Paramount Blacklist List: Which Actors Have Reportedly Made the List for Supporting Palestine?
Paramount reportedly maintains a blacklist of stars who have expressed support for Palestine, potentially leading to bans for actors like Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, and Joaquin Phoenix. The studio behind major films like Top Gun is said to have a “list of talent it will not work with.”
Criteria for Blacklisting
According to Variety, the blacklist includes individuals deemed “xenophobic,” “homophobic,” or “overly antisemitic.” Paramount has publicly criticized A-listers who signed an open letter calling for a boycott of Israeli film institutions. The studio condemned this action as “silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality.”
“Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality.” (Paramount statement via Variety)
In response, Film Workers for Palestine clarified that their focus is on organizations and companies, not individual Israelis.
Actors Reportedly on the Blacklist
- Javier Bardem: Known for his outspoken stance on Palestine, Bardem made a visible political statement at the 2025 Emmy Awards by wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Middle-Eastern scarf and symbol of Palestinian support.
- Mark Ruffalo: Also recognized for openly supporting Palestinian causes.
- Joaquin Phoenix: Reportedly included for similar reasons.
Symbolism of the Keffiyeh
The keffiyeh, which Bardem wore at a major awards event, has increasingly become a powerful emblem of solidarity with Palestine in recent years.
“The keffiyeh is a traditional Middle-Eastern scarf that has become a symbol of support for Palestine over the last couple of years.”
Summary
Paramount’s alleged blacklist targets high-profile actors who have supported Palestine, sparking controversy over freedom of expression within the industry and the boundaries of political activism.
Author’s summary: Paramount faces criticism for excluding actors supporting Palestine, reflecting tensions between political views and entertainment industry collaborations.