Zero Mostel testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) on 14 October 1955.
Mostel had first been suspected of being a Communist during his time in the Army in 1943, but was named as a Communist to HUAC by Martin Berkeley on 29 January 1952. Mostel was blacklisted immediately afterward.
Mostel denied Berkeleyâs testimony before HUAC, stating that he had not attended the Communist meeting Berkeley claimed (âto the fact that if I were present at this meeting, I vehemently deny I was there since it was physically impossibleâ).
Mostel refused to name names, and refused to answer most of the Committeeâs questions, saying âI believe in the antiquated idea that a man works in his profession according to his ability rather than his political beliefs. When I entertain, my political beliefs are not spouted. As a matter of fact, I am casual about my political beliefs, which I wouldn't tell anybody, unless you are my friend and you are in my house. . . . I believe in the idea that a human being should go on the stage and entertain to the best of his ability and whatever he wants to say, because we live, I hope, in an atmosphere of freedom in this country.â
Mostel remained on the blacklist for 15 years.