Paramount Has Blacklisted These 15 Great Actors

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - November 7th 2025, 15:30 GMT+1

Emma Stone poor things — Emma Stone

Hollywood loves Emma Stone – audiences, critics, award shows – everyone. Yet, even the most beloved names can find themselves quietly distanced when they don’t play the PR game the studio way. Stone has never been one to mute her opinions, especially when it comes to supporting progressive or humanitarian causes, which has reportedly made her less of a favorite in certain boardrooms. Paramount, in particular, seems to have cooled on working with actors who take outspoken public stances that might spark controversy. But Stone’s talent and charm transcend corporate politics – she’s already proven she doesn’t need anyone’s permission to keep shining. | © Searchlight Pictures (*Poor Things*)

Cropped javier bardem no country for old men — Javier Bardem

It’s not hard to imagine why Javier Bardem might make a few executives uncomfortable – passion like his doesn’t exactly fit neatly into Hollywood’s PR handbook. Both he and Penélope Cruz have been vocal in their pro-Palestinian views, and that hasn’t exactly won them friends among the big studios. Paramount appears to be among those quietly stepping back, perhaps wary of the headlines. But Bardem’s acting – raw, fearless, magnetic – speaks louder than any controversy ever could. If speaking your mind gets you blacklisted, then Bardem’s doing something right. | © Miramax (*No Country for Old Men*)

Olivia Colman the crown — Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman has a knack for making every character – from royalty to everyday misfit – feel deeply human. But it’s her *real-life* honesty that makes her so compelling, even when that honesty makes the industry squirm. The British star has expressed solidarity with Palestine and hasn’t shied away from speaking her truth, no matter how it lands in Hollywood. Paramount, always image-conscious, seems less eager to align itself with actors unafraid to step outside the corporate comfort zone. Still, Colman’s reputation for integrity and talent remains untouchable – and audiences know it. | © Netflix (*The Crown*)

Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider Man — Andrew Garfield

There’s a sincerity to Andrew Garfield that’s almost disarming – he means what he says, and he says it with his whole chest. That’s rare in Hollywood, where silence is often the safer route. Garfield has voiced empathy for Palestinians and called for compassion in one of the industry’s most polarized moments, which may have cooled his relationship with certain major studios. Paramount’s distance feels less like coincidence and more like corporate risk management. But Garfield’s fans – and his filmography – remind everyone that conscience and career don’t have to be mutually exclusive. | © Sony Pictures (*The Amazing Spider-Man*)

Cropped Mark Ruffalo avengers endgame — Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo has long been one of Hollywood’s most outspoken voices on human rights, climate change, and now, Palestine. His activism is part of who he is, even when it puts him at odds with powerful institutions. Paramount, like several other studios, appears to be steering clear of actors who refuse to stay apolitical – a quiet form of blacklisting that’s all too familiar. But Ruffalo’s integrity has only strengthened his connection with audiences. He’s proof that standing for something bigger than yourself can still coexist with blockbuster success. | © Marvel Studios (*Avengers: Endgame*)

Cropped Joaquin Phoenix Joker 2019 — Joaquin Phoenix

No one embodies artistic defiance quite like Joaquin Phoenix. He’s unpredictable, uncompromising, and gloriously uninterested in Hollywood decorum – a combination that makes studios both admire and fear him. Phoenix has used his platform to challenge corporate hypocrisy and speak out against injustice, including publicly voicing support for Palestine. Paramount, never one to court controversy, seems hesitant to associate with someone so unwilling to play by PR rules. But honestly, that’s exactly what makes Phoenix magnetic: he’s not a studio product – he’s the reminder that true art isn’t supposed to be polite. | © Warner Bros. (*Joker*)

Cropped tilda swinton the eternal daughter — Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton operates in a league of her own – part avant-garde icon, part cinematic shapeshifter. She’s long been a voice for empathy and global awareness, and like many of her peers, she’s expressed solidarity with Palestine during a time when Hollywood powerhouses prefer silence. If that’s what put her on Paramount’s unofficial blacklist, it says more about the system than about her. Swinton’s career thrives on risk, individuality, and art that transcends politics – precisely the qualities studios claim to celebrate, until it gets uncomfortable. And let’s be real: she’ll always be ten steps ahead of corporate Hollywood anyway. | © A24 (*The Eternal Daughter*)

Cropped Ayo Edebiri the bear — Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri is one of the brightest rising stars in Hollywood – sharp, funny, and refreshingly real. But being outspoken, even slightly, can still make waves in an industry that loves to say it supports “authentic voices” until those voices get political. Edebiri has aligned herself with humanitarian causes and been part of public discussions around Palestine and justice, sparking quiet tension in certain corners of the business. If Paramount is keeping her at arm’s length, it’s a short-sighted move. She’s the kind of fearless, self-aware talent that represents the future – not the problem. | © FX (*The Bear*)

