelina Jolie is an Academy Award-winning actress who rose to fame after her role in Girl, Interrupted (1999), playing the title role in the “Lara Croft” blockbuster movies, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Wanted (2008), Salt (2010) and Maleficent (2014).

Off-screen, Jolie has become a mess because of her divorce with Brad Pitt. She is being avoided for this reason only. Her looks are also on the downward spiral.

Adam Richard Sandler was born September 9, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, to Judith (Levine), a teacher at a nursery school, and Stanley Alan Sandler, an electrical engineer. He is of Russian Jewish descent. At 17, he took his first step towards becoming a stand-up comedian when he spontaneously took to slapstick comedy.

But now people are bored with his monotonous brand of humor.

Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born on November 22, 1984 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Her mother, Melanie Sloan is from a Jewish family from the Bronx and her father, Karsten Johansson is a Danish-born architect from Copenhagen. She has a sister, Vanessa Johansson, who is also an actress.

She has made it big with Avengers and is now a Marvel Studios property

When hunky, twenty-year-old heart-throb Heath Ledger first came to the attention of the public in 1999, it was all too easy to tag him as a “pretty boy” and an actor of little depth. He spent several years trying desperately to sway this image, but this was a double-edged sword. His work comprised intense scenes and he was a method actor.

His addiction didn’t help things either.

Anne Jacqueline Hathaway was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Kate McCauley Hathaway, an actress, and Gerald T. Hathaway, a lawyer, both originally from Philadelphia. She is of mostly Irish descent, along with English, German, and French.

Her first major role came in the short-lived television series. Then she scored big with Princess Diaries. But what is the reason for her ban. She has a positive image with her fans which have made her a big casting problem.

Jessica Marie Alba was born on April 28, 1981, in Pomona, CA, to Catherine (Jensen) and Mark David Alba, who served in the US Air Force. Her father is of Mexican descent (including Spanish and Indigenous Mexican roots), and her mother has Danish, Welsh, English, and French ancestry. She was a part of the Fantastic Four team and has many other notable roles.

But she doesn’t want to act now and wants to focus on her business and family.

American actor, filmmaker and activist Edward Harrison Norton was born on August 18, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was raised in Columbia, Maryland. His mother, Lydia Robinson “Robin” (Rouse), was a foundation executive and teacher of English, and a daughter of famed real estate developer. He has been a part of many big projects like The Hulk and The Fight Club.

But like Willis, he pokes his nose in matter in which he should not. So he also made it to the blacklist.

Keira Christina Knightley was born March 26, 1985 in the South West Greater London suburb of Richmond. She is the daughter of actor Will Knightley and actress turned playwright Sharman Macdonald. An older brother, Caleb Knightley, was born in 1979.

She has a recipe for being banned as she is not beautiful and is too apparently English for her roles.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Charles Cooper was born on January 5, 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother, Gloria (Campano), is of Italian descent, and worked for a local NBC station. His father, Charles John Cooper, who was of Irish descent, was a stockbroker.

Bradley is a romantic hero and has a chocolate boy image which provides him limited casting offers.

Will Ferrell

John William Ferrell was born in Irvine, California, to Betty Kay (Overman), a teacher, and Roy Lee Ferrell, Jr., a musician. His parents were originally from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Ferrell became interested in performing while a student.

He has his own intellectual brand of humor and that has been his problem area as well.

Julia Roberts

Julia Fiona Roberts never dreamed she would become the most popular actress in America. She was born in Smyrna, Georgia, to Betty Lou (Bredemus) and Walter Grady Roberts, one-time actors and playwrights, and is of English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, German, and Swedish descent. She is an icon in Hollywood and is quite selective, so she is rarely seen.

Daniel Craig

One of the British theatre’s most famous faces, Daniel Craig, who waited tables as a struggling teenage actor with the National Youth Theatre, has gone on to star as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021). Craig has the image of Bond which he needs to break out of otherwise, he will be ignored and blacklisted.

Widely regarded as one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native Great Britain and internationally, twice nominated for the Oscar and recipient of every major theatrical award in the UK and US, Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25, 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to Margery. He acted as Magento in X-Men and as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series. However, he is not interested in work and finds it hard to break from the magical image of Gandalf the Grey.

