The FBI Kept Files on These 5 A-Listers

Many stars have found themselves on the FBI’s radar, not for their fame, but due to their political views, alleged criminal activity, or simply being associated with controversial figures. Here are five celebrities who have FBI files and the surprising reasons behind them.

1. John Lennon

Yoko Ono and John Lennon at John Sinclair Freedom Rally in 1971. Photo courtesy of the Michiganensian. Public domain.

The former Beatle had an FBI file due to his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War. Alongside his wife, Yoko Ono, Lennon became a symbol of the anti-war movement in the 1970s. The U.S. government feared his influence and potential to mobilize protests. The FBI tracked his activities closely, and his file includes surveillance records and documentation of his political affiliations

2. Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe, 1953. Photo courtesy of Archive.org. Public domain.

Marilyn Monroe’s FBI file wasn’t directly related to her, but to her husband, playwright Arthur Miller. The FBI suspected Miller of communist sympathies, and by association, Monroe was also placed under scrutiny. Her file also contains references to conspiracy theories surrounding her death in 1962, with some speculating that the FBI and CIA may have been involved.

3. Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs shows off the iPhone 4 at the 2010 Worldwide Developers Conference. Photo by Matthew Yohe under CC BY-SA 3.0.

In 1991, when Steve Jobs was being considered for a position on the U.S. President’s Export Council, the FBI conducted a background check on the Apple^® founder. His file included interviews with colleagues who questioned his honesty and referenced his experimentation with LSD in his youth. While the file didn’t hinder his career, it paints a picture of a man viewed with suspicion by some government officials.

4. John Denver

Photo of John Denver from the television special “An Evening With John Denver”, 1975. Photo courtesy of ABC Television. Public domain.

Famous for his folk hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” John Denver’s FBI file was opened after his appearance at an anti-Vietnam War rally in 1971. His outspoken political views, along with his admission of drug use in his autobiography, landed him on the Bureau’s radar. Denver’s file also included details about death threats he received in the 1970s.

5. Helen Keller

Helen Keller in 1899 with lifelong companion and teacher Anne Sullivan. Photo courtesy of Archive.org. Public domain.

Known for her incredible accomplishments as a deaf and blind advocate, Helen Keller was also a vocal socialist. In the early 20th century, her political views were considered dangerous, especially her opposition to President Woodrow Wilson and her support for birth control and workers’ rights. The FBI kept a close eye on Keller, believing her socialist views could pose a threat to national security.

From political activism to personal relationships, these celebrities found themselves under FBI scrutiny for reasons that go far beyond their public personas. Whether seen as potential threats or simply caught in the crossfire of historical events, their FBI files offer a glimpse into the power and influence they wielded during their lifetimes.

References: 13 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had FBI Files | The surprising list of celebrities the FBI has files on