In October 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) announced plans to investigate the alleged infiltration of communists into Hollywood. In September 1947, ten film industry professionals, including actors, writers, and directors, were called to testify before HUAC. They later became known as the "Hollywood Ten." The witnesses refused to answer questions about their political beliefs or the political beliefs of their colleagues, citing the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and association.
The Hollywood Ten were found in contempt of Congress and sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to a year. They were also blacklisted by the major Hollywood studios, effectively ending their careers in the film industry.
Here is what happened to the members of the Hollywood Ten after they were blacklisted:
* Alvah Bessie: He served one year in prison. After being released, he continued to write, but under pseudonyms. He also published a book about the blacklist. He worked as a freelance writer and teacher until he passed away in 1985.
* Herbert Biberman: He served six months in prison. After being released, he struggled to find work in Hollywood. He eventually found some success as a television director. He died of a heart attack in 1971.
* John Howard Lawson: He served six months in prison. He was blacklisted for over a decade. He continued to write plays, scripts, and novels, but he was unable to get them produced in the United States. Some of his scripts were produced abroad under pseudonyms. He also published several books about the blacklist. He died in 1977.
* Albert Maltz: He served six months in prison. He was unable to find work in Hollywood after being released from prison. He continued to write, but he was unable to get his work published. In the 1950s, he went to Czechoslovakia and worked for the government as a screenwriter and film director. He returned to the United States in 1960 and continued to write. He died in 1987.
* Samuel Ornitz: He served one year in prison. After being released from prison, he struggled to find work in Hollywood. He eventually found some success as a television screenwriter and director. He also wrote several books about the blacklist. He died in 1973.
* Adrian Scott: He served one year in prison. He was unable to find work in Hollywood after being released from prison. He struggled financially for many years. He died of cancer in 1972.
* Howard Koch: He was the only member of the Hollywood Ten who was not sentenced to prison. He was blacklisted, but he was able to find work in Hollywood after a few years. He directed several films and television shows, and he also wrote screenplays. He died of a heart attack in 1979.
* Ring Lardner Jr.: He served nine months in prison. After being released from prison, he struggled to find work in Hollywood. He died of cancer in 1960.
* John Wexley: He served one year in prison. After being released from prison, he struggled to find work in Hollywood. He eventually found some success as a television screenwriter and director. He died of a heart attack in 1985.
* Dalton Trumbo: He served a 10-month prison sentence. After his release, he continued to write, but he was blacklisted for over a decade. He used pseudonyms to have his works published. In the 1960s, he began to receive screenwriting credits for films that he had written. Some of these films were nominated for Academy Awards. He died of a heart attack in 1976.