HOLLYWOOD AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY CONSTANTLY HIRE NON-DISABLED ACTORS IN ROLES THAT PORTRAY DISABILITY. IT'S TIME TO CALL OUT HOLLYWOOD FOR THIER BLATANT BIGOTRY AND PREJUDICE.
HOLLYWOOD BIGOTRY & ITS HISTORY
Hollywood has a long history of displaying bigotry and prejudice against minority communities. For over a century, "Blackface" was used to justify stereotypes about the African American community while simultaneously preventing black actors from being able to acquire jobs in the entertainment industry.
That same bigotry is displayed towards the disabled community today. Over 95% of all disabled roles in Hollywood are given to actors who do not have a disability at all. "Inspiration Porn" has become the standard portrayal of disability by the mainstream media. These practices have led to unequal job opportunities among disabled actors and inadequate representations of disability from our media outlets.
Featured below is a list of television and movie characters featuring a disability whose roles were given to a non-disabled actor. It's time to make Hollywood accountable for their outright "ableism" toward the disabled community. It's time to Roll Away!
Key Definitions
Blackface: noun. - The makeup used by a nonblack performer playing a black role. Origins date back to the 1830's used during minstrel performances.
Ableism: noun. - Discrimination in favor of an able-bodied person.
"Inspiration Porn": noun. - The portrayal of people with disabilities as inspirational solely or in part on the basis of their disability.The term was coined in 2012 by disability rights activist Stella Young in an editorial in Australian Broadcasting Corporation's webzine Ramp Up.
THE HOLLYWOOD DISABLED PROBLEM
Shazam! (2019) - Disability: Leg Injury/Uses Crutches
Role: Freddy Freeman, Played By: Jack Dylan Grazer
The Upside (2019) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Phillip Lacasse, Played By: Bryan Cranston
In Darkness (2018) - Disability: Blindness
Role: Sofia, Played By: Natalie Dormer
The Good Doctor (2017) - Disability: Autism
Role: Dr. Shaun Murphy, Played By: Freddie Highmore
The Shape Of Water (2017) - Disability: Mute
Role: Eliza, Played By: Sally Hawkins
Wonder (2017) - Disability: Treacher Collins Syndrome
Role: August Pullman, Played By: Jacob Tremblay
Don't Breath (2016) - Disability: Blindness
Role: The Blind Man, Played By: Stephan Lang
Me Before You (2016) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Will Traynor, Played By: Sam Clafflin
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - Disability: Prosthetic Arm
Role: Imperator Furiosa, Played By: Charlize Theron
Superstore (2015) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Garrett McNeil, Played By: Colton Dunn
Empire (2015) - Disability: Bi-polar Disorder
Role: Andre Lyon, Played By: Trai Byers
NCIS: New Orleans (2014) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Patton Plame, Played By: Daryl Mitchell
Mom (2013) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Adam, Played By: William Fitchner
Covert Affairs (2010) - Disability: Blindness
Role: Auggie Anderson, Played By: Christopher Gorham
Boardwalk Empire (2010) - Disability: Facial Disfigurement
Role: Richard Harrow, Played By: Jack Huston
Glee (2009) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Artie Abrams, Played By: Kevin McHale
Avatar (2009) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Jake Sulley, Played By: Sam Worthington
Friday Night Lights (2006) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Jason Street, Played By: Scott Porter
Grey's Anatomy (2005) - Disability: Asperger's Syndrome
Role: Dr. Virginia Dixon, Played By: Mary McDonnell
Ray (2003) - Disability: Blindness
Role: Ray Charles, Played By: Jamie Foxx
A Beautiful Mind (2001) - Disability: Schizophrenia
Role: John Forbes Nash, Played By: Russell Crowe
Malcolm In The Middle (2000) - Disability: Wheelchair Bound
Role: Stevie Kenarban, Played By: Craig Lamar Traymor
X-Men (2000) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Dr. Charles Xavier, Played By: Patrick Stewart
The Bone Collector (1999) - Disability: Paraplegic
Role: Lincoln Rhyme, Played By: Denzel Washington
ER (1994) - Disability: Congenial Hip Displatia
Role: Dr. Kerry Weaver, Played By: Laura Innes
My Left Foot (1989) - Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Role: Christy Brown, Played By: Daniel Day-Lewis
Rain Man (1988) - Disability: Autism
Role: Raymond Babbitt, Played By: Dustin Hoffman
The Elephant Man (1980) - Disability: Neurofibromatosis
Role: Joseph Merrick, Played By: John Hurt
Ironside (1967) - Disability: Spinal Cord Injury
Role: Robert Ironside, Played By: Raymond Burr