Neal McDonough refuses to kiss anyone in movies or TV shows as his ‘lips are meant for one woman.’
McDonough, 58, is an American actor, best known as Lieutenant Lynn ‘Buck’ Compton in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and President Dwight D. Eisenhower in American Horror Story: Double Feature, for which he was critically applauded.
While the star may have found success, he’s revealed that it’s not been smooth sailing, with his stance on kissing having caused issues in his career.
McDonough earned praise from fans for his decision to refuse on-screen kisses out of respect for his wife.
One fan wrote, “He set a good rule for himself.”
Another agreed, saying, “Respect to him. He’s one in a billion for that.”
“Good for him,” commented a third.
Another added, “He’s entitled to set boundaries, just like anyone else.”
McDonough and his wife, Ruvé McDonough, met in England while he was filming Band of Brothers, and he says it was love at first sight.
He recalled: “She knew there was something right off of the beginning, but for me, I could just see, ‘Wow, this girl is just phenomenal.’ She’s my good luck charm.
“Everything that I am today is because of Ruvé.”
The couple tied the knot in 2003 and have welcomed five children.
While family life has been blissful for McDonough, the same can’t be said for his career in acting.
The actor was reportedly fired from the ABC series Scoundrels in 2010 after refusing to engage in s** scenes with his co-star.
The network’s alleged decision to fire McDonough was a shocker, as his refusal to do intimate scenes is well-known, reports the New York Daily News.
At the time, ABC said the move was simply a ‘casting change,’ per Fox News.
The star movies recalled the difficult time to Closer Weekly: “After that, I couldn’t get a job because everybody thought I was this religious zealot. I am very religious.”
McDonough is against any kissing or intimate scenes in his work as he is a devout Catholic who puts ‘God and family first.’
The actor will not compromise on this rule, firmly stating: “These lips are meant for one woman.”
Although McDonough’s stance may have complicated some roles, it hasn’t significantly held him back.
From 2008 to 2009, he starred as Dave Williams in Desperate Housewives season 5, a series that follows a group of suburban women navigating domestic struggles, crime, mystery, and romance.
When Closer Weekly asked how he avoided love scenes in the show, McDonough recalled, “When movies [creator] Marc Cherry signed me, I said, ‘I’m sure you know, but I won’t kiss anybody.’ He responded, ‘But this is Desperate Housewives!’ I said, ‘I know.’ He paused for about five seconds and then said, ‘All right, I’m just going to have to write better.’”
Since his 2012 role in Justified, McDonough says his career has flourished, and he feels he’s “come out of it on the other side.” He told Fox News, “I couldn’t be in a better place in my career.
“Every step I’ve taken and every challenge I’ve faced has led me to this moment. It’s a moment I’m truly cherishing, and I’m proud of my work and what I’ve accomplished.”
