Actor Claims Hollywood’s Woke Era is Ending

Dean Cain is not holding back about why he believes Hollywood is finally being forced to face a major wake-up call.

The former Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman star says the entertainment industry is shifting again — and, in his view, the so-called “woke” era that dominated much of Hollywood may be running out of steam.

Cain, 59, made the blunt remarks during an interview with Fox News, where he said he believes the movie and television business is beginning to move in a better direction after years of cultural and political battles that he claims hurt the industry.

“Right now, I like the direction it’s in, because I think we’re coming out of the woke [era], if you will,” Cain said. “And we’ll look back at this time and go, that was stupid. I hope we do.”

The actor went even further, claiming the shift had taken a toll on ticket sales and the broader entertainment business.

“It’s hurt the box office. Hollywood’s dying,” Cain said. “I left Hollywood three years ago. Nobody lives in California anymore. Everybody leaves.”

Cain, who was born in Michigan and became one of TV’s most recognizable Superman actors in the 1990s, now lives in Nevada. He said his decision to leave California was driven largely by politics, regulations, and taxes, which he described as too burdensome.

The Daily Mail reported that it reached out to Cain’s representatives for further comment.

Cain sounded far more enthusiastic when discussing his new home state, praising Nevada as a place full of opportunity.

“It’s the entertainment capital of the world, there’s sports, there are concerts, there is everything in the world here,” he said. “I love it. And there’s a film industry here as well.”

Cain became a household name playing Clark Kent and Superman on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, which aired from 1993 to 1997. The series co-starred Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane and helped cement Cain as one of the most familiar TV faces of the decade.

He later appeared on shows including Las Vegas, Clubhouse, and Beverly Hills, 90210. These days, however, Cain said he has been putting more of his energy into independent films — many of them being made far away from the traditional Hollywood system.

“I just shot a movie in Alabama, I just got back from a movie in Texas,” he said. “You know, it’s everywhere else. Hollywood’s behind the curve. And the ability to make these smaller independent films has been wonderful.”

Cain also pointed to the changing media landscape as another reason he believes Hollywood no longer has the same grip on the industry it once did. With streaming services, cable, network television, and independent platforms all competing for viewers, he said creators now have more ways than ever to get their work in front of an audience.

He described the business as “always evolving” and said opportunities are increasingly opening up in places outside Los Angeles.

The actor also reflected on just how much the entertainment world has changed since his early career. According to Cain, his adoptive father, filmmaker Christopher Cain, once told him that actors had to make a choice between television and film.

Cain said that eventually changed, with stars such as George Clooney and Johnny Depp using television as a springboard into major movie careers.

Then, he added, came a completely different kind of celebrity pipeline.

“And then it was make a sex tape and you get a shot to make a movie,” Cain said, referencing what he called “the Kardashian thing.”

Cain’s comments come after the conservative actor made headlines earlier this year when he joined ICE, a move that immediately sparked controversy and public debate.

He has also become more visible in conservative circles, including an appearance at CPAC in Texas in March. Now, Cain says some people have even urged him to consider a jump into politics in Nevada.

The actor revealed that he has met with Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, whom he praised as doing “a fantastic job.”

Cain did not rule out the idea of running for office one day, but said it would only happen if he believed he could genuinely improve life in the state.

“If I think I can make Nevada better, perhaps I’ll do it,” he said.

He added that he would not be interested in politics for the perks or the power.

“If I thought I could come in, do some good for this state of Nevada and for this country, I would do it and get out,” Cain said.

He concluded with a sharp jab at what he sees as the wrong reasons people enter public office.

“If I feel like I can help people, I think that should be the metric for why people get into politics,” Cain said. “Unfortunately, I think they get into politics for power, for money, and for prestige. I don’t need any of those things.”