How I was blacklisted for refusing to kiss other women — Neal McDonough

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Veteran Hollywood actor Neal McDonough has opened up about the personal cost of staying true to his values, revealing that he was blacklisted in Hollywood for refusing to participate in romantic scenes that involved kissing other women.

In a recent interview, McDonough shared that his strong commitment to his marriage led him to include a no-kissing clause in his contracts, stating he would not engage in on-screen intimacy with actresses other than his wife.

While the decision was grounded in personal conviction and mutual respect for his marriage, it didn’t sit well with some producers and casting directors.

“I always had in my contracts that I wouldn’t kiss another woman on screen. My wife didn’t have any problem with it. It was me, really, who had a problem,” McDonough said.

He explained that as he and his wife began planning for children, he decided to avoid romantic scenes altogether, prioritising his family’s comfort and values.

However, his choice came at a steep professional cost. The actor claimed he was fired from a TV show for refusing to wear a “modesty sock” during a simulated sex scene and that Hollywood “turned on” him, leaving him unemployed for two years.

“They wouldn’t let me be part of the show anymore. And for two years, I couldn’t get a job, and I lost everything you could possibly imagine, not just houses and material things, but your swagger, your cool, who you are, your identity, everything,” he recounted.

Despite the adversity, McDonough said he has no regrets about his decision. His career eventually found footing again after producer Graham Yost offered him a role in the acclaimed series Justified, marking the beginning of his comeback.

Now widely respected for both his acting skills and principled stand, McDonough continues to build his legacy in Hollywood on his terms.

The actor is best known for his roles in Band of Brothers, Yellowstone, and Desperate Housewives.