Actors Who Were Fired For Harassment

The entertainment industry has undergone a major transformation in how it handles workplace safety and professional accountability over the last several years. Numerous male performers have faced immediate termination from major projects following reports of harassment or sexual misconduct. These decisions are typically made by studios and networks to protect the integrity of their productions and the safety of their employees. This shift marks a significant departure from previous decades when such behavior was often overlooked or addressed behind closed doors. The following list identifies actors who lost significant roles after their conduct became a matter of public record or internal investigation.

Kevin Spacey

Netflix terminated its relationship with the lead actor of ‘House of Cards’ following numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Production on the final season was halted while writers restructured the narrative to remove his character. The streaming service also scrapped the release of the completed film ‘Gore’ starring the actor. These decisions followed a public investigation into his behavior on and off the set of the political drama.

Danny Masterson

The actor was written out of the Netflix comedy series ‘The Ranch’ after multiple allegations of sexual assault surfaced against him. His character was removed from the show during its third season to address the serious nature of the claims. The production company stated that the decision was made after discussions with the individuals involved. This move effectively ended his long standing partnership with the streaming platform.

Jeffrey Tambor

Amazon Studios dismissed the lead performer from the series ‘Transparent’ after an internal investigation into harassment claims. Two members of the production team came forward with accounts of inappropriate behavior on the set. The actor denied the allegations but expressed regret if any of his actions were misinterpreted. The show continued for a final feature length musical episode without his involvement.

Chris Noth

CBS announced that the actor would no longer film episodes for ‘The Equalizer’ following public accusations of sexual assault. His character was removed from the series shortly after the allegations became widespread in the media. Agencies and brands also severed ties with him as part of the fallout from these reports. The actor maintained that the encounters were consensual but the network moved forward with his termination.

Hartley Sawyer

The actor was fired from the television series ‘The Flash’ after a series of offensive and derogatory social media posts resurfaced. Producers cited the hateful nature of the comments as the primary reason for his immediate dismissal from the superhero show. They emphasized that such behavior did not align with the values of the network or the production team. His character was subsequently written out of the storyline before the next season began.

Jeff Garlin

Following an internal investigation regarding his conduct on the set of ‘The Goldbergs’ the actor reached a mutual agreement to leave the show. Reports indicated that several crew members felt uncomfortable with his physical and verbal behavior during filming. The production continued using body doubles and archival footage to complete his character arc for the season. He later addressed the situation by stating his style of comedy did not fit the modern workplace environment.

Fred Savage

The actor and director was fired from the reboot of ‘The Wonder Years’ following allegations of inappropriate conduct. Disney conducted an investigation after multiple crew members voiced concerns regarding his behavior on the set. This dismissal marked a significant break in his long history with the franchise and the studio. The network released a statement confirming that his employment had been terminated effective immediately.

Jeremy Piven

The lead actor saw his series ‘Wisdom of the Crowd’ cancelled by CBS after several women accused him of sexual misconduct. While the network did not officially use the word fired the decision to stop production followed the public emergence of these claims. He denied all allegations of harassment and even underwent a polygraph test to prove his innocence. The show finished its initial episode order but was not picked up for further seasons.

Justin Roiland

Adult Swim cut ties with the lead voice actor of ‘Rick and Morty’ after he faced domestic violence charges. The production company announced they would recast his roles to ensure the show could continue without his involvement. Other studios including Hulu and Squanch Games also ended their professional relationships with him. Although the legal charges were later dropped for insufficient evidence the professional separations remained in place.

Cas Anvar

The actor was removed from the science fiction series ‘The Expanse’ after an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. Multiple fans and colleagues reported instances of harassment that occurred at various fan conventions and professional settings. The production company hired a third party firm to review the claims before deciding to write his character out of the show. He did not return for the final season of the critically acclaimed program.

T.J. Miller

HBO confirmed that the actor would not return to ‘Silicon Valley’ following a period of reported workplace tension and separate legal allegations. While his departure was initially framed as a mutual decision later reports highlighted issues with his professional behavior. Producers indicated that his presence had become a challenge for the rest of the cast and crew. He was also involved in a controversial legal matter that further complicated his standing in the industry.

Columbus Short

The actor lost his series regular role on the drama ‘Scandal’ following a string of legal issues and allegations of domestic violence. Show creator Shonda Rhimes moved forward with the series without his character after the public details of his personal life emerged. He issued a statement confirming his departure and thanked the cast and crew for the opportunity. The character was eventually killed off screen to finalize his exit from the narrative.

