Blacklist (entertainment)

In entertainment, a blacklist is a list of individuals—such as actors, writers, or directors—who are barred from working in the industry due to perceived misconduct, political beliefs, or other reasons. Historically, during periods like the Hollywood Blacklist in the 1940s and 1950s, many entertainment professionals were blacklisted for suspected communist ties, preventing them from gaining employment. Being blacklisted means companies avoid hiring or associating with these individuals, often hurting their careers. The term represents exclusion based on controversy or proven issues, impacting the person's ability to work publicly within the industry.