Why have I been blackballed?" "All the producers and directors wanted me for their films,"she said. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata. If you get a job in the entertainment industry, chances are you get paid pretty well. Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. And I said, "I've been blackballed? As Robert Rich, Trumbo won an Academy Award for best screenplay for The Brave One (1956). To make matters worse, HUAC then threatened Parks with contempt if he refused to name other members, a threat that heallegedly succumbed to, naming at least one other actor, Lee J. Cobb. Many of the Hollywood Ten writers continued producing screenplays under assumed names after they were blacklisted. Crime. Judy was an only child. Carroll was previously married to Pearl MacGregor. In recent years though, the actress has been attempting a comeback. Not the way I wanted to end my 18 year relationship with FX. 10 Top Models From The '80s: What Do They Look Like Now? He recently completed work on a noir anthology graphic novel titled, "Sylvia Plaths The Bell Noir: A Rag of Bizarre Noir and Hard Boiled Tales" and hes currently toiling away on his first novel. Studio executives did not want their business to be associated with radical politics in the minds of the movie-going public and therefore agreed that they would not employ the Hollywood Ten (with the exception of Dmytryk) or anyone else suspected of being affiliated with the Communist Party. Martin Berkeley: 161 names Screenwriter (Tarantula, 1955; Revenge of the Creature, 1957)He was HUAC's all-star friendly witness for the quantity, if not the quality, of his contribution to the . The House Un-American Activities Committee was charged with investigating allegations of communist influence and subversion in the U.S. during the early years of the Cold War. Stars are made overnight and fall all the same. Whats more, you also become famous and that would help open even more doors for you. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. - AllHipHop These Actors And Actresses Have Been Blacklisted In Hollywood And Here's Why! Daniels work can be read on ScreenRant, Splitsider, Bloody Disgusting, Den of Geek, and across the Internet. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Since then, Hollywood hasnt really heard much from Washington. Her mother left later in order Burl Ives was one of six children born to a farming family in Hunt City, Jasper, Illinois, the son of Cordellia "Dellie" (White) and Levi Franklin Ives. Although she was wildly popular in her 20s and 30s, this 90s "It" girl hasn't been in a film since 2014. McGowan's roles and films were negatively affected and it did a real toil on McGowan's psychological state, too. Prior to this, Plato was reportedly causing tension onset due to her substance abuse, according to Herald Weekly. Veteran actor Mel Gibson has a long established a reputation for being controversial. She was since killed off from that show. Marsha Hunt (born Marcia Virginia Hunt; October 17, 1917 - September 7, 2022) was an American actress with a career spanning nearly 80 years. Sadly,. Her career was disrupted for a . Hoover's FBI and the American Legion swung into full gear in the mid-1950s. However, if you do something rather unforgivable, you can expect to be fired and forgotten straight away. Although popular Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s offered little evidence of an overriding Socialist agenda, the investigation proceeded. With the dawning of the Cold War, anti-communist legislators grew concerned that the movie industry could serve as a source of subversive propaganda. Jim Caviezel was seeing a decent career in film when he took on the titular role in Mel Gibsons controversial film, The Passion of the Christ. She was the talk of the town, but she took on few roles. She also later dissed her own film Knocked Up and soon, Heigl developed a reputation for being difficult. Sheens breakdown was a combination of many things, but the unstable presence that it brought forward was never sustainable. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hollywood-Ten. The actor learned this when he spoke to his agent who informed him that "the BBC regime is against" Eccleston. One of the harshest realizations that came out in the wake of theHarvey Weinstein scandal was that many of the women who were abused by Weinstein also saw their careers suffer for it. Were looking at what went wrong for these stars in the fickle world of showbusiness. All the affair rumors of the British . The film tells the story of Dalton Trumbo, who was Hollywood's top screenwriter in the 1940's until he was jailed and blacklisted for his political beliefs. He said to GQ that, work "withered on the vine for me. