Neal McDonough Claims Hollywood Blacklisted Him for Refusing to Do Kissing Scenes

Hollywood actor Neal McDonough, known for his roles in Band of Brothers, Desperate Housewives, and Yellowstone, has opened up about a painful chapter in his career — being allegedly blacklisted by the industry for staying true to his moral and religious convictions. In a recent interview, McDonough claimed that his refusal to perform love scenes, particularly kissing scenes with actresses other than his wife, cost him jobs and nearly ended his career.

The actor, a devout Catholic and committed family man, has long held a strict personal policy: no on-screen intimacy out of respect for his marriage. He’s been married to model Ruvé Robertson since 2003 and shares five children with her. According to McDonough, his refusal to perform certain scenes led to him being labeled “difficult” or “hard to work with.”

“I was fired from a job — a really big one — just days before filming because I wouldn’t do kissing scenes,” McDonough said. “People thought I was crazy. But I just couldn’t do that to my wife and family.”

One of the most public examples of this was in 2010, when McDonough was reportedly let go from the ABC series Scoundrels for refusing to film intimate scenes. The dismissal sent shockwaves through his career, and roles began to dry up. He said there were years when offers stopped coming, and he began to question whether he would ever work in Hollywood again.

Despite the setback, McDonough never wavered in his convictions. He attributes his ability to stay grounded during this tough period to his faith and his wife’s unwavering support.

“I’d rather hold true to who I am than take roles that compromise my beliefs. God has a bigger plan,” he said.

Eventually, Hollywood did come calling again. In recent years, McDonough has made a comeback with roles that align with his values. He’s taken on a variety of characters — often villains — in projects like Arrow, Yellowstone, and the Resident Evil franchise. He’s also begun producing his own content, where he can have creative control and choose roles that fit his moral boundaries.

McDonough’s story has sparked conversation in the entertainment industry about the challenges actors face when their personal beliefs conflict with Hollywood norms. While some applaud his integrity, others question whether personal convictions should affect professional obligations in acting.

Still, McDonough remains unapologetic. “I love acting, but not at the cost of my soul or my marriage,” he said.

With his career on the rise again and a new production company in the works, McDonough hopes to inspire other actors to stand firm in their values — and to show that success doesn’t have to come at the price of personal sacrifice.

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