#25: Otto Preminger and Kirk Douglas Publicly Credit Him for Exodus and Spartacus in 1960
In 1960, two major Hollywood figures—director Otto Preminger and actor-producer Kirk Douglas—publicly credited him on high-profile films, breaking the industry’s long-standing blacklist practices. Preminger announced him as the screenwriter of Exodus, starring Paul Newman, while Douglas ensured he received credit for Spartacus.
Douglas later said, “I decided to take a stand,” reflecting the significance of the moment. These decisions challenged the system that had kept his work hidden for years. With two major films openly acknowledging him, the blacklist began to lose its grip, marking a turning point in his career and in Hollywood itself.