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me." She was blacklisted without even knowing it. The following year,The New York Times reported that Fraser "demanded and received a written apology from both the association and from a longtime member, Philip Berk." Here are 20 actors that seemed to have it all, and now are hardly seen. The Blacklist is rolling up on the end of its tenth and final season, and, shocker, Red ( James Spader) seems to be a step ahead of the game. Fame. Issued in 1950 by the anti-communist newsletter, Counterattack, theRed Channels pamphlet named 151 professionals with alleged ties to communism. In 1952, when Chaplin sailed for Europe to promote his new film, Limelight, the U.S. government revoked the actor's re-entry permit over the "grave moral charges" brought forth. It wasn't for another decade that Locke could find steady work and even then it still felt like Eastwood's stink was present on her. He likely thought he would receive a lesser sentence, but that wasn't how it worked out. August 10, 2022. Sciorra is someone who Weinstein manipulated for years, which he continued to use against her and tarnished her career in the process. While in prison, one member of the group, Edward Dmytryk, decided to cooperate with the government. Columbus Short was once famously cast Harrison Wright on the hit tv series Scandal. However, he was reportedly fired after some serious allegations against the actor came to light. In this adaptation from his new book, High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic (Bloomsbury), Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Glenn Frankel reveals how power and. Good Night, And Good Luck spotlights when Senator Joe McCarthy's smear campaign set its sights on the media. In the years following the shows cancelation, Butler only managed to work on a number of lesser known TV movies. Every other day, celebrity news emerges that could bring down a celeb. Top 20 Famous People Who Were Blacklisted from Hollywood Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the Top 20 Famous People Who Were Blacklisted from Hollywood. In 1983, Donald Spoto published a book on Hitchcock called The Dark Side of a Genius. Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. Dana Plato is an actress who mostly appeared on shows during the 1970s and 1980s. When you're rich and famous, your every move is put on display and the smallest mistake can get you on Hollywood's blacklist. ", In the midst of a strong career, Brendan Fraser found himself at a California hotel in the summer of 2003. After suffering some movie flops, Heigl was rarely cast. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Its difficult to grow up constantly under the public eye and having all of your decisions under scrutiny. With his eccentric and electrifying performances, movies like Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, and Passion of The Christ, can speak for themselves. Which celeb were you most surprised to see on this list? Aware that their answers could ruin their reputations and careers, most individuals either sought leniency by cooperating with investigators or cited their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Zero Mostel was born Samuel Joel Mostel on February 28, 1915 in Brooklyn, New York, one of eight children of an Orthodox Jewish family. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. Up until the final season of The Blacklist, we'd never come face to face with Red's longtime pilot . years ago because he was looking for something that would sustain both his interest and the viewer's for more than 20 episodes a season, or in his words, create . "I don't think that Hollywood has turned its nose up to me," she said. 1. Heigl basically blasted the writing on her series, Greys Anatomy, and the poor treatment that her character was receiving. Since then, she went on to star in other series and eventually, Roseanne where she also served as an executive producer. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Eddie Albert was a circus trapeze flier before becoming a stage and radio actor. celebrities Club Join New Post. Musicians can be blacklisted as well as movie stars. Breakout roles in films like Ghost World, American Beauty, or even Hocus Pocus made Thora Birch a regular presence in the 90s. Well, it turns out thatHedren's career was ruined by the same man who helped create it: Alfred Hitchcock. Were talking about someone who had starred in series such as Beverly Hills, 90210, North Shore and of course, Charmed. However, it also became evident that she has a reputation for being difficult to work with. The next 20 Academy Award-winner Lee Grant was born Lyova Haskell Rosenthal on October 31, 1925 in Manhattan, New York City, to Witia (Haskell), a teacher and actress, and Abraham Rosenthal, an educator and realtor. HUAC investigations were in flight. (While in prison, Dmytryk broke with the rest and agreed to cooperate, admitting being a communist and giving the names of 