Being faithful has costs. Neal McDonough, former star on ABC’s Scoundrels, says he was blacklisted in Hollywood for several years because he refused to perform sex scenes.
“It was a horrible situation for me,” he told Closer Weekly of being fired for refusing to perform sex scenes with co-star Virginia Madsen. “After that, I couldn’t get a job because everybody thought I was this religious zealot. I am very religious. I put God and family first, and me second. That’s what I live by. It was hard for a few years.”
The Boston native has had a no sex scenes policy for most of his 30-year career and not even his stint in “Desperate Housewives,” a highly sexualized series, made him compromise his rule.
“When Marc Cherry signed me, I said, ‘I’m sure you know, but I won’t kiss anybody,’” McDonough recalled telling the “Desperate Housewives” creator. “He was like, ‘But this is ‘Desperate Housewives!’’ I said, ‘I know.’
He paused for about five seconds and said, ‘All right, I’m just going to have to write better.’ And we had a great time.’”
The loyal husband maintained that he refuses to kiss a co-star “because these lips are meant for one woman.”
Despite being fired from “Scoundrels” in 2010 for standing by his convictions, McDonough celebrated his decision. He said his career “has been phenomenal ever since.”
“Almost 20 years, five kids and just one heck of an awesome life later, to have her as my partner in everything, I’m just the most blessed guy I know,” the 57-year-old said. “That’s why I go to church every day and say ‘thank you’ to God for everything He’s given me. And most importantly, thank you for giving me Ruvé, because, without her, I most certainly would not be talking with you right now.”
Being true to the Faith does carry a price in all aspects of life, and the entertainment industry is no different — especially when you’re a married man with mouths to feed.
Said McDonough on what he will and won’t do:
Two rules. I don’t use the Lord’s name in vain on TV or movies, and I don’t have sex scenes. How do I work as an actor after that? Okay, I’m the bad guy. I tell you, with five kids, I’ve got to keep working.
I’ve got to pay those bills. Every time I have a job, I have to figure out how to be the most creative and fun guy and great performance and all that stuff. Aside from that, I just love doing what I do. I have a great time doing it, and I’m blessed beyond belief to have the opportunity to keep working. I mean, this is 30 years in the business of constantly working on whatever. It’s been awesome.
Good for him! May he have many more years of success! It’s great to hear someone stand up.