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Neal McDonough says Hollywood 'canceled' him over on-screen kissing refusal, credits Luke Perry for support
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Neal McDonough says Hollywood 'canceled' him over on-screen kissing refusal, credits Luke Perry for support

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Actor Neal McDonough claims Hollywood "canceled" him for refusing to kiss female co-stars due to his religious beliefs and devotion to his wife.
  • He stated this led to job losses, alcoholism, and losing his home, but a gesture from Luke Perry helped him recover.
  • McDonough has since rebuilt his career and personal life, emphasizing his faith and partnership with his wife in film projects.

Actor Neal McDonough has spoken out about his experiences in Hollywood, stating he was labeled a "religious fanatic" and effectively "canceled" for his refusal to kiss female co-stars on screen. The 60-year-old actor, known for roles in "Band of Brothers," "Desperate Housewives," and "Yellowstone," explained that this decision stemmed from both his religious convictions and his deep love for his wife, Ruvé Robertson, whom he married in 2003.

They kicked me off a series because I didn't want to kiss a woman. Nobody wanted to hire me because they thought I was a religious fanatic.

— Neal McDonoughMcDonough explained the professional consequences of his on-screen kissing policy.

McDonough recounted the severe professional repercussions, including losing numerous jobs and even his home. The professional fallout exacerbated a personal struggle with alcohol. "They kicked me off a series because I didn't want to kiss a woman. Nobody wanted to hire me because they thought I was a religious fanatic," McDonough told Fox News Digital. He confessed, "I lost the house, I lost the cars, I lost everything."

I lost the house, I lost the cars, I lost everything.

— Neal McDonoughThe actor described the devastating personal impact of being sidelined in Hollywood.

During this difficult period, actor Luke Perry offered crucial support. McDonough described Perry noticing his distress and inviting him and his family to stay at his Los Angeles home when McDonough had nowhere else to go. "Luke saw me destroyed and opened the doors of his house to me," McDonough recalled, calling Perry's gesture a pivotal moment in his emotional recovery.

Luke saw me destroyed and opened the doors of his house to me.

— Neal McDonoughMcDonough credited Luke Perry's act of kindness as a crucial part of his recovery.

McDonough's turning point also involved a frank conversation with his wife, who presented him with an ultimatum: "It's either us or the bottle. You choose." This led him to quit drinking and embark on a path of personal and professional rebuilding, guided by his faith. Today, McDonough and his wife co-produce film projects, and he reflects on his journey, noting that even Hollywood legends like James Stewart faced their own challenges.

It's either us or the bottle. You choose.

— Ruvé RobertsonMcDonough's wife gave him an ultimatum that marked a turning point in his struggle with alcohol.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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