26 others.). Marsha Hunt, 1940s Hollywood star and blacklist victim, dies at 104 Hunt was one of the last surviving actors from Hollywood's Golden Age of the 1930s and 1940s. Rather than stop working or try to resist the opposing forces, Eccleston picked up and went to Hollywood looking for work. Though he would find the occasional gig in film and performed on stage intermittently, Parks ultimatelylooked to real estate to make a living. The motion picture industry blacklist grew steadily larger as Congress continued its investigations into the 1950s, and numerous careers were damaged as a result. But there was still more to come. CELEBRITY Royals 08/06/23. And he gave me no response.. Education is more than just a degree or certificate. Following this, Hubert still managed to appear in other shows. It was Hoover that investigated Chaplin's alleged "Soviet espionage activities" in 1948. Add interesting content and earn coins. For starters, no one could forget that McGowan was among the main stars on the tv series "Charmed." 20 Once-Loved 90s Stars Who've Been Blacklisted By Hollywood, 10 Functional Workout Moves For Getting Stronger, Why You Should Host A Weekday Wedding & How To Plan It, 10 Clothing Items For Your Bachelorette Weekend Packing List, 10 Actresses Making It Big In Hollywood & Rising To Fame. She didn't attend enough parties, and she didn't schmooze enough, but she still won. 10 Mel Gibson Mel Gibson Confirms Sequel To 'Passion Of The Christ' Watch on M el Gibson is what you would call an elite A-list actor. By 1940, the HUAC had released 42 names of people under suspicion. Committee members quickly settled their gaze on the Hollywood film industry, which was seen as a hotbed of communist activity. Jeffrey Tambor gained critical acclaim for his portrayal of the character Maura Pfefferman on the series Transparent. In 2018, however, Tambor was officially fired from the show after he was accused of inappropriate behavior on set. Celebrities can often have a very short shelf life, yet there are obviously individuals who remain famous for their entire lives. Despite Charlie Chaplin's time as one of the most celebrated actors in history, controversy and scandal followed him for much of his career. Ferrer was the first Puerto Rican actor to win an Academy Award, and also the first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award.In 1912, Ferrer was John Garfield was born Jacob Julius Garfinkle on the Lower East Side of New York City, to Hannah Basia (Margolis) and David Garfinkle, who were Jewish immigrants from Zhytomyr (now in Ukraine). Quaid has continued to have legal issues that are only becoming more intense. In the 1940s, with his popularity waning and scandals erupting, Chaplin's powerful enemies took aim. It wasn't until 2011, during an acting masterclass, that Eccleston spoke about what really happened behind-the-scenes. The star of many land and underwater adventures, Lloyd Vernet Bridges, Jr. was born on January 15, 1913 in San Leandro, California, to Harriet Evelyn (Brown) and Lloyd Vernet Bridges, Sr., who owned a movie theater and also worked in the hotel business. Therefore, his opposition waited. I left because of politics." She was also an early member in the Screen Actors Guild and joined theCongress of American Women. It's about developing critical thinking skills, understanding the world around us, and . According totranscripts of the talk, the actor said, "I left Doctor Who because I could not get along with the senior people. It doesnt matter if you star in movies or television shows. Creative details for how the characters exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date. The ousting came after Gibson reportedly kicked a producer during filming. Rose McGowan lasted five years on the WB's Charmed and had an enviable film career during the '90s, appearing in such hits as Scream and Jawbreaker. "The Blacklist" ends its 10-year NBC run Thursday with a two-hour send-off, and star James Spader says the cast and crew relished the chance to take their time saying goodbye. Over the years, actor Danny Masterson has developed quite an extensive resume in Hollywood, having starred in tv series such as Men at Work and That 70s Show. In recent years, Masterson also starred on the Netflix series The Ranch. However, in 2017, Netflix decided to fire Masterson after several women had accused the actor of rape. