Key Takeaways:
- Eight celebrities from past decades would face instant cancellation if they exhibited the same behavior today.
- These celebrities include John Wayne, Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Alfred Hitchcock, Jerry Lewis, Woody Allen, and Roman Polanski.
- Their past behavior includes racism, sexism, homophobia, and allegations of assault and harassment.
- The shift in cultural standards has led to increased accountability for those in positions of power and influence.
- The concept of "cancel culture" can be complex, but holding people accountable for harmful behavior is a necessary step towards progress.
Introduction to the Problem
Remember those celebrities we all loved growing up? The ones whose posters adorned bedroom walls and whose movies we watched on repeat? Well, looking back through today’s lens, some of their behavior would have Twitter in absolute meltdown mode. Growing up in Melbourne, watching old reruns with my brothers, we never questioned why certain things were "just the way they were." But times have changed, and what passed for charm or humor back then would be career suicide now. The fact that these celebrities were able to get away with such behavior for so long is a testament to the changing times and the evolution of our cultural standards.
The List of Celebrities
Here are eight boomer celebrities who were absolutely adored in their heyday but would face instant cancellation if they pulled the same stuff today. The list includes John Wayne, who openly stated he believed in white supremacy and made shocking comments about Black Americans; Sean Connery, who defended hitting women; Frank Sinatra, who was allegedly connected to organized crime and known for violent outbursts; Elvis Presley, who had a thing for very young women; Alfred Hitchcock, who was accused of workplace harassment; Jerry Lewis, who made incredibly offensive comments about women, gay people, and others; Woody Allen, who faced allegations of assault and harassment; and Roman Polanski, who fled the United States after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.
A Closer Look at Each Celebrity
Each of these celebrities has a unique story and set of circumstances that contributed to their ability to get away with such behavior for so long. John Wayne’s comments on white supremacy and Black Americans would be career-ending today, but back then, they were largely overlooked. Sean Connery’s defense of hitting women would be met with widespread outrage, but in the 1980s, it was seen as a harmless joke. Frank Sinatra’s connections to organized crime and violent outbursts would be major red flags, but in his heyday, they were seen as part of his charming, larger-than-life personality. Elvis Presley’s relationships with underage girls would be considered predatory and exploitative, but at the time, they were seen as a harmless quirk. Alfred Hitchcock’s treatment of Tippi Hedren would be considered a major scandal, but back then, it was seen as a minor blip on the radar. Jerry Lewis’s comments about women and gay people would be considered hate speech, but in his time, they were seen as harmless jokes. Woody Allen’s allegations of assault and harassment would be taken seriously, but in the 1990s, they were largely ignored. Roman Polanski’s fleeing of the United States would be seen as a major scandal, but for decades, it was largely overlooked.
The Cultural Shift
The fact that these celebrities were able to get away with such behavior for so long is a testament to the changing times and the evolution of our cultural standards. Today, we have a greater understanding of the impact of words and actions on individuals and society as a whole. We have a greater awareness of the importance of consent, respect, and empathy. We have a greater recognition of the need to hold people in positions of power and influence accountable for their actions. The shift in cultural standards has led to increased accountability, and it’s a necessary step towards progress. As we move forward, it’s essential to recognize the importance of treating all beings with compassion and respect, and to hold ourselves and others to high standards of behavior.
Conclusion
Looking at this list, you might feel uncomfortable. Maybe some of these were your heroes growing up. I get it. Some of them were mine too. But recognizing how much our standards have evolved isn’t about erasing the past or pretending these people didn’t create important art. Many of them did contribute significantly to culture and entertainment. What matters is that we’ve grown as a society. We’ve raised our standards for how we expect people, especially those in positions of power and influence, to behave. We’ve decided that talent doesn’t excuse terrible behavior. The shift from then to now shows progress. Sure, cancel culture can sometimes go too far, but holding people accountable for genuinely harmful behavior? That’s not cancellation; that’s consequence. And honestly? If losing celebrity status is the price for making others feel unsafe, unwelcome, or less than human, it’s a price that should be paid.