Cropped brian cox succession — Brian Cox

Blunt, brilliant, and allergic to nonsense – Brian Cox is everything you’d expect from someone who’s spent decades mastering the art of authority. But he’s also fiercely political, calling out hypocrisy both in Hollywood and abroad, and he’s been openly critical of Western complicity in the violence against Palestinians. Those comments, while admired by many, reportedly didn’t sit well with more conservative circles – Paramount among them. Cox doesn’t mince words, and he doesn’t apologize for them either. And honestly, that’s the kind of honesty the film world could use more of. | © HBO (*Succession*)

Cropped elliot page the umbrella academy — Elliot Page

Elliot Page has been challenging Hollywood norms since day one, both on-screen and off. As one of the most outspoken voices for equality and justice in the industry, Page’s activism has occasionally clashed with corporate caution, especially when it comes to politically sensitive issues like Palestine. Paramount’s rumored decision to quietly avoid working with him reflects a troubling pattern of studios prioritizing optics over integrity. But Page continues to redefine what it means to be an artist in control of their own narrative – and their courage keeps paving the way for others to speak up too. | © Netflix (*The Umbrella Academy*)

Cropped Guy Pearce memento — Guy Pearce

Hollywood has always struggled with actors who think for themselves – and Guy Pearce fits that mold perfectly. Never one to chase trends or filter his opinions, Pearce’s willingness to discuss complex issues, including his nuanced public comments about free expression and political divides, has made him a lightning rod at times. While some studios, Paramount among them, seem wary of unpredictability, Pearce’s honesty is exactly what gives his performances such bite. He doesn’t do diplomacy; he does depth – and audiences respect that far more than any corporate talking point. | © Warner Bros. (*Memento*)

Joe Alwyn Conversations with Friends — Joe Alwyn

There’s something quietly radical about the way Joe Alwyn handles fame – understated, articulate, and unafraid to align with humanitarian causes when others stay silent. His name has surfaced among artists showing support for Palestinians, a stance that, in today’s tense Hollywood climate, can still carry professional consequences. Paramount’s reluctance to associate with politically vocal talent seems to fit that familiar pattern. But Alwyn’s measured intelligence and careful career choices suggest he’s playing the long game. Some actors chase approval; others, like him, earn respect. | © Amazon Studios (*Conversations with Friends*)

Liam cunningham game of thrones — Liam Cunningham

Anyone who’s seen *Game of Thrones* knows Liam Cunningham doesn’t shy away from boldness – on-screen or off. The Irish actor has been outspoken in his criticism of injustice, including his vocal solidarity with Palestine, a position that’s earned him admiration from fans but distance from more cautious studios. Paramount appears to be part of that silent distancing act, choosing brand safety over conviction. But Cunningham’s reputation for authenticity and courage means he’ll never lack meaningful work – the kind built on substance, not silence. | © HBO (*Game of Thrones*)

Cropped Riz Ahmed sound of metal — Riz Ahmed

It’s hard to think of a modern actor who embodies both artistry and activism as seamlessly as Riz Ahmed. His advocacy for marginalized voices – particularly Palestinians and Muslims in Western media – has set him apart as one of Hollywood’s most important truth-tellers. That same bravery, though, has made some corporations uneasy, and Paramount’s absence from his recent projects feels telling. Still, Ahmed’s voice carries far beyond red carpets and press junkets. He’s redefining success in a system that too often punishes conscience – and audiences are absolutely here for it. | © Amazon Studios (*Sound of Metal*)

Ebon Moss Bachrach the bear — Ebon Moss-Bachrach

If there’s one thing that makes Ebon Moss-Bachrach stand out, it’s his refusal to play the Hollywood game. Best known for his raw, unpredictable energy on *The Bear*, he’s also joined the growing chorus of actors expressing solidarity with Palestine – a move that some studios, reportedly including Paramount, have treated with quiet hesitation. But Moss-Bachrach has built his career on authenticity, not approval. Whether he’s playing chaos or compassion, his work radiates the same thing his politics do: honesty without apology. | © FX (*The Bear*)

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Hollywood has always loved a comeback story – except when it doesn’t. Over the years, Paramount Pictures has quietly built a reputation for cutting ties with actors whose opinions, politics, or personal choices didn’t fit the studio’s preferred narrative. Whether you call it corporate caution or cultural censorship, one thing’s certain: some seriously talented performers have found themselves on the wrong side of the studio gate.

Now, before anyone gets too defensive, this isn’t about excusing bad behavior or justifying hate speech. It’s about recognizing the fine line between accountability and blacklisting – and how easily public perception can be shaped by headlines and PR spin. These actors may be off Paramount’s radar, but their artistry and influence still echo loudly through Hollywood.