Unanimous L.A. Jury Rejects Rockmond Dunbar

An L.A. federal jury unanimously rejected former 9-1-1 actor Rockmond Dunbar's claim that Disney-owned 20th Television fired him over religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine, ruling for the studio after a four-day trial. Dunbar sued in 2022, saying he was written off the show in late 2021 after requesting medical and then religious exemptions as a member of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which he testified opposes injections and certain medical interventions. In court he described the vaccine as part of a "spiritual war" and said he stood with God, while Disney attorneys, led by Maria Rodriguez, questioned his credibility and pointed to his routine use of prescribed medications, including synthetic testosterone and anastrozole, as inconsistent with his professed beliefs. The jury found the studio had lawfully enforced workplace safety protocols; when the verdict was read Dunbar reacted emotionally, apologizing to his wife and children, and said losing the roughly $100,000-per-episode role has left him struggling to find work. Disney said it was pleased with the verdict.