Neal McDonough takes a firm stance against intimate scenes in his acting career. Going to the extent of refusing to engage in even kissing scenes. This practice is not uncommon among celebrities who have specific clauses in their contracts or personal boundaries they won’t compromise.
Neal McDonough’s decision doesn’t seem so odd considering other stars and their clauses
In the Fast and Furious franchise, stars like Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, and Jason Statham had clauses ensuring an ‘equal’ distribution of pain during action sequences. Resulting in unique production challenges. Neal McDonough’s decision to abstain from on-screen intimacy is not driven by a desire to maintain an action star image but is rooted in his religious beliefs.
A religious principle he stands by
The actor, citing his commitment to his faith, explicitly states that he won’t kiss another woman on screen. Considering it a form of infidelity under his religious principles. The 6-foot actor has been married to Robertson, a 6-foot-3 former bikini model from South Africa, since 2003. The two first crossed paths on the streets of London in 2001, and according to him, it was love at first sight.
“It was St. Patrick’s Day and we literally bumped into each other on the street, locked eyes, and that was it.” The actor said. “The next morning, I called the woman I was dating at the time and said, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not going to work out with us anymore. I just met the woman I’m going to marry.’ ”
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Married since December 2003 and parents to five children, Neal McDonough’s refusal to participate in intimate scenes has posed challenges in his career. He recalls being dismissed from the ABC series Scoundrels due to this stance. Leading to a period of difficulty in securing roles as he was perceived as a religious zealot.
“I was [surprised], and it was a horrible situation for me. 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.”
Nowadays, McDonough communicates his boundaries in advance to avoid similar incidents
When cast in Desperate Housewives, he informed the show’s creator, Marc Cherry, about his refusal to kiss on-screen. Despite the unconventional request for a show like Desperate Housewives, Cherry accepted it. Stating he would “just have to write better.”
“When Marc Cherry signed me, I told him, ’You probably already know this, but I won’t kiss anyone.’ But this is Desperate Housewives!’ Cherry said. I told him, ’I know.’ He waited for a few seconds and then responded, ’Okay, I’ll just have to write better.’”
Neal McDonough acknowledges feeling fortunate and content with his wife and family, emphasizing his prioritization of God and family in his life. Despite facing challenges, he considers himself the luckiest man to have his wife as his partner after building a life together with five children. “I’m the luckiest guy I know to have her as my partner in everything after five kids and a great life.”
