Actors can't stop reminiscing about the Hollywood blacklist, so why aren't they speaking out against the new, much less improved version?
Senator Joe McCarthy's communist delusions paralyzed Hollywood in the 1950s, forcing top talent to flee and stars to silence far-left views.
Aline emailed spokespeople for Ruffalo, Nixon, Dunn, Ahmed, Common, Yousef and Phillips to find out what they think about Hollywood's unofficial blacklist targeting conservative artists.
It's no wonder that the film industry continues to revisit this era with films like “The Front,” “Guilty by Sustiction,” “The Majestic,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” and most recently, 2015's “Trumbo,” starring Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston.
Now a group of stars are warning Hollywood not to repeat the mistakes of that era by punishing artists who support Palestine.
Mark Ruffalo, Cynthia Nixon, Griffin Dunne, Riz Ahmed, Common, Busy Phillips, Ramy Yousef Signed the open letter Demanding that stars be able to voice their opinions without facing backlash from experts.
The letter called for a “permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, along with the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in the October 7 massacre. The letter argued that Palestinian “hostages” should also be released.
The letter contained another strict request.
“To denounce the McCarthyistic repression of our industry against members who acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinian people, and to dispel any doubts about our solidarity with workers, artists and oppressed peoples around the world.”
Actress Susan Sarandon, who is also named in the letter, also has a personal interest in the issue. She Lost an agent “Scream” star Melissa Barrera was not alone after her extreme anti-Israel views became public. Retired from horror series For similar reasons.
Regardless of where you stand on the Israel-Palestine debate, punishing artists for their political views is antithetical to the creative spirit of our industry and the First Amendment.
So Align reached out to the seven signatories of the letter to ask for their thoughts on another blacklist that has permeated Hollywood, one that has targeted conservative artists like James Woods, Kevin Sorbo, and Scott Baio.
Both Woods and Sorbo have been open about how their right-leaning views effectively ended their Hollywood careers. Woods, an Oscar nominee, hasn't had a major role since 2014's “Jamesy Boy.” Sorbo has produced low-budget films such as “Let There Be Right” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” primarily through his Sorbo Studios imprint.
Bio's X profile states the actor is “happily retired,” but his support for Donald Trump in 2016 made it official.
The examples are endless. A few conservatives, like Jon Voight and Tim Allen, continue to act, but they are the exception that proves the rule.
The now-defunct Friends of Abe once offered a space for conservative artists to meet in secret, network and commiserate about being silenced. Former members recall frightening exchangesOften these come from crew members who recall the backlash they received for thinking the “wrong” way in the film industry.
The Hollywood Reporter recently reported that Cheryl Hines, a liberal actress famous for “Curb Your Enthusiasm,”AvoidedShe was “lambasted” by the industry for supporting her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The former presidential candidate recently endorsed Trump.
No doubt pro-Palestinian figures are equally concerned about this alarming development.
Aline emailed publicists for Ruffalo, Nixon, Dunn, Ahmed, Common, Yousef and Phillips. What do they think about Hollywood's unofficial blacklist targeting conservative artists? Are they aware of the situation? Do you think it's fair that right-wing actors have to keep quiet to avoid professional backlash?
The PR letter was replete with examples of the blacklists in question, but no one responded to inquiries.
It's not surprising. It's an open secret that the Hollywood press occasionally acknowledges, but never questions. Last year, Emmy Award winner Alec Baldwin addressed the subject, saying:unfortunate.”
Some of the Blacklist sequels have been more readily accepted than others.
