Lecture Notes on Jonathan Majors' Career and Controversy

Introduction

• Discussion about Hollywood and its impact on personal lives.
• Example of careers imploding due to personal controversies.
• Jonathan Majors as a case study: his rise and subsequent controversies.

Early Life and Background

• Born in California, 1989.
• Lived on an Air Force base, later moved to Texas.
• Father left the family, mother became a pastor.
• Troubled youth, involved in school fights and shoplifting.
• Discovered acting following a school fight, inspired by Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight."

Education and Early Acting Career

• Enrolled at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
• Attended Yale School of Drama.
• First major role in "When We Rise" (2007).
• Film debut in "Hostiles," also appeared in "White Boy Rick" and "Out of Blue."

Breakthrough and Success

• Breakout role in "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" (2019).
• Achieved critical acclaim and numerous nominations.
• Starred in "The Five Bloods" directed by Spike Lee.
• Cast in HBO's "Lovecraft Country," which was critically acclaimed but canceled after one season.

Mainstream Recognition

• Hosted "Saturday Night Live."
• Starred in "The Harder They Fall."
• Entered Marvel Cinematic Universe as Kang the Conqueror in "Loki."

Peak Year: 2023

• Appeared in "Creed 3," received critical acclaim for his performance.
• Starred as Kang in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," praised for his performance.
• Achieved A-list status and strong Oscar buzz for "Magazine Dreams."

Controversies and Legal Issues

• Arrested on March 25, 2023, for alleged assault against his girlfriend.
• Public statements claimed his innocence.
• U.S. Army pulled recruitment ads featuring Majors.
• Rolling Stone published a scathing article detailing alleged abusive behavior.
• Legal proceedings showed conflicting evidence and testimonies.

Trial and Verdict

• Trial began on November 29, 2023.
• Convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment; not guilty on other charges.
• Marvel dropped Majors; "Magazine Dreams" release put on hold.
• First interview post-verdict aired on January 8, 2024, claiming innocence.

Conclusion

• Disappearance from public view, potential for comeback debated.
• Hollywood's history of forgiving talent despite controversies.
• Case serves as a reminder of the importance of personal conduct in public careers.