Halle Maria Berry was born Maria Halle Berry on August 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio to Judith Ann Hawkins, a psychiatric nurse & Jerome Jesse Berry, a hospital attendant. Halle has an older sister, Heidi Berry. Halle first came into the spotlight at seventeen years when she won the Miss Teen.

She was the Catwoman and also a Bond Girl. But her health is not upto the mark and she is also not as pretty and hot as she was earlier.

Bruce Willis

Actor and musician Bruce Willis is well known for playing wisecracking or hard-edged characters, often in spectacular action films. Collectively, he has appeared in films that have grossed in excess of $2.5 billion USD, placing him in the top ten stars in terms of box office receipts. Bruce has a habit of advising his directors and other actors and as a result, he is now in the blacklisted category.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is an American producer and highly prolific actor, having appeared in over 100 films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Shaft (2000), Formula 51 (2001), Black Snake Moan (2006), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005).

He’s not blacklisted but is out of work because of his association with Warner Bros. who book him exclusively. Being a top shot makes him a bit choosy also, so he is not seen in many movies.

Ben Stiller

Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller was born on November 30, 1965, in New York City, New York, to legendary comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. His father was of Austrian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent, and his mother was of Irish Catholic descent (she converted to Judaism). This could be attributed with his eccentric behavior on sets, so he has no backing from big studios despite delivering hits both as a director and an actor.

Tommy Lee Jones was born in San Saba, Texas, the son of Lucille Marie (Scott), a police officer and beauty shop owner, and Clyde C. Jones, who worked on oil fields. Tommy himself worked in underwater construction and on an oil rig.

He attended St. Mark’s School of Texas, a prestigious prep school and has been attending fine institutions. So his level of performance is intense. But he is old school and these are changing times, so he has been blacklisted.

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas, one of Spain’s most famous faces, was a soccer player until breaking his foot at the age of fourteen; he is now an international film star known for playing Zorro in the eponymous film series. He was born José Antonio Domínguez Banderas on August 10, 1960, in Málaga, Andalusia. His Zorro stint has been top grosser and Banderas was one of the producers so he has reaped rich rewards and is choosy whom he works with, so he has been banned by many Hollywood studios.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia.

Denzel is one of the most decorated black actors in Hollywood, but is not bankable as of now so he has been sort of banned from big budget films.

Steve Carell

Steve Carell, one of America’s most versatile comics, was born Steven John Carell on August 16, 1962, in Concord, Massachusetts. He is the son of Harriet Theresa (Koch), a psychiatric nurse, and Edwin A. Carell, an electrical engineer.

His mother was of Polish descent and his father of Italian roots. His intellectual roles and TV stint has left him a lot of money and he is not interested in working any more, so he has been banned for it.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia Saide LaBeouf was born in Los Angeles, California, to Shayna (Saide) and Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf, and is an only child. His mother is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, while his father has Cajun (French) ancestry. His parents are divorced.

He started his career by doing stand-up comedy around the town and then graduated to big leagues until he got his big break in Transformers. But his unprofessional behavior has been his undoing. In fact, he is jobless as of now.

Megan Fox

Megan Denise Fox was born on May 16, 1986 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to Gloria Darlene Tonachio (née Cisson), a real estate manager and Franklin Thomas Fox, a parole officer; she was raised in Rockwood, Tennessee during her early childhood. She began her drama and dance training at age 5 and at age 10 and went on to shine in mnay movies. But her unprofessional behavior has been the reason behind her downward spiral in career.

Known for his breakthrough starring role on Freaks and Geeks (1999), James Franco was born April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California, to Betsy Franco, a writer, artist, and actress, and Douglas Eugene “Doug” Franco, who ran a Silicon Valley business. Franco has multiple counts of sexual assault and as a result banned from many studios.

Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson was born January 3, 1956 in Peekskill, New York, USA, as the sixth of eleven children of Hutton Gibson, a railroad brakeman, and Anne Patricia (Reilly) Gibson (who died in December of 1990). He has acted in Oscar-winning movie, The Patriot. But his alcoholism, controversial statements and odd movies like The Passion of Christ has turned the movie market against him.