Neal McDonough has spoken out about a period in his career when he was blacklisted by Hollywood. The actor recently revealed that his refusal to kiss co-stars on screen led to severe professional consequences.
Neal McDonough reveals how Hollywood blacklisted him
Neal McDonough, recognized for his performances in Band of Brothers, Desperate Housewives, Minority Report, American Horror Story, and Suits, has opened up about being blacklisted in Hollywood. Speaking on the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast, the actor explained that his refusal to engage in on-screen kissing led to him being excluded from major opportunities in the industry.
McDonough revealed that he has always insisted on including a no-kissing clause in his contracts. He said, “I’d always had in my contracts that I wouldn’t kiss another woman on-screen. My wife didn’t really have a problem with it. It was me really who had a problem.” The actor explained that they were planning to have children, and he was concerned about the potential impact on them. He has been married to Ruvé Robertson since 2003 and shares five children with her.
McDonough said the consequences of the decision were severe and personal. He said, “For two years, I couldn’t get a job and I lost everything you could possibly imagine.” He explained that he lost not only his material possessions but also his sense of identity. The actor added, “My identity was an actor, and a really good one. And once you don’t have that identity, you’re kind of lost in a tailspin.”
While McDonough didn’t specify the exact period in his career when this occurred, he has since returned to the screen in various roles. Most recently, he starred in The Last Rodeo, an Angel Studios drama that follows a former bull-riding champion. McDonough has also remained active in television. He starred in Yellowstone, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and Tulsa King, among others.
