Matthew McConaughey operates in a thoughtful lane that feels increasingly rare in Hollywood. He's critical of the industry's tendency to alienate moderates and conservatives right out of the gate with left-leaning opening statements. Instead of picking a side, he focuses on issues like civic respect and gun legislation, all while seriously considering a political future built on his own brand of personal conviction, not party affiliation. | © Apple TV
Sylvester Stallone isn't shy about where his political admiration lies, famously introducing Donald Trump as the second George Washington. His full-throated endorsement at a post-election gala places him firmly in the small camp of old-guard Hollywood A-listers who openly back Trump. Stallone's support isn't new, but his recent, grandiose praise cements his break from the industry's typical political script. | © Lionsgate Films
Robert Davi is a vocal conservative in Hollywood who believes his politics have cost him roles. He's openly worried that his outspoken support for figures like Donald Trump could keep him out of the planned Goonies sequel, a franchise he loves. Davi champions free speech over political correctness and sees himself as part of a pushback against the industry's prevailing norms, even if it comes at a professional price. | © MGM
Zachary Levi has openly criticized what he sees as a decline in Hollywood productions. He expressed frustration that many scripts now put agenda-driven messaging ahead of compelling narrative, which alienates audiences. Levi actively champions supporting projects that return to fundamental entertainment and character-driven plots. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Mark Wahlberg maintains a blue-collar, regular-guy persona that feels worlds away from typical Hollywood glamour. He's openly devout, prioritizes his faith and family, and his political leanings are quietly conservative, evidenced by his friendly past with Donald Trump. Wahlberg seems genuinely uninterested in the spotlight or industry politics, preferring to focus on his work and his tight-knit circle from back home. | © Netflix
Clint Eastwood is a Hollywood legend who has never hidden his disdain for political correctness. He famously spoke to an empty chair at the 2012 Republican convention, a surreal moment that captured his independent, no-nonsense attitude. Eastwood has voiced support for figures like Donald Trump, agreeing that many people are tired of walking on eggshells, which firmly places him outside the industry's mainstream political bubble. | © United Artists
Arnold Schwarzenegger has always charted his own political course, even within his own party. As a Republican former governor of California, he's publicly clashed with figures like Donald Trump and expressed despair over the party's direction, comparing it to the Titanic. His vision is a more open, moderate conservatism that often feels out of step with both current political extremes and Hollywood's typical leanings. | © Netflix
Tim Allen stands out in Hollywood for his open conservative views, which he doesn't shy away from discussing. He's even drawn controversial parallels, once comparing the experience of being a Republican in the entertainment industry to living in 1930s Germany. Allen calls himself a political anarchist, a label that perfectly captures his tendency to buck the expected liberal trend of his industry. | © Paramount
Sharon Osbourne made it clear she wouldn't toe the Hollywood line during a dramatic 2021 episode of The Talk. She fiercely defended friend Piers Morgan's criticism of Meghan Markle, leading to an on-air blowup where she framed herself as the victim. That moment cost her her co-hosting job, but she's since used her platform to consistently attack woke culture and its language, cementing her break from industry orthodoxy. | © The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan / YouTube
Henry Cavill has never been one to blindly follow Hollywood's expected social commentary. He voiced skeptical, traditionalist views on modern gender dynamics, like questioning double standards in street harassment, that clearly diverge from the industry's progressive norm. While this has drawn criticism, it underscores a willingness to voice unpopular opinions that don't fit the mainstream opinion. | © Netflix
Laurence Fox torpedoed his mainstream acting career by bluntly rejecting what he saw as woke narratives. His dismissal of claims that Meghan Markle faced racism during a 2020 TV debate sparked major backlash and cost him his agency. Instead of backing down, Fox leaned in, founding an anti-woke political party and using his new GB News platform to double down on his controversial views, regardless of the professional consequences. | © Laurence Fox / YouTube
Elon Musk has made it his mission to fight Hollywood's "woke" culture head-on. He calls himself a free-speech absolutist and spends more time in the culture wars than almost any other billionaire, which constantly puts him at odds with the industry's liberal leanings. From his takeover of Twitter to his controversial public gestures, he seems to enjoy poking the bear, framing any backlash as proof of his point. | © PowerfulJRE / YouTube
Mel Gibson's career is a long testament to refusing the Hollywood playbook, both professionally and personally. For decades, he's voiced contentious conservative and religious views that starkly contrast with the industry's prevailing culture. Even after public controversies and fallout, he's doubled down, aligning himself with anti-woke figures and continuing to make films his own way. | © Lionsgate Films
Kanye West has repeatedly shown he has zero interest in following rules or a public relations playbook. His incendiary appearances and social media rants, including a widely condemned interview on InfoWars, directly challenge mainstream industry norms and sensibilities. This deliberate provocation has cost him major corporate partnerships and platforms, but he continues to voice his controversial views. | © PowerfulJRE / YouTube
Piers Morgan is built on not following the Hollywood script. His very public fallout with Meghan Markle cemented his role as a critic of what he sees as celebrity hypocrisy and woke culture. He’s so committed to this contrarian stance that he famously walked off his own TV show rather than back down, and now hosts a program literally called “Uncensored” to say what others won't. | © Piers Morgan Uncensored / YouTube
Not every celebrity follows the same script. In an industry often associated with a particular worldview, some stars consistently buck the trend, voicing opinions that defy Hollywood's expected narrative. Here are 15 who chart their own course.
