The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, including the entertainment industry. Actors, filmmakers, and networks had to find a way to entertain viewers while keeping themselves safe. Regardless, some actors had their reasons to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and we are placing these unvaccinated celebrities in the spotlight; where are they in 2025?
Mandatory instructions were given to all workers in the entertainment industry to take the COVID-19 vaccine, with a few exemptions. Although the intentions were good and to save lives, the results of that mandate were costly for those who didn’t comply. Many faced unemployment, financial struggles, and even mental health issues. Unfortunately, some celebrity careers ended after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, as they found it difficult to get roles.
Unvaccinated Celebrities: 5 Actors Whose Careers Were Affected After Refusing the Covid Vaccine
1. Rockmond Dunbar
Rockmond Dunbar shocked 911 fans after refusing to take the vaccine. Dunbar played other characters prior to his role in the Disney series, 911. On 911, he played Angela Basset’s ex-husband of 17 years, Grant.
In 2021, during the pandemic, almost all careers were required to take the COVID-19 vaccinations, while celebrities refusing the vaccine were to request an exemption. It was a mandatory procedure for all cast and crew on TV and film productions. However, Dunbar made a request for an exemption on the grounds that his religious beliefs do not permit him to get the vaccine. The actor’s character was eventually written off the series after 5 seasons.
Career Aftermath
In 2022, Dunbar sued Disney TV for ending his character, noting that he went through difficult times after the show. He was earning for all episodes, including the ones he didn’t appear in, getting up to 100k per episode. In Oct 2025, Dunbar lost the case in an eight-member jury trial that supported Disney. He has since appeared on TV shows like The Game, Law & Order, and Aftershock.
2. Andrea Bordeaux
Andrea Bordeaux hails from Texas and is known for her role as Harley Hidoko. She was cast as Ella McFair in the 2021 TV series, Run the World. Lionsgate TV demanded that their staff take the vaccine, which the actress declined, as it was against her beliefs. Bordeaux insists she never offered to leave the series but was fired after attempts at reaching a compromise proved unsuccessful. Therefore, she was dropped from the show.
The actress sued Lionsgate for religious discrimination but lost the case. The court sided with the TV network, adding that her demands would have made it harder for Lionsgate and posed a risk to others’ health. She mentioned how actors who experienced this discrimination lost their source of livelihood and were put out of the industry.
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Career Aftermath
The actress has rarely been seen on screen since then. Finally, after four years, the actress shared that she is excited to return to filming. She acts as Tasha Lawson on Grey’s Anatomy, her first TV series after ‘Run the World’. She is also a women’s health and wellness coach, sharing tips to improve quality of life on YouTube and Instagram.
3. Ice Cube
Rapper and actor Ice Cube is among those who lost roles due to vaccine requirements. The news that Ice Cube was to appear in Sony’s comedy Oh Hell No was surprising, but the paycheck was even more surprising. He revealed he was offered $9 million, which had him enticed, but he stood his ground and communicated his displeasure with taking the vaccine. The actor was sidelined by the production company who didn’t agree with his terms.
Career Aftermath
Ice cube has been in other movies since then. He appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in 2023, with his most recent role being Williams in the sci-fi thriller War of the Worlds.
4. Ingo Rademacher
Ingo Rademacher has been a main cast member in General Hospital for 25 years, from 1996 to 2021. The show has the Guinness World Record for the longest-running American soap opera still in production. Following the network’s decision to adhere to the vaccine policy, Rademacher was fired for refusing to comply and his character was written off. Not long after, the actor sued the network for discrimination. His reason for exemption was moral beliefs, which ABC responded was not a legal enough argument. In 2023, he lost the case. Despite this, the actor requested a retrial, stating that it was a wrongful termination and the network does not have the right to insist on health-related issues for actors.
Career Aftermath
In February 2025, he attempted to sue the network again, but the case was dismissed by a judge. Rademacher revealed he faced mental struggles after being fired, as he has a strong connection with his character “Jax”. He appeared in the series in 2022 and other films like The Old Way. Although he hasn’t appeared on TV since 2022, he has been spending quality time with family while applying for a retrial.
5. Steve Burton
While Steve Burton is also an actor fired from General Hospital for not adhering to the vaccine mandate, he ended things on good terms with the network. He played the role of Jason Morgan since 1991, but the network cut his role. He said in an interview before leaving in 2021, “Maybe one day if these mandates are lifted, I can return and finish my career as Jason Morgan. That would be an honor.”
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Career Aftermath
Shockingly, the network announced that Burton would be back to the General Hospital in 2023. That same year, he also appeared in shows like “Days of Our Lives” as Harris Michaels throughout 2023.
