The Hollywood Blacklist

The Hollywood Blacklist was a period during the late 1940s and 1950s when many writers, directors, and actors in the film industry were denied work because they were accused of having communist ties or sympathies. Driven by Cold War fears and political pressure, the industry and government scrutinized individuals, leading to those suspected to be communists being blacklisted—effectively barred from employment. Many of these accusations stemmed from hearings by the House Un-American Activities Committee, which created an atmosphere of suspicion and repression, impacting careers and free expression in Hollywood for years.