I Was Blacklisted in Hollywood for Refusing Kissing Scenes, Claims Neal McDonough

Veteran Hollywood actor, Neal McDonough has opened up about a deeply personal and professional decision that nearly cost him his career: his refusal to engage in on-screen kissing or intimate scenes.

In a recent appearance on the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast, McDonough revealed that this long-standing rule—driven by his Christian faith and dedication to his wife—led to him being effectively blacklisted by the film and television industry for years.

McDonough, who is widely known for his roles in Band of Brothers, Desperate Housewives, Suits, and Yellowstone, said his contract stipulations against kissing any woman other than his wife were non-negotiable.

He emphasized that the decision was entirely his own and not the result of pressure from his spouse. “I’ve kissed one woman in the last 20 years—my wife,” he said. “That’s the rule. And that’s just what I live by.”

His stance, however, was not welcomed in mainstream Hollywood. He recalled being dropped from a TV role in 2010—reportedly ABC’s Scoundrels—after he declined to perform romantic scenes.

According to McDonough, this moment marked the beginning of a difficult period of professional exile. “Hollywood just completely turned on me,” he said. “They wouldn’t let me be part of the show anymore. I lost everything. Not just houses and material things—but I lost my identity.”

McDonough described that phase of his life as one filled with personal struggles, including a battle with alcohol and depression. “Once you lose that [career identity], you’re kind of lost in a tailspin,” he admitted. He went on to explain that the financial impact was significant, but the emotional toll of being cut off from his life’s work was even heavier.

His fortunes began to change when he was offered a role on the television series Justified, thanks to the support of writer-producer Graham Yost, a former collaborator from Band of Brothers. The role helped revive his reputation and opened doors to more work—especially as a compelling screen villain, a niche he has embraced.

In recent years, McDonough has focused on projects that align with his faith and values. He co-wrote and produced the film The Last Rodeo, a faith-based project where he cast his real-life wife, Ruvé, as his character’s spouse—allowing him to include an on-screen kiss that stayed true to his moral convictions.

Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I can’t imagine anything really better than that… because it’s finally one of those things where I made it, and I did it our way.”

Despite the hardship, McDonough remains unwavering in his beliefs. He says he is grateful for the journey, even the painful parts, because it strengthened his faith and deepened his commitment to his family. “Everybody’s timeline and purpose are different,” he said. “I just chose to walk mine in a way that honors what I believe.”

Today, Neal McDonough stands as a rare figure in Hollywood—one who has paid the price for his convictions, weathered the consequences, and reemerged stronger on the other side.