WTF Happened to James Woods?

It’s sad to think that most younger movie fans only know James Woods from his combative, controversial Twitter presence. In a lot of ways, he’s become a poster guy for the division between the right and left in Hollywood, with some saying he’s been blacklisted. No matter what people think of him now, James Woods was one of the best character actors at his peak in the eighties and nineties. He’s starred in a whole slew of classic films, all of which deserve to stand the test of time, no matter what folks think of him. There’s David Cronenberg’s Videodrome, Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America, Oliver Stone’s Salvador (and Any Given Sunday), John Carpenter’s Vampire, John Badham’s The Hard Way, and so many more. Between his classics, there were hidden gems like The Boost (which was marred by Woods’ infamous feud with co-star Sean Young) and some of his TV work like My Name is Bill W and more. Plus, there’s the fact that Woods, initially, always had a sense of humour about himself, famously guesting on The Simpsons and then Family Guy, all of which begs the question, can you separate the art from the artist?
In this episode of WTF Happened to this Celebrity, which is written by Brad Hamerly, and edited, produced and narrated by Taylor James Johnson, we take a look at Woods’ career and legacy. Do you think Woods’ legacy is intact? Let us know in the comments!
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#JamesWoods #wtfhappenedtothiscelebrity

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I think for young people, he’s known for his recurring role from Family Guy and the voice of Hades in Hercules

[@donovanlocust1106]

That's how I know him

[@dantheanimator5072]

He is def known for being canceled and blacklisted for doing nothing or any kind of crime/hurting Not my fav actor at all but I do find it odd listening to these people and their free speech America is known for as they try to silence him because of his free speech

[@donovanlocust1106]

@@dantheanimator5072 First Amendment doesn't extend to platforms. It's called terms of service. Follow them or get banned.

[@SSSharpeProductions]

Don’t forget GTA San Andreas

[@monkemoe]

@@SSSharpeProductions Toreno lol

[@Locadel2003]

His cameo in Scary movie 2 is still one of my favourite moments of his career 😂😂. So hilarious

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

Gregory peck was in the gunfighter 1950 with Richard jaeckel Karl Malden skip homeier Millard Mitchell Helen westcott jean Parker Anthony Ross directed by Henry king produced by nunnally johnson music by Alfred Newman written by Andre de toth terry George William sellers william bowers

[@Johny40Se7en]

That's legendary level of grossness and humour 🤭😅😆

[@donnacaldwell3267]

I bought that dvd just for his scenes in it!🤣

[@MellissaBoomeroftheNight]

I was eating homemade tacos when that clip came up here. 🤣

[@WhatChuSay]

😂😂

[@spaceodds1985]

Once Upon A Time In America is a masterpiece and Woods was phenomenal as Max. The guy is an acting force of nature, who quite frankly needs to be remembered as the talent that he is.

[@trikkerman1]

I just rewatched the OUATIM the other day because I finally found the 4 hour version.

[@dantheanimator5072]

Too much odd r*ping scenes in that movie for me to even consider that movie a great one, but did have some high caliber acting (like Clockwork Orange)

[@spaceodds1985]

@@trikkerman1 Such an enigmatic film. And a unique film in the gangster genre.

[@stevenjustice105]

I would see a James woods movie in a heartbeat.

[@SemperFighting]

Agreed.

[@shellsnbees]

The first time I ever heard James Woods voice was when he played Hades in Hercules, the Disney movie. I love that so much!

[@dspsblyuth]

James woods is one of the best actors of all time. Pass it on

[@Locadel2003]

This man was able to be phenomenal in supporting roles like "Ghosts of Mississippi", "The onion field", "True Crime", "Any given sunday" & "The specialist" but also really excellent in leading man roles like "Salvador", "Once upon a time in America", "Videodrome", "Vampires", "Cop" & "The boost"

[@seanbs]

I loved him in Casino and The Hard Way

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

Gregory peck was in the omen 1976 with Patrick troughton David Warner robert riettti billie whitelaw lee Remick Bruce boa don fellows directed by Richard donner produced by Harvey Bernhard written by David seltzer music by Jerry goldsmith the boys from Brazil 1978 with James mason Laurence Oliver denholm elliott uta Hagen Iilli palmer John dehner Walter gotell Wolfgang priess Michael gough Gunter Meisner Joachim Hansen directed by Franklin j schaffner produced by Stanley o toole music by jerry goldsmith screenplay by lra levin

[@alejandromolinac]

I can't with "Salvador" .... I am originally from El Salvador.... Lived through the war.... That movie is way too lefty for me....