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site. In 2018, however, Barr made the fateful decision to fire off a racist tweet. Had he been blacklisted for his allegations against Berk? Dalton Trumbo a Hollywood writer who was blacklisted, then wrote under front names, and whose story was told in a recent hagiographic movie starring Bryan Cranston followed the Communist. Top 20 list of most popular most-followed TikTok Users in 2022. Throughout his long and extensive career, Charlie Sheen has managed to star in tv series such as Spin City, Two and a Half Men, and Anger Management. Not to mention, Sheen also starred in several films such as Due Date, Being John Malkovich, 9/11 and many more. Most were never again employed in Hollywood, but some did write scripts under pseudonyms. Carroll died on November 4, 1976 in Santa Clara, California, USA. And he said, "Because you didn't play the game." But the silence was deafening.". There was a time when actor Kevin Spacey was considered to be among of the Hollywood heavyweights. Considered to be one of the most pivotal stars of the early days of Hollywood, Charlie Chaplin lived an interesting life both in his films and behind the camera. Even many of the actors seem to be unclear how it works. Lee Judy Holliday was born Judith Tuvim in New York City on June 21, 1921. ", It wasn't long after that altercation that Fraser's career truly stuttered and stumbled. In 2018, multiple sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the show was recasting Crawfords role due to the actors bad behavior on the set. Following his ousting, Crawford appeared on the podcast Drinkin Bros where he claimed that he was blackmailed. Despite being named Hollywood's top-paid actress over 40 in 2013, Diaz has since failed to live up to her fame. Sciorra didnt just face professional hardships, she was psychologically scarred and slept with a baseball bat for years, still raw and vulnerable from the subjugation that she experienced. Hollywood Ten, in U.S. history, 10 motion-picture producers, directors, and screenwriters who appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee in October 1947, refused to answer questions regarding their possible communist affiliations, and, after spending time in prison for contempt of Congress, were mostly blacklisted by the Hollywood studios. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. While some have gone on to bigger and better things, many have not been so successful in Hollywood. 13. With all of the attention placed on celebrities and how dangerous and quickly social media spreads now, its frightening how quickly careers can be ruined thanks to a single interview. It was so easy for him.". The group originally included the German writer Bertolt Brecht, but Brecht fled the country on the day following his inquest, and the remaining 10 were voted in contempt of Congress on November 24, 1947. American Legion members picketed films which their leadership found offensive to . Dorothy Parker. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing the title character in Cyrano de Bergerac (1950). New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts. In high school, he learned the banjo and played fullback, intending to become a One of the truly great and gifted performers of the century, who often suffered lesser roles, Burgess Meredith was born in 1907 in Cleveland, Ohio. Yet, to hear the actor tell it, the show did more harm than good. However, she was never cast as a regular or recurring character. Yet, there are those who truly did get ousted by Hollywood. Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. After unsuccessfully appealing the verdicts, they began serving their terms in 1950. He also later starred in the Netflix series House of Cards. However, Spaceys Hollywood career imploded after he was accused of sexual misconduct by 15 individuals. Eddie Albert Actor | Roman Holiday A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Eddie Albert was a circus trapeze flier before becoming a stage and radio actor. As you may recall, there was a time when Rose McGowan was highly visible in the entertainment industry. "He always wanted a glass of wine or champagne, with me alone, at the end of the day. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en cliquant sur les liens Paramtres de confidentialit et des cookies ou Tableau de bord sur la confidentialit prsents sur nos sites et dans nos applications. During an appearance on Sway in the Morning, Amos recalled, I left because I was told that my services were no longer needed because I had become a disruptive element. In other words, I didnt have the diplomacy that I think Ive cultivated over the last 10 or 15 years., Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, E! Years later, Spoto published Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies, a book that highlighted in even more detail the abuses that Hedren suffered at Hitchcock's side. Her parents divorced while she was still a toddler. Renowned composer ("West Side Story", "Candide", "On The Town"), conductor, arranger, pianist, educator, author, TV/radio host, educated at the Boston Latin School and Harvard University (BA) with Walter Piston. Our countdown includes Shia LaBeouf, Mel Gibson, Kathy Griffin, Thora Birch, Michael Richards, and more! He is most recognized as an icon of the silent film era, often