Actor Rockmond Dunbar Loses $100 Million Fight Against Disney — Left Broke After Vaccine Lawsuit Fails
Media Take Out has learned that actor Rockmond Dunbar — best known for his roles in 9-1-1, Prison Break, and Soul Food — has officially lost his high-stakes religious discrimination lawsuit against Disney. The decision, which came down late Friday, marks a major legal defeat that could have massive implications for workers across America who refused COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds.
The federal jury ruled unanimously in favor of Disney-owned 20th Television, rejecting Dunbar’s claim that he was wrongfully fired from 9-1-1 after refusing the COVID vaccine due to his spiritual beliefs.
When the verdict was read, witnesses say Dunbar broke down in court, putting his head in his hands before crying out, “Oh my God! I’m so sorry. We’ll be okay.” His wife and children, who were seated in the gallery, were seen comforting him as the reality of the loss set in.
“This Has Taken My Life Into a Hole”
Dunbar, 47, testified that being fired from 9-1-1 was financially devastating. At the time, he was reportedly making $100,000 per episode and was even paid for episodes in which his character didn’t appear.
“It was a dream job,” he said on the stand. “It was like winning the lottery.”
Since losing the role in 2021, Dunbar told the court he’s struggled to find work and has completely depleted his savings. “I’m underwater. I’ve spent my entire retirement,” he said. “This has taken my life into a hole financially that I will never be able to get out of.”
Despite that, Dunbar insisted he followed what he believed were divine instructions. “Take my cars, my money — I don’t care. You have to leave here with your soul intact. This is my spiritual test and I passed.”
Disney Fights Back — and Wins
Disney’s legal team, led by attorney Maria Rodriguez, successfully argued that Dunbar’s beliefs were not truly religious, but rather personal and philosophical. Rodriguez told jurors that Dunbar’s claim “lacked credibility,” especially after she presented evidence that the actor regularly used synthetic hormones — substances his own religious group forbade.
She also pointed out that Dunbar had taken dozens of medications over the years, undercutting his claim that he opposed medical intervention on faith-based grounds. “This isn’t even close to religious consistency,” Rodriguez told the jury.
Disney’s expert witness, Dr. Glenn Braunstein, further dismantled Dunbar’s claims by testifying that there were no fetal cells or “foreign objects” in any approved COVID-19 vaccine, calling his assertions “hogwash.”
“God Still Won Today”
After the verdict, Disney released a statement saying, “We are pleased with today’s verdict, which affirms that 20th Television acted fairly and lawfully toward Mr. Dunbar.”
Outside court, Dunbar remained defiant, telling reporters, “God still won today.”
But according to insiders who spoke with Media Take Out, the once high-earning actor is now completely broke and facing a dire financial future. His legal bills, combined with years of lost income, have reportedly wiped him out — and without work in Hollywood, it’s unclear what’s next for him.
Media Take Out’s Take
This ruling is a major blow — not just to Rockmond Dunbar, but to others who tried to use religious exemptions to fight vaccine mandates in Hollywood and beyond. The actor says he stood for faith, not fame — but now, he’s paying the ultimate price.
Still, Dunbar insists his conscience is clear. “This was my test,” he told the court. “And I passed.”
Whether Hollywood will give him another chance remains to be seen.