[@deeboy4378]

Diggstown was good too. . i believe he was the lead in that as well.

[@lizardog]

@@seanbs The Hard Way is a sadly overlooked film. More people should see it.

[@Locadel2003]

"The Hard way" with Michael J fox from 1991 is one of his most fun and enjoyable movies, a cheesy but fun underrated comedy

[@JoBloOriginals]

Love it!

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I like that movie too

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

Gregory peck was in the great sinner 1949 with Frank Morgan Ethel Barrymore Ava gardner Walter Huston Melvyn Douglas directed by Robert siodmak mervyn Leroy produced by gottfreid Reinhardt written by ladislas fodor Christopher Isherwood music by bronislau kaper

[@eddead4235]

Its great mike j fox as a guy with lots of girls is odd

[@lizardog]

@@eddead4235 Fox doing a perfect impersonation of a girl was brill.

[@AudreyMealiff]

James Woods is incredible to watch. His performance in ER was just a triumph.

[@ericb9252]

No

[@devious187]

So many great roles, but if I had to pick my favorite right now, I absolutely love (to hate) him as Lester in Casino... ask me next week and I'll have a different answer. And I am one of those San Andreas people, his role as Mike Toreno is pure Woods goodness

[@richardpatton2502]

“Anytime, anywhere, any part, any pay” That’s what he said to his agent when informed that Scorsese was interested All the best to everyone

[@MatthiasTheGreat]

Despite being polar opposite of him politically, I absolutely love this man as an actor!

[@boomstickman71]

Despite being the polar opposite of you politically, I love that you can separate the actor from his opinions, and have the courage to say so. If everyone was as tolerant of other people's opinions as you are, this world would be a much better place.

[@mizer9510]

You're political views are on the wrong side my friend

[@iamnostalgic9567]

@@boomstickman71 👏 Well stated. 👍

[@mizer9510]

@@JustinFischer42 Who are you talking too dumbass? Did you even read the comments?

[@eroslogan3514]

that's what america used to be, differing opinions existing in harmony

[@pecm]

It's also said he has a very high IQ, which explains when he was at the MIT. So perhaps his "controversial" opinions are actually healthy reactions from someone that sees what's happening to the country and it's path of self-destruction, and it can't stay silent anymore, along with half the country. What he says to Tucker on the phone is enlightening and completely relatable.

[@pavlos712]

Indeed. In recently saw that 'woke' people have on average a pretty low IQ

[@dimebagdave77]

James Woods RULES..

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Agreed

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I liked his performance in Once Upon A Time In America

[@JoBloOriginals]

Amazing performance

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

Gregory peck was in moby dick 1956 with orson Welles royal dano Richard basehart james Robertson justice Noel Purcell Harry andrews Francis de Wolff Joseph tomelty Edric connor fredrich vol Ledbur Leo genn mervyn johns directed and produced by John Huston based on the novel Herman Melville

[@arielrose9928]

James Woods is a national treasure.

[@pab1381]

Legend has it you can still see him running around saying “Ooo a piece of candy.” 😂

[@imapatching09]

James Woods is a great actor and a great American.

[@Locadel2003]

This man for a while was able to play every tipe of arrogant and bastard people in movies especially like in Contact, Casino or John Q and he was great

[@MrBdiddypop]

For my money his performance in “Scary Movie 2” is hands down his most convincing. “Damn enchiladas!”

[@angelofverdun456]

That was pretty funny!

[@jerryholbrook13]

James woods is great

[@migzb7953]

Woods is perfectly casted as Owlman in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Woods have liked hearing a snippet of him saying, “It doesn’t matter….”

[@CBright7831]

While I consider myself a middle of the road guy who’s voted for Democrats & Republicans, I will say that it’s kind of shitty that he’s lost out on roles because of his political beliefs. It’s actually kind of refreshing having a Conservative in Hollywood.

[@lls3676]

7:27 If I was James, I would fire my agents too. They turned down the script to Resevoir Dogs without showing it to him.

[@kevinmkraft]

Love James Woods. I hope he begins acting again, and I admire his anti-woke perspective.

[@divinedelaware7541]

Did you forget the movie where he played the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous? That was some good acting. I can't remember the title, but great work from Woods. Anybody been in a rehab facility has seen it for sure

[@rappeezy]

Did I miss Indictment the McMartin Trial? He was oooooooooo amazing in that movie and probably my favorite character of his.

[@beckigreen]

It was shown. He was nominated for an Emmy. He should’ve won, great film, great acting.

[@KeKKi]

The Man. The Myth. The Woods.