associated with his popular character, the Little Tramp; the man with the Lee J. Cobb, one of the premier character actors in American film for three decades in the post-World War II period, was born Leo Jacoby in New York City's Lower East Side on December 8, 1911. And in Season 10, Episode 20 ("Arthur Hudson"), it also proved to be a guest star-filled one. In October 1947, 10 members of the Hollywood film industry publicly denounced the tactics employed by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), an investigative committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, during its probe of alleged communist influence in the American motion picture business. And he said, 'Because you didn't play the game.'" He grew up in Jamaica, British West Indies, and did folk-singing in nightclubs and theaters, and on television and records. Website for moms seeking advice, community, and entertainment. Lee Daniels had to tell MoNique that because she didnt play the game and was a frightening force of nature that she was going to lose roles, which she did. When Eccleston left the show in 2005, there were plenty of rumors and speculation about why. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. Blaming failure on the blacklist may not be ideal, but it's an easier pill to swallow than simply failing. Corbis via Getty Images Lena Horne Horne was a singer, dancer, and actress. "Sound of Freedom," a low-budget film about child sex trafficking, almost topped the box office. Sondra Locke has a storied career that really got kickstarted back in the 1960s, but she remained a present even in the late '80s and '90s, too. In her biography she stated that, on the day she was born, her father was in the midst of a card game trying to get money to pay the hospital costs. Kurt Sutter is a screenwriter and actor who used to star in the hit series Sons of Anarchy, as well as the follow-up series Mayans M.C. Earlier it was revealed that that Sutter was fired from Mayans M.C. In a letter the actor posted for fans, he explained, This morning I was fired by Dana Walden and John Landgraf for all the complaints levied against me. Years before the Weinstein allegations were made public, Rose McGowan criticized Hollywood's treatment of women. He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is, she said in an interview. Basically, shes not cut out for showbiz. Irene is known for her hit song "Fame" which was featured in the film in 1980. For these reasons, its not unusual for celebrities to succumb to temptations and leave the industry because of the fallout or repercussions of their actions. In 1943, Joan Barry filed a paternity suit against Chaplin after he ended their affair. In fact, Hoover had been collecting information on Chaplin since 1922. Love and adoration from everyone around them. In October 1947, more than 40 people with connections to the movie industry received subpoenas to appear before HUAC on suspicion of holding communist loyalties or being involved in subversive activities. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. When that partnership ended, it did so in dramatic fashion. The Hollywood Ten, brave artists who banded together to fight for their constitutional rights, were blacklisted, and accusations were thrown around town like party favors. His performance in 1946's The Jolson Story catapulted him onto the A-list, but his time there was short-lived. Despite being named Hollywood's top-paid actress over 40 in 2013, Diaz has since failed to live up to her fame. ", The Real Reason These Stars Were Blacklisted In Hollywood. Sorvino has said that this sort of unfair attention has plagued her since she was a teenager. He was New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts. One of the wittiest writers of her time, acerbic poet and critic Dorothy Parker got a real taste of activism when she was arrested at a 1927 political rally in support of Italian . It began as a consequence of Mccarthyism- Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy's efforts to route out suspected Communist spies and sympathizers in the United States in the 1940s and 50s. It took Fraser a while to find the courage to come forward, but he spoke towards his own difficulties with sexual harassment and being betrayed by those that he trusted. And I said, "Well, what game is that?" I am not on trial here, declared screenwriter Lawson. the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." He recalls feeling sick and scared. He took up acting while attending City College, abandoning plans to become a rabbi or lawyer. . In recent years, Clayne Crawford became known for his starring role on the tv series Lethal Weapon. However, it soon became clear that the actor wasnt going to be allowed to remain on the show much longer. Some tend to view their punishment as justified, since the individuals were admitted communists, while others generally view them as heroic figures who spoke out against the abuses of the Red Scareand in defense of the U.S. Constitutionwhen many of their colleagues remained silent. 