While Taylor Swift’s alleged involvement as a government spy was swiftly debunked by the United States Department of Defense, the notion of celebrities serving as covert agents is not entirely far-fetched. From Hollywood stars to renowned authors and musicians, various personalities have been linked to intelligence agencies worldwide.
Cary Grant, Josephine Baker, Julia Child, Chaim Topol, and Coco Chanel are among the notable figures rumored to have worked as covert agents. Grant reportedly assisted the FBI and British intelligence during World War II, while Baker, living in Paris, gathered intelligence for French military intelligence.
Authors such as John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway are said to have offered their services to intelligence agencies, with Steinbeck allegedly providing information to the CIA in Paris during the 1950s. Meanwhile, musicians Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman were sent abroad by the US government to promote democratic values during the Cold War.
Julia Child, before becoming a culinary icon, worked for the precursor to the CIA during World War II, focusing on developing strategies to aid sailors and airmen. Israeli actor Chaim Topol, best known for his role in “Fiddler on The Roof,” was revealed to have worked for Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.
The intersection of entertainment and espionage is further explored in instances such as the CIA’s rescue operation during the Iran hostage crisis, which inspired the film “Argo,” and the alleged CIA involvement in the creation of the Scorpions’ song “Wind of Change.”
Beyond celebrities, makeup artists and illusionists have also been recruited by intelligence agencies for disguise and deception.