Isaiah Washington

The actor was dismissed from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ after using a homophobic slur during an on set altercation with a costar. ABC chose not to renew his contract following the public backlash and internal complaints regarding the incident. He later made a brief guest appearance years later to provide closure for his character. The firing became a major media story regarding workplace professional standards in Hollywood.

Jonathan Majors

Marvel Studios and Disney dropped the actor from future projects after he was found guilty of harassment and assault. He had previously played a central role in ‘Loki’ and ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ as the main antagonist. The studio decided to move in a different creative direction for the upcoming films in the franchise. This decision followed a highly publicized trial that impacted his entire professional career.

Frank Langella

Netflix fired the veteran actor from the miniseries ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ after a misconduct investigation. Reports suggested that he engaged in inappropriate behavior during a scene that made a costar feel uncomfortable. The production chose to recast his role entirely and reshoot his scenes with a new actor. He defended his actions in an open letter but the studio maintained its decision to terminate his contract.

Percy Hynes White

The actor did not return for the second season of the Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ following social media allegations regarding his past behavior. While no formal charges were filed the production opted to continue the story without his character. Fans and observers noted his absence when the cast list for the new season was officially announced. The actor denied the claims and described the situation as a targeted campaign against his reputation.

Louis C.K.

FX ended its long term deal with the comedian and actor after he admitted to several instances of sexual misconduct. His voice role in the animated series ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ was also recast by the production studio. Several of his upcoming film projects and television developments were cancelled immediately following his public statement. The fallout effectively removed him from mainstream entertainment for several years.

Armie Hammer

The actor was dropped from the film ‘Shotgun Wedding’ and the series ‘The Offer’ after controversial messages and allegations surfaced online. His agency and publicist also ended their representation of him as the scandal expanded. He was eventually replaced in several high profile roles that were already in development or production. This series of events led to a significant hiatus in his acting career.

Ed Westwick

The actor was replaced in the BBC adaptation of ‘Ordeal by Innocence’ after several women accused him of sexual assault. Production opted to reshoot his scenes with another actor to ensure the project could be released. He was also removed from the cast of the comedy series ‘White Gold’ during the investigation period. He was eventually cleared of charges due to insufficient evidence but the professional impact was immediate.

Bill Cosby

The legacy of ‘The Cosby Show’ was effectively erased from television schedules after numerous sexual assault allegations surfaced against the lead actor. Reruns were pulled from almost all networks and streaming services as the legal cases against him progressed. His membership in professional organizations was revoked and honorary degrees were rescinded by various universities. This represented one of the most significant professional downfalls in entertainment history.

Thomas Gibson

The actor was dismissed from the long running series ‘Criminal Minds’ after a physical altercation with a producer on set. This incident followed a history of anger management issues that had resulted in prior disciplinary actions. CBS and the production companies released a statement confirming his contract had been terminated. His character was written out of the show by being placed on a special assignment away from the team.

Kevin Clash

The longtime performer behind the character Elmo resigned from ‘Sesame Street’ following allegations of inappropriate conduct. Although he initially denied the claims the mounting legal pressure led to his departure from the organization. The production team stated that his behavior was not consistent with the values of the educational program. He had been a central part of the show for nearly three decades before the controversy occurred.

Drake Bell

The actor faced significant career consequences after pleading guilty to charges related to attempted child endangerment. His voice acting roles and public appearances were largely cancelled following the legal proceedings. While he was not on a single major series at the exact moment his future projects were terminated by various studios. The details of his conduct led to a widespread distancing from his former employers.

Mark Salling

The actor was removed from the film ‘Gods and Secrets’ after he was arrested on charges related to child pornography. Producers stated that they would excise his performance from the movie entirely and reshoot the necessary parts. This decision followed the public revelation of his legal troubles during his time on ‘Glee’. His career effectively ended as a result of the criminal investigation and subsequent guilty plea.

Charlie Sheen

Warner Bros Television terminated the actor from ‘Two and a Half Men’ citing his erratic behavior and derogatory comments about the show creator. The firing followed a series of public outbursts and concerns regarding his substance use and personal conduct. The studio issued an eleven page letter detailing the reasons for his dismissal from the hit sitcom. He was replaced by Ashton Kutcher for the remaining seasons of the show.

Shia LaBeouf

The actor was reportedly fired from the film ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ to ensure a safe set environment for the rest of the cast. Reports indicated that his acting process was not conducive to the working style of his colleagues. While he later disputed the firing by claiming he quit the production moved forward with a different actor. This occurred around the same time he faced legal allegations regarding his personal relationships.

