The CIA in Hollywood

More about the book

What’s your impression of the CIA? Is it a bumbling agency, a rogue organization, or a dedicated public service? Popular media has portrayed the CIA in various lights, with a recent trend toward more positive depictions. However, few are aware that the Central Intelligence Agency has actively shaped film and television content, particularly since establishing an entertainment liaison program in the mid-1990s. This investigation explores the intricate relationship between the Agency and the entertainment industry. Drawing on interviews with CIA public affairs staff, operations officers, historians, and Hollywood professionals, the author uncovers the CIA’s influence in productions like The Agency, In the Company of Spies, Alias, The Recruit, The Sum of All Fears, Enemy of the State, Syriana, and The Good Shepherd. The research highlights the significant power the CIA holds in Hollywood and raises critical questions about the ethics and legality of a government agency leveraging popular media to manipulate its public image.