10 Ways To Incorporate Mindfulness Into Your Morning Routine, Have You Met Ted? His career is beginning to come back around, but it went through a heavy drought. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Throughout her career, she played a role on CHiPs, Hello, Larry and Family. But without a doubt, her big break came when she landed a role on the sitcom Diffrent Strokes. Unfortunately, Plato ended up getting fired from the show after she became pregnant. There's many reasons, but was this one of them? According toThe Los Angeles Times, while the actress was away from home on a movie shoot, "Eastwood packed up Locke's belongings and changed the locks of their Brentwood home in 1989." Since he owned United Artists, Chaplin was essentially independent, meaning traditional blacklisting would be ineffectual. Birchs father was her manager and hes developed a contentious reputation thats led to him being overprotective over his daughter in unusual ways and aggressive towards Birchs fellow cast and crew. He was really isolating me from everyone." The fallout from Will Smith giving Chris Rock both a verbal and literal smackdown for a joke Rock made about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith on Oscars night became a global controversy. Hollywood's Witch Hunt Created a Communist Blacklist for these Celebrities. A number of Americans believed that their nations security depended on preventing the spread of communism, and this attitude created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion in many parts of the country. Barr took to Twitter and gave some very opinionated racist thoughts that quickly took her under fire and then fired from her sitcom. Later on, in 2012, she managed to get a recurring role on The Young and the Restless. However, this only lasted for nine episodes. Maguire also received bad press for not only being a part of an illegal poker club, but also behaving badly during games. Accordingly, here are 20 once-loved 90s stars whove been blacklisted by Hollywood. Reports suggest that this is due to his radical views about society. Gibson went through a messy DUI arrest in 2006 where he drunkenly proclaims some very anti-Semitic statements that have followed him throughout his career. When Ruth Gordon convinced her father, a sea captain, to let her pursue acting she came to New York and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Besides the Hollywood Ten, other members of the film industry with alleged communist ties were later banned from working for the big movie studios. The former Greys Anatomy star made headlines after she removed her name out of contention from the 2008 Emmys. While WWII pulled attentions away from the blacklist in the early 1940s, the Red Scare was in full effect in Hollywood by the latter half of the decade. After Leech repeated his charges in supposed confidence to a Los Angeles grand jury, many of the names were reported in the press, including those of stars Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Katharine Hepburn, Melvyn Douglas and Fredric March, among other Hollywood figures. Hes now a much more vocal presence in the conspiracy theory and vigilante community than he is a successful actor. Of course . For. In some cases, actors have turned their back on the profession, but many others werent given another option. Carroll Graham was born on July 30, 1903 in Newton, Iowa, USA. Besides the Hollywood Ten, other members of the film industry with alleged communist ties were later banned from working for the big movie studios. He made his film debut in 1938 and has worked steadily since, often cast as the friendly, good-natured buddy of the hero but occasionally being cast as a villain; one of his . The 10 individuals who defied HUAC were Alvah Bessie (c. 1904-85), Herbert Biberman (1900-71), Lester Cole (c. 1904-85), Edward Dmytryk (1908-99), Ring Lardner Jr. (1915-2000), John Howard Lawson (1894-1977), Albert Maltz (1908-1985), Samuel Ornitz (1890-1957), Robert Adrian Scott (1912-73) and Dalton Trumbo (1905-76). Explore Fanpop. Its becoming increasingly easy to burn bridges in Hollywood. Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie. These celebrities were big in the 90s, but for various reasons, they're no longer wanted by Hollywood today. His family was of Austrian Jewish descent. The son of a Jewish newspaper editor, young Leo was a child prodigy in music, mastering the violin and the Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. Did you know? Brendan Fraser was a major presence in the 90s, whether it was through oafish childrens fare like George of the Jungle, fun adventure/action hybrids like The Mummy series, or even comedies like Bedazzled.