Hollywood's Harsh Reckoning: Neal McDonough 'Lost Everything' for Respecting Vows

Neal McDonough Spills Tea on Why He Was Blacklisted from Hollywood

Veteran actor Neal McDonough, 59, has finally opened up about the scandal that nearly ruined his career - and it's a juicy one! In an explosive interview with podcast hosts Tim Green and Troy Green on Nothing Left Unsaid, McDonough revealed why he was blackballed by Hollywood for several years.

It all started when McDonough, a devout husband to wife Ruve McDonough (whom he's been married to since 2003 and shares five adorable kids with), insisted that his contracts include a clause stating that he would not kiss any women other than his spouse on screen. Yes, you read that right - the handsome actor was willing to sacrifice his career rather than compromise his marital vows.

"I'd always had it in my contracts that I wouldn't kiss another woman on screen," McDonough explained, his voice filled with conviction. "My wife didn't have a problem with it - it was me who had a problem with it." But little did McDonough know that his strict adherence to his marital vows would be the very thing that led to his downfall in Hollywood.

According to McDonough, producers just couldn't wrap their heads around his refusal to kiss other women on camera. "When I wouldn't do it... they couldn't understand," he said, shaking his head. "Hollywood just completely turned on me, and they wouldn't let me be part of the show anymore."

The consequences were dire: McDonough was unable to land a job for two years straight, resulting in a catastrophic loss of everything he held dear - including his material possessions, his self-confidence, and even his identity as an actor. "Not just houses [and] material things, but your swagger, your cool, who you are, your identity - everything," McDonough revealed, his voice cracking with emotion.

The talented actor's struggles were not limited to a mere two years; he said that the effects of being blacklisted lingered for an extended period. "Once you don't have that identity, you're kind of lost in a tailspin... And I was in a big, ugly tailspin for a couple of years," McDonough confessed.

But it seems that McDonough has finally found his footing again. His most recent role came in the May feature film The Last Rodeo, which he not only starred in but also wrote. In this rodeo drama, McDonough played the lead role of Joe Wainwright, while his spouse Ruve portrayed the role of his wife Rose Wainwright - and yes, they did share a kiss on screen.

The supporting cast included notable actors Mykelti Williamson, Sarah Jones, Graham Harvey, and Christopher McDonald. While McDonough's experience may have been a dark one, it's clear that he's come out stronger on the other side - and we couldn't be more thrilled for him!

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This article was originally published on TheScholarlyNote.com