[@frenchabortion]

He’s the reason why I LOVED the Disney Hercules.

[@ChA0s_AgeNt]

It was mostly skipped over here, but he's great in Another Day in Paradise. It's an awesome flick, kinda like Requiem for a Dream or Trainspotting in theme/tone. He's a nut, but the man can act.

[@gx12]

Please cover COP for Best Movie You Never Saw. That final shot is a killer!

[@blackamerican40]

I loved him in Jane's House in 1994. He plays a widower with teenage children who don't like his new wife, Anne Archer. He truly gave a great performance as a father struggling to make it work with his kids and new wife.

[@seanberry2652]

Love that you have the Videodrome cover on.

[@hell5457]

It's up there with the matrix, they live, invasion of body snatchers

[@ranwolf7650]

The last movie I remember for sure seeing Woods in was Vampires. Diggstown is probably my favorite movie of his

[@CaptainCat101]

Not much I can say other than: everyone is right about him, he's amazing even if his online presence has been very divisive

[@Parker--]

It's an eighth as "divisive" as the average Hollywood Lefty says. The difference is the right believes in free speech and the Left cancels people for it.

[@boomstickman71]

Presenting one side of an issue is not divisive, by definition. It may not be your opinion, but it's his, and he has the right to espouse it. That in no way makes what he says divisive. Anyone who thinks it is is being intolerant of his opinion.

[@dkamphaus43]

Anyone with opinions that lean more towards the conservative side are written off as "divisive" or have a plethora of other stupid labels slapped onto them by the mainstream media and entertainment industry.

[@CaptainCat101]

@@boomstickman71 I was referring to everyone else's reactions. I'm not calling him (as a person) divisive

[@mizer9510]

@@CaptainCat101 He's not divisive. He's speaking truth. It's everybody else that's divisive.

[@justinmanser7525]

Was always my favourite actor. He is very smart and very cool, all his filmography is great. I suggest True Believer and Best Seller for the best hidden gem.

[@caldodge]

"Hercules" is my favorite animated Disney movie. James Woods is part of the reason for that.

[@misterquantum7767]

I don't really James Woods, but I do love The Hard Way and need to watch it again someday soon.

[@bakdpotato143]

I fuckin love James Woods.

[@mdturnerinoz]

JW is one of MY GREATEST HEROS! I love this man's work AND HIS POLITICS!

[@Kareltjekater]

It is so sad how most Hollywood stars became show ponies for the criminally insane establishment!

[@misaeljoelvera6631]

I'm with Simo. Salvador, Videodrome, and Once Upon a Time in America makes great use of James Woods's talents, and the movies by themselves are VERY good, classic even!

[@scottmadoff7444]

My favorite role i like him in was john capenters vampires, his intensity was incredible

[@jamesprovosthemingway4285]

I always liked James Woods such a great actor. I also love that he doesn't give a shit about what people think and he speaks his mind.

[@YankeesFan0620]

You can hate James Woods for his politics, but no one can deny he is a damn good actor!! Also, Once Upon a Time in America (1984) is a masterpiece and is one of the best movies of the 1980s!!! It's criminal what producers did to the original theatrical cut.

[@CraziBastid]

Kurt Russell is a conservative and he still gets work.

[@kasrasadrehashemi174]

Yeah but he is not up front about it.James Woods never shut up on Twitter, he no different then the wack jobs on Twitter he hates.

[@dickiesdocos]

Clint Eastwood is also a conservative and considered Hollywood royalty.

[@seanbrazell7095]

You know those actors who look like jerks but are the nicest guys in real life? Yeah, James Woods is NOT one of those.

[@tatt4music]

You are correct. He never looked like a jerk.

[@seanbrazell7095]

@@tatt4music Even HE thinks he looks like a jerk.

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

James Woods became too based for Hollywood, he stood his ground and didn't give in. He had a great career in the business, in so many classics

[@johnbearross]

John Carpenter's Vampires was a great role for him.

[@christermyrberg3661]

"Did you get mahogany?"

[@johnbearross]

@@christermyrberg3661 "Ebony."

[@USCena]

@@johnbearross" Teak."

[@totallypreposterous]

In a recent interview on Tucker, Woods said that when he began speaking out against wokism, Hollywood influencers and those pulling the strings on Twitter at the time shut him out, canceled him, and "Ruined my career." So, there you have it.

[@dkamphaus43]

Well thankfully those people have now pretty much lost Twitter as a means towards influencing their narrative.

