Veteran American actor Neal McDonough has revealed that he was blacklisted in Hollywood for refusing to kiss actresses on screen, citing his commitment to his marriage and family values.
During an appearance on the 'Nothing Left Unsaid' podcast, McDonough disclosed that he consistently included a "no kissing" clause in all his acting contracts, a stance that eventually led to him being ostracized by industry producers.
"In my contracts I always add that I would not kiss another woman on screen. My wife didn't have problems with it. It was just me who had a problem like, 'Yeah, I don't want to put you through it'," McDonough explained.
The actor, known for his roles in productions like "Band of Brothers" and "Desperate Housewives," further elaborated on his principles: "I know we're going to start having kids, and I don't want to put my kids through it. Hollywood just completely turned on me. They wouldn't let me be part of the show anymore."
McDonough described the devastating professional consequences of his decision, stating that he "couldn't get a job for two years" and "lost it all." The actor emphasized that the losses extended beyond material possessions to include his professional identity.
"Not just material things and houses, but your cool, swagger, who you are, including your identity. And I was told 'unless you do it, we're gonna have to replace you'," he recounted.
Despite the significant career setback, McDonough remained steadfast in his convictions. "I'm like, 'then I'm not going to do it.' And they fired me. I knew I did the right thing for my marriage, for God and for me," he affirmed.
McDonough's story highlights the often unseen challenges actors face when personal values conflict with industry expectations, particularly in an environment where intimate scenes are commonplace.
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