“9-1-1” star Rockmond Dunbar is no longer part of the cast due to new regulations requiring him to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dunbar decided to depart from FOX’s hit police/medical drama 9-1-1 over the requirements for cast and crew, Essence reported.
The actor cited multiple reasons for not taking the vaccine, which included both religious and medical reasons. However, he was still denied by Disney TV Studios’ 20th Television, the show’s production company.
Sources close to the matter say that no one on set knows Dunbar to necessarily be an anti-vaxxer, but he has repeatedly refused to comply with the mandate.
“I applied for religious and medical accommodations pursuant to the law and unfortunately was denied by my employer,” Dunbar told Deadline. “My sincerely held beliefs and private medical history are very intimate and personal aspects of my life that I do not publicly discuss and have no desire to start now.”
“I’ve been an actor in this business for 30 years, but my greatest roles are as a husband and father to our 4 small children. As a man that walks in faith, I look forward to what the future holds,” he continued.
“I have enjoyed the last 5 seasons with this wonderful cast and crew and will cherish the time I’ve been blessed to spend with this series and wish everyone involved nothing but the best.”
Dunbar’s role was abruptly written off the show in Monday night’s Season 5, Episode 8 “Defend in Place,” which confused fans who were used to seeing his recurring role. Dunbar portrayed Michael Grant, the ex-husband of Angela Basset’s leading character, police officer Athena Grant.
“We take the health and safety of all of our employees very seriously and have implemented a mandatory vaccination confirmation process for those working in Zone A on our productions,” Disney TV Studios’ 20th Television said in a statement. “In order to ensure a safer workplace for all, Zone A personnel who do not confirm their vaccination status and do not meet the criteria for exemption will not be eligible to work.”
This is an issue that is becoming more common in Hollywood and will likely linger as more studios adopt this universal standard while some actors remain firm in their beliefs against vaccination.
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Religious? He acts like a gay man on the show? What a hypocrite. I’m glad he’s out. Hated his character any ways. Disgusting.