[@neurotika]

Lol yeah...as if corporate billionaires are amenable to leftist goals. It's absolutely wild how incoherent this "anti-woke" conspiratorial framing is. But then again right wing policies are guided by feelings-fueled moral panicks and intentional misinformation. Your problem isn't this vaguely defined "woke agenda". It's the disingenuous pandering to popular social movements so they can remain in the public's good graces. That's capitalism, friend. However, conservatives have mythologized capitalism to the point that any criticism of its inequities is implicitly un-american and what "communists" do. Therefore the only way to rationalize this cognitive dissonance is to find another more nefarious explanation; this must be the fault of political opposition. And the conspiracy relies on half-truths and general disenfranchisement to propagate itself. The thing is, that narrative just doesn't reflect the goals of either party and it falls flat on its face.

[@totallypreposterous]

@@neurotika Sounds like a conspiracy theory of yours all in its own. Nonetheless, to suggest that the outcome of several events that clearly display nefarious intent (rioters, border open wide, anti gun laws, untested vaccine, draconian covid laws, the Biden laptop, super inflation, and a host of others), to dismiss all that as either normal or not worth mentioning is both ludicrous and dumb.

[@leetimberman8860]

He was excellent in the generals daughter. Great movie also.

[@tatt4music]

Very underrated and performance.

[@Bent-Ed]

If there's any actor you have to ask wtf happened, it's this guy...or Randy Quaid. Gobsmackingly insane.

[@richardvinsen2385]

Don’t forget Jon Voight.

[@Bent-Ed]

@@richardvinsen2385 indeed

[@willrunriot]

“Anyone who disagrees with me is insane.” - you.

[@ericb9252]

​@@willrunriot They are literally insane. Woods, Voit and Quad all have dementia

[@willrunriot]

@@ericb9252 like Joe Biden dementia, or they say things you don’t like so they “have dementia?”

[@NicholasVargo]

I know it’s just a cameo but I love his performance as a fiddler in the underrated and criminally underseen movie The Black Marble (which is made by the same people who made The Onion Field).

[@shootthemoon6072]

I agree with James Woods on alot

[@howardpowell9673]

Great ActorJames,the best ever 👏👏👏, 80s and 90's.

[@Rockstar-bq5fm]

No need to shout out all his work because he’s done alot of great stuff. But I always felt his tv show Shark was incredibly underrated.

[@julian23561]

James Woods is extremely smart-- thats the greatest thing he has.

[@pickleddimples1794]

I appreciate how fair you were. Alot of people would have been harder on him just for his political views alone. The industry he made his bones in is known for being very liberal and unforgiving to those who are not. He's not perfect but he's certainly not the monster they paint him out to be and you didn't go down that path. You kept it objective. He's a phenomenal actor that we'll never see the likes of again and that should be respected above all, as you did.

[@vijayiyer8518]

I broadly agree. mel gibson has said some pretty awful things, and he has made a comeback.

[@davidmartinez52420]

Lesser actors are still continuing to get work despite lackluster box office numbers. It's just an excuse to blacklist James Woods, who is definitely on it because of his political beliefs and how outspoken he is about them.

[@bonghunezhou5051]

Wood had not been a so-called box office draw well before his public declaration of 'conversion' in 2015. Besides, plenty of left-leaning actors have had trouble finding steady or prominent acting gigs as well.

[@peytonhibdon7659]

You kind of played down True Believer in my opinion. Awesome movie.

[@hexenofficial]

A family friend got hit on by James Woods at a restaurant when she was 15 so I don't really hold a high opinion of the man.

[@dickiesdocos]

I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

[@dreamawake2670]

Woods himself says that he's been black listed in Hollywood , that his career has been destroyed because of his conservative, republican values.

[@joemassepoes7842]

He rocks. End of story!

[@thekillingfieldsable]

The most watchable actor ever.

[@Joeyk354]

His summer home is in my neighborhood

[@forrestcrabbe]

You da man james woods🤘rock on🤘y'all have a badass day🤘🍻🤘

[@machfront]

I mean… just his utterance of “Okay.” in Contact is so perfect! lol

[@Vilendl]

The guy is such a unique and amazing actor. I'm not sure if you mentioned "Citizen Cohn", but I thought that was another great performance by him.

[@ericb9252]

No

[@moserfugger6363]

What a guy! This restrospective is pretty overwhelming... The sheer amount of really great roles this man played. An absolute legend. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Sadly. Greetings from Germany :)

[@ericb9252]

He's trash

[@dunktopper9697]

Who remember James woods in that one episode in family guy season 8 🤣

[@J.Soffer]

I can't believe I never knew who voiced hades!! One of the Best voice performances 🙌 ❤❤.

