In the typically secular world of Hollywood, it’s difficult for an actor to stay true to his Christian values.
That’s what makes it so unusual that Neal McDonough has managed to do just that.
McDonough never goes against his Christian values, even if it costs him roles.
For example, he won’t kiss any woman other than his wife, even if it means he’ll be fired from his job.
Ever since he began his career thirty years ago, McDonough has adamantly refused to do sex scenes.
As a father of five, McDonough remains totally devoted to his beloved wife.
“I won’t kiss any other woman because these lips are meant for one woman,” he said.
Many times, Hollywood has respected his religious convictions, like when he landed a role on the sexually charged television show “Desperate Housewives.”
“When Marc Cherry signed me, I said, ‘I’m sure you know, but I won’t kiss anybody,'” McDonough said of the show’s 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.'”
However, other times his Christian faith has led to him being fired. After being cast on the ABC show “Scoundrels” in 2010, filming was set to begin in three days when McDonough got replaced for refusing to perform steamy scenes with co-star Virginia Madsen.
For getting kicked off the show, McDonough lost out on $1 million dollars and saw his reputation in Hollywood take a major hit, but he has no regrets.
“It was a horrible situation for me,” McDonough recalled. “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.”
However, McDonough’s love for his wife Ruvé and God have made his choices all worth it to him.
“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,” McDonough 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.”
Though things were tough for McDonough when he lost that role, he said his career has been “phenomenal ever since.”
“My wife says I need to write a book and call it Just Famous Enough,” he joked.
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