The EssentialShowbiz Dictionary™

of Entertainment Industry Terms

Morality Clause

1 minute read | Last updated: 4 months ago

What does Morality Clause mean?

Morality Clause is a provision in a contract that allows a company or employer to terminate the agreement if the employee or contractor engages in behavior that is considered immoral or damaging to the company’s reputation. In the entertainment industry, morality clauses are often included in actor, director, or endorsement contracts to protect the studio, brand, or production from scandals or misconduct that could harm the project. For example, if an actor is involved in a public scandal, a morality clause may allow the production company to terminate the contract without financial penalty.

Example:The studio included a morality clause in the actor’s contract to protect the production from negative publicity in the event of a scandal.
Example: Morality clauses are commonly used in endorsement deals to ensure that a celebrity’s actions do not negatively impact the brand’s image.

Did You Know?
Morality clauses date back to the early days of Hollywood, when studios wanted to protect themselves from the public misbehavior of movie stars!

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