Blacklisted Actors: Where Are They Now?

Hollywood has a long history of pushing people to the sidelines when controversy or power struggles flare up. Some performers call it an unofficial blacklist while others describe long stretches when the phone simply stopped ringing.

Many found fresh starts on streaming shows and independent films. Others moved into producing, directing, writing, or stage work. A few leaned into advocacy and education while building companies and podcasts. Here is what they have been doing and where you can find their work now.

Brendan Fraser

Fraser rebuilt his career after years away from major studio projects. He worked in television and independent films and then returned to prestige roles that brought him back to large audiences. He continues to sign on for character driven projects while keeping ties to genre work that first made him a household name.

Outside of acting he supports film preservation efforts and participates in festival programming. He attends retrospectives of his earlier films and engages with fan communities that track restored prints and anniversary screenings.

Mira Sorvino

Sorvino spoke openly about career retaliation and pivoted to independent features and international productions. She stayed visible with recurring television roles and built a steady slate of festival titles that kept her working throughout the 2010s and 2020s.

She also advocates for human rights and anti trafficking initiatives and frequently appears at panels and campus events. Her producing work includes documentaries and scripted projects that prioritize social impact and opportunities for women on set.

Ashley Judd

Judd continued to split time between acting and advocacy after reporting professional retaliation. She worked in ensemble thrillers and limited series while speaking at universities and policy forums.

She pursued graduate study and contributed to public health and humanitarian campaigns. She writes and lectures about gender based violence and regularly joins nonprofits for field work and fundraising.

Amber Heard

Heard addressed the professional repercussions from her high-profile defamation trial and shifted focus to independent films and theater. She starred in the supernatural thriller ‘In the Fire’ and reprised a reduced role as Mera in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ while relocating to Spain for privacy. In 2025, she returned to the stage with her first major acting role in years, starring in Jeremy O. Harris’ play ‘Spirit of the People’ at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Outside of acting, she continues her longstanding advocacy for human rights, gender justice, and anti-domestic violence efforts as an ACLU ambassador and UN Human Rights Champion. She participates in humanitarian missions, such as aiding refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, and supports campaigns for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ issues, and environmental causes. She also prioritizes family life, having welcomed twins in 2025 alongside her daughter Oonagh.

Rose McGowan

McGowan moved into books and public speaking while keeping a hand in film and music. She directed short form projects and collaborated with artists outside the studio system.

She remains active on the festival circuit with conversations about creative control and safety in the workplace. She also records long form interviews that focus on survivor resources and industry reform.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique expanded her stand up career and launched specials after years of limited studio offers. She booked club tours and theater runs and built a direct relationship with audiences.

She also returned to scripted work through streaming thrillers and dramas. Away from sets she produces podcasts and partners with promoters to develop comedy showcases for up and coming performers.

Terry Crews

Crews kept a steady presence on television while speaking about retaliation he faced for reporting misconduct. He hosted competition series and continued his long running sitcom role that boosted his reach across demographics.

He writes about fitness and resilience and collaborates with nonprofits focused on youth programs. He also creates art and exhibits paintings that connect his design background with community work.

Gina Carano

Carano shifted to independent productions after her contract on a major franchise series ended. She headlined action dramas financed outside traditional studio channels and engaged a direct to consumer audience through limited theatrical runs and digital platforms.

She also produces and develops projects with smaller companies. Public appearances often include fan conventions where she discusses stunt training, fight choreography, and fitness for screen performance.

Shannen Doherty

Doherty returned to television movies and reality programming after widely reported on set conflicts earlier in her career. She worked consistently in cable features and guest roles and continued to participate in reunions linked to her most known series.

She documented her health journey through interviews and social media updates, raising awareness and supporting fundraising efforts. She also created lifestyle content and collaborated with brands on limited-edition collections tied to charitable campaigns before passing away in 2024.

Katherine Heigl

Heigl rebuilt her screen profile through streaming dramas and romantic projects after a period of reduced studio interest. She secured lead roles in series that gained strong binge audiences and helped reposition her in long form storytelling.

She co produces many of her projects and works from Utah while balancing family life. Her animal rescue work includes fostering and fundraising and she collaborates with shelters on spay and neuter initiatives.

Winona Ryder

Ryder reestablished a high profile with a hit streaming series after years of fewer offers. The show renewed her visibility and led to appearances in fashion and brand campaigns alongside select film roles.

She curates art and design projects and lends support to archives that preserve film costumes and props. She also consults on period details for productions that draw on her experience with vintage wardrobes and classic cinema.

James Woods

Woods has said his political views limited casting opportunities and he shifted toward voice acting and occasional television appearances. He participates in independent films and chooses projects that fit shorter shooting schedules.

He maintains a strong presence on social media and in investor circles. He mentors student filmmakers through guest lectures and provides script notes for small production teams that approach him directly.

Mel Gibson

Gibson returned to directing and acting after a long stretch outside major studio work. He focused on independently financed films and supporting roles that allowed him to work steadily without large studio infrastructure.

He also produces projects that pair experienced crews with emerging talent. He participates in international co productions and uses flexible budgets that rely on tax incentives and presales to complete financing.

Jim Caviezel

Caviezel reported that certain studios closed doors after a high profile role early in his career. He continued working in television with a successful procedural that ran for several seasons and broadened his audience.

He appears in faith driven and action oriented features and maintains an active speaking schedule with community groups and conferences. He collaborates with small distributors that specialize in targeted theatrical releases and church based outreach.

Isaiah Washington

Washington described losing opportunities after controversy on a network drama. He later booked a key part in a science fiction series that ran multiple seasons and restored his screen presence.

He directs and produces independent features and participates in film education programs. He engages with historically Black colleges and universities to support student storytellers and low budget productions.

Corey Feldman

Feldman has long said that speaking out about industry abuse cost him roles. He built a career around documentaries, reality projects, and music tours that connect directly with fans.

He releases independent albums and performs live shows that blend performance with storytelling. He also organizes charity events and collaborates with survivor support organizations on awareness campaigns.

Roseanne Barr

Barr returned to stand up and specials after her network series was canceled. She tours theaters and clubs and releases sets through digital platforms that let her reach audiences without network backing.

She produces podcasts and interviews comedians about the business side of touring. She also experiments with pay per view events that bundle meet and greet packages and merchandise drops.

Charlie Sheen

Sheen stepped away from major network leads after a widely publicized exit. He continued acting in cable comedies and independent films and developed projects with friends from earlier series.

He works with recovery groups and speaks at events focused on health and accountability. He also consults on sitcom development and participates in table reads for pilot scripts that aim to capture classic multi camera rhythms.

Lori Loughlin

Loughlin resumed acting in television movies after completing legal obligations tied to the college admissions case. She found work with cable networks that specialize in family oriented programming.

She volunteers with community organizations and supports scholarships that help students who need financial aid. She appears at fan conventions and charity telethons that highlight education and second chance efforts.

Kevin Spacey

Spacey stepped away from American studio projects after multiple allegations and legal battles. He worked primarily in Europe with stage appearances and roles in independent films financed outside the studio system.

He participates in acting workshops and readings and supports small theaters through fundraising events. He also records voice work and narrations for projects that require limited on set time.

Armie Hammer

Hammer withdrew from high profile projects after public allegations that impacted his career. He kept a low profile while focusing on personal matters and private work outside the industry.

He has since explored creative consulting and development work that does not require on screen appearances. He maintains connections with producers and directors who monitor potential paths for future collaborations.

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