[@myownme7772010]

Citizen Cohn ('92) where he played Roy Cohn definitely deserved a mention. His performance is haunting and is worth viewing.

[@trikkerman1]

I don't recall his movie the Onion Fields being mention.

[@paulcarr5918]

I think people should stop pretending like he isn't one of the best actors ever just because they disagree with him personally. And yes, James Woods is the Virgin Suicides. He may not technically have been the main character, but his performance made the movie. I also liked Shark even though many didn't, which is why it only got two seasons

[@Leonard1977ful]

I really like James Woods. He's a truly talented actor. I haven't seen everything he's, but I may not want to. Some of the movies he's been in might be way way too dark for my taste. However, I really liked him in Diggstown, Family Guy, and The Specialist.

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

James F. ing Woods. Yeah

[@Turco949]

The guy supposedly has a very high IQ like 184 or something so the guy could have been a good "anything" but turns out, he clearly is a very talented actor as well!

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

Not surprised, guy looks like a genius

[@hammer3353]

Same reason why Curt Schilling will never make the HOF. He’s been canceled.

[@Locadel2003]

The last time I ever enjoyed a role by him was in White house down, when the movie was bad, you can see he was fun in the movie

[@djmexicanodetx2195]

Once upon a time in America!!

[@zdrux]

Love these series, keep it up!

[@stevedavidson2591]

He got canceled by the woke mob

[@kaylew108]

John Carpenters Vampires was the first movie I watched and knew of him. Loved him ever since.

[@unfire]

For the longest time I knew him as "That guy in The Specialist!" because he had the best lines. It wasn't until Shark where I really appreciated his work, and I LOVED White House Down.

[@DragonE15]

Where is Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths in your James Wood video. He was insanely good as Owl Man.

[@Epic_C]

Another Day in Paradise is a great raw film that doesn't get the appreciation that it should.

[@opinian1068]

I feel like you guys are kinda passive aggressively throwing him under the bus for his political views. 🤔

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I immediately thought of Casino and Family Guy 😂

[@catmandude2357]

Ew, a piece of candy.

[@nicolamcguinness8689]

Gregory peck was in cape fear 1962 with Robert Mitchum Martin balsam telly salvlias Edward platt herb Armstrong jack Kruschen Paul comi directed by j lee Thompson produced by st Bartlett music by Elmer Bernstein written by John d MacDonald

[@Omar-wq9dz]

The first thing he did, which I saw was Stuart Little 2 since he was the voice of the falcon

[@chriskingston4270]

I think it is possible to separate our opinion of a person from their politics. For example, James Woods is dear friends with Whoopi Goldberg and Rob Reiner even though he hates their whacko politics. People who don't like him because of his politics - and probably most people who like him for the same reason - would do well to remember that he is smarter than most of them (He dropped out of MIT to pursue acting, remember?). He likes the person so their politics do not keep him from liking them. He is a much better man than me in that respect for sure!

[@SergioGarcia-sk1nw]

Do Vince Vaughn, I haven't heard from him in a while.

[@titou2k3]

Woods is a genius.

[@artboymoy]

Liked him in Contact. But as another movie stated... "It's a dangerous thing to mistake speaking without thought for speaking the truth"

[@NickRLayton]

How in the hell would someone know is someone is speaking without thought you dumbass? Lol that statement makes no sense. If someone is speaking without thought, only they know it. When have you ever believed what someone said because you thought they were speaking without thought? How could you confuse someone speaking without thought for truth? Is that how you people ended up voting for Biden? You thought what he was saying must be true because he had no idea what he was saying? Lol god you ppl will never see the light. I’m a veteran of the United States Army and I love America. I will always fight for this country . to see you idiots allow our country to get this bad all because you hate trump or are gay or whatever, is sickening!

[@brianpughsley8680]

Always entertained me

[@xrrrismickey]

Even if you don't dislike his views, of you have him on a movie, the chances of his opinions overriding your movie are too high.

[@zxcytdfxy256]

Thank you for making this types of videos, you teach me so much.

[@7wnb]

Shark was actually a great show, I forgot it was only 2 seasons - seemed to run longer than that 🤷‍♂️

[@andrewweber9930]

I love james woods

[@Insomnibyte]

To quote Family Guy: "Thats why I love... James Woods!"

[@jimmymook6498]

yeah fuck the rest of the noise. The man turned in some of the best performances recorded on film. Always felt real, but also like they could fall apart at any second. Nobody does manic better.

[@carter358]

He was so damn good in Ghosts of Mississippi.