'Yellowstone' Star Gets Candid About Losing 'Everything' After Refusing to Kiss Other Women Onscreen

For years, the Hollywood star built a steady career playing some of television and film's most recognizable villains. But behind the scenes, a deeply personal choice would test his resolve, reshape his path, and ultimately define the legacy he's now creating on his own terms.

During a July 30 episode of the "Nothing Left Unsaid" podcast, actor Neal McDonough opened up about how his career took a drastic turn after he made the personal decision not to perform intimate scenes with other women onscreen.

Known for his standout roles in "Boomtown" and "Desperate Housewives," McDonough recounted a challenging period in his life and career that he described as transformative.

Reflecting on his decision, McDonough said, "I'd always had in my contracts that I wouldn't kiss another woman on screen. And my wife didn't have any problem with it. It was me really who had a problem. I was like, 'Yeah, I don't want to put you through it. I know we're going to start having kids, and I don't want to put my kids through it.'"

That choice, however, had consequences that affected both his personal and professional life. When asked to share more about the fallout from his stance, the "Yellowstone" star detailed how the industry reacted.

"Intimacy is a whole different thing for me. So when I wouldn't do it and they couldn't understand it, Hollywood just completely turned on me, and they wouldn't let me be part of the show anymore. And for two years, I couldn't get a job, and I lost everything you could possibly imagine. Not just houses and material things, but your swagger, your cool, who you are, your identity, everything," he noted.

He described the two years as a personal crisis that extended beyond material loss. "My identity was an actor and a really good one," he revealed. "And once you don't have that identity, you're kind of lost in a tailspin."

McDonough added that the struggles led him to develop a drinking problem as he wrestled with feelings of being misunderstood and professionally sidelined.

Still, McDonough found a path forward. He credited the hardships with shaping his present success, sharing, "Sometimes you need to be crucified in life to realize what life is really about. It's about family. It's about God. It's about what you can do to make the world a better place while you're here for that finite amount of time."

His faith and family became central in his recovery. After stepping away from drinking and returning to regular church attendance, McDonough said the change was profound.

"Literally the clouds parted," he recalled. "I was like, 'Oh, I don't need this crutch. Oh, people are calling me. Oh, I am successful. Oh, I do like myself again. Okay, I am God's child and I have a job to do.'"

With renewed clarity and purpose, he added, "At 59 years old, I'm more busy than I've ever been in my whole life because I have this clarity. I have a goal and I have a vision."

In a full-circle moment, McDonough recently starred in "The Last Rodeo," a project he also wrote and produced. It marked a departure from his usual villain roles, allowing him to portray a character aligned with his personal values. However, the film did involve a rare onscreen kiss — but only under one condition.

To honor his boundaries, McDonough cast his wife, Ruve McDonough, in the role of his character's deceased spouse. He explained, "I said, I'm not doing the movie unless you play my wife because I'm not going to kiss some other woman on screen."

Though she is not an actress by profession, Ruve has experience as a model and performed confidently. "She crushed it," McDonough stated, noting that the opportunity to share that moment on screen with his real-life wife was a meaningful highlight in his career.

The couple's bond continues to be a cornerstone of McDonough's life. In a June 2023 Instagram post, the actor shared a personal message marking nearly two decades of marriage. "She said... YES! YES! YES! And YES again!!! Almost 20 years of marriage, & 23 years together. The best decision I ever made in my life asking Ruve to be my life partner and soulmate [sic]."

Over the years, McDonough has been quite vocal about his stance on screen intimacy. In a January 2019 article by Closer Weekly, he confirmed that his commitment to his wife directly influenced the roles he accepted — and the ones he lost.

The report noted that McDonough was fired from the ABC drama "Scoundrels" in 2010 after refusing to participate in love scenes. "I won't kiss any other woman because these lips are meant for one woman," he mentioned at the time, referring to his wife.

Away from the spotlight of personal headlines, McDonough's career spans film, television, stage, and voice work. His film credits include "Minority Report," "Walking Tall," "Star Trek: First Contact," and his acclaimed role in "Band of Brothers."

On stage, he recently portrayed Whitey Bulger in "Finding Whitey" at Boston's Wilbur Theatre and played Daddy Warbucks in "Annie."

His versatility extends to voiceover work, where he provided the voice for Bruce Banner in "The Incredible Hulk" and characters in popular video games such as "Call of Duty: Zombies." His voice has also become familiar to audiences through brand campaigns for Fidelity and Cadillac.

Despite the challenges that once sidelined him, Neal McDonough's career remains active and evolving, built on the very principles that once caused Hollywood to turn away.