James Franco

The actor faced professional repercussions after multiple students from his acting school accused him of sexual misconduct and exploitation. He was not cast in several projects that were in development and his public presence significantly decreased. While he completed his work on ‘The Deuce’ the show did not extend past its planned run during the controversy. He eventually reached a legal settlement with the accusers and took a break from the industry.

Stephen Collins

The actor was fired from a recurring role on ‘Scandal’ and removed from ‘Ted 2’ after he admitted to past instances of child sexual abuse. Footage of his admission was leaked to the public which led to immediate action by various television networks. Reruns of his most famous series ‘7th Heaven’ were also pulled from syndication schedules for a period of time. These revelations effectively ended his decades long career in television and film.

Jussie Smollett

The actor was removed from the final episodes of ‘Empire’ after he was accused of orchestrating a staged hate crime against himself. Producers initially supported him but changed their stance as the police investigation revealed inconsistencies in his story. His character was written out of the show to avoid distraction from the main narrative. He was later convicted on several counts of felony disorderly conduct related to the false reports.

Andrew Jackson

The actor was dismissed from the series ‘The Transporter’ following allegations of sexual harassment on the set. The production company took swift action after receiving complaints from a fellow cast member. They emphasized their commitment to providing a professional and safe working environment for all employees. He was replaced in the project as the investigation into the claims continued.

Paul Johansson

The actor and director faced an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment on the set of ‘One Tree Hill’. Reports indicated that he made several inappropriate comments to female crew members and colleagues. While the show was nearing its end the accusations impacted his future opportunities and reputation in the industry. He denied the claims but the accounts from the set were detailed by multiple sources.

Steven Seagal

The actor has been removed from several projects and professional roles following numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Many of these claims originated from his time on movie sets where actresses and assistants reported inappropriate behavior. He has faced legal challenges and public scrutiny that have limited his work in mainstream Hollywood productions. The actor has consistently denied these allegations while living primarily abroad.

Richard Dreyfuss

The actor was replaced in a London stage production after allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a colleague surfaced. Producers of the play decided to move in a different direction to maintain a professional environment for the rest of the cast. This incident added to previous historical claims regarding his conduct in professional settings. He expressed disappointment in the decision but the production continued with a new lead actor.

Michael Greco

The actor was dismissed from a theater production after allegations of harassment involving a fellow cast member became public. The theater company stated that they have a zero tolerance policy regarding any form of workplace misconduct. His role was filled by an understudy while the production sought a permanent replacement for the remainder of the run. This decision was made to protect the integrity of the performance and the safety of the crew.

Tom Sizemore

The actor was removed from various projects throughout his career due to a history of legal issues and allegations of domestic violence. Production companies frequently cited his personal conduct as a liability for their sets and filming schedules. He faced multiple arrests that led to his replacement in several film and television roles. Despite his talent his career was often overshadowed by the recurring nature of these controversies.

Terrence Howard

The actor was replaced in the ‘Iron Man’ sequel following disputes that involved both salary and reports of difficult behavior on set. While the official reason often centered on financial negotiations later accounts suggested his professional conduct played a role in the studio decision. Marvel Studios opted to recast the character of James Rhodes with Don Cheadle for the remainder of the franchise. He later expressed his frustration with the decision and the impact it had on his career.

Chris Brown

The actor was removed from several film projects and promotional deals after his conviction for domestic assault. His involvement in the movie ‘Takers’ was heavily scrutinized and he lost several future acting opportunities in mainstream cinema. Brands and production houses distanced themselves from him to avoid public backlash associated with his legal history. He has continued to work in music but his acting career in major studio films stalled significantly.

Emile Hirsch

The actor was dropped from several prospective roles after he pleaded guilty to an assault on a film executive at a festival. His agency and several production partners reevaluated their relationship with him following the violent incident. While he eventually returned to smaller independent projects the mainstream industry initially moved away from casting him. This event served as a major turning point in his professional trajectory.

Nick Cannon

The actor was fired from the long running show ‘Wild ‘n Out’ after he made offensive comments on a podcast. The media company stated that they condemn all forms of hate speech and moved to terminate their relationship with him immediately. He later issued an apology and engaged in a period of education and dialogue with community leaders. He was eventually rehired by the company after demonstrating a commitment to change.

Aziz Ansari

The actor experienced a significant career pause after an article detailed an allegation of sexual misconduct during a date. While he was not officially fired from a specific show at that moment several of his projects were put on indefinite hold. Netflix eventually moved forward with a new season of his series but the format was significantly altered. He addressed the situation in a stand up special before returning to more regular work.

Share your thoughts on how these casting changes impacted your favorite series in the comments.