Hollywood stars who REFUSE to celebrate Thanksgiving over animal cruelty and its ‘blood-soaked’ history
In recent years, a growing number of Hollywood figures have publicly expressed their decision not to celebrate Thanksgiving, citing concerns about animal cruelty, environmental impact, and what they describe as the holiday’s “blood-soaked” historical origins. While their perspectives differ, the underlying sentiment is the same: the traditional narrative of Thanksgiving no longer aligns with their personal values.
For some, the issue begins with the treatment of animals. Many in the entertainment industry follow vegan or plant-based lifestyles, and the mass consumption of turkey at Thanksgiving has become a point of moral conflict. Documentaries, personal research, and advocacy work have pushed certain actors, writers, and directors to reevaluate the holiday. They argue that factory farming practices, overcrowded conditions, and the industrial-scale slaughter of turkeys contradict their ethical commitments. Some describe Thanksgiving as a celebration built on the exploitation of animals—an aspect they believe society ignores for the sake of tradition.
Others have taken a stand on environmental grounds. With increasing awareness of the climate crisis, some Hollywood figures highlight the carbon footprint of industrial meat production, food waste associated with large holiday gatherings, and the environmental toll of consumer-centric celebrations. For these individuals, refusing to participate in Thanksgiving is framed as an act of climate-conscious resistance, an attempt to model a more sustainable relationship with food and celebration.
But perhaps the most emotionally charged reason cited by these Hollywood voices is the historical narrative surrounding Thanksgiving itself. They argue that the holiday romanticizes a period marked by violence, colonization, and immense suffering for Indigenous peoples. For them, celebrating Thanksgiving without acknowledging that history feels like participating in cultural erasure. Several have chosen instead to honor the National Day of Mourning, a long-standing Indigenous-led observance that recognizes the harm and displacement experienced by Native communities.
Within creative circles, these positions have sparked lively discussions. Some performers and filmmakers speak about hosting alternative gatherings focused on gratitude, community, and charity without referencing the Pilgrims or traditional Thanksgiving symbols. Others prefer to spend the day educating themselves, supporting Indigenous organizations, or engaging in quiet reflection. A few have even used their platforms to encourage audiences to rethink the holiday’s mythology—from school-book tales to Hollywood’s own portrayal of early American history.
Despite their critiques, many emphasize that they are not judging those who choose to celebrate Thanksgiving. Their message is more about awareness than condemnation. By stepping away from the holiday personally, they hope to start conversations about ethics, history, and cultural responsibility.
Within Hollywood, these choices reflect a broader cultural shift: a move toward more intentional living, values-based decision-making, and open critique of long-standing traditions. Whether focused on animal welfare, environmental impact, or historical truth, these entertainers believe that choosing not to celebrate Thanksgiving is a meaningful expression of their principles—one that challenges both themselves and the public to reconsider what the holiday represents.
