“Boon” star, Neal McDonough was blacklisted in Hollywood in the early 2010’s, and he relied on his relationship with God to get through the tough times that followed.
Why Neal McDonough Was Blacklisted
Neal McDonough is known for his role in many hit shows and movies, from “Project Blue Book” and Paramount’s new favorite, “Yellowstone” to Netflix’s series, “Altered Carbon” and the popular movies, “Minority Report” and “Captain America.” He’s even done some stage work, including acting in Vancouver’s “Willy Wonka,” and playing in “Annie” as Daddy Warbucks. But there was a “hard few years” when Neal McDonough was blacklisted in Hollywood, in the midst of his career due to his faith and desire to honor his wife and family.
It all started when he was working on the set of “Scoundrels,” and ABC series that only ran for a year. The 56-year-old actor refused to do sex-scenes on the show, and although this was a known preference of his, after the “Desperate Housewives” creator went out of his way to write the script of that series, avoiding even kissing scenes for Neal McDonough, ABC fired the actor three days into the filming of “Scoundrels.”
“I won’t kiss any other woman because these lips are meant for one woman,” Neal McDonough told Fox News, discussing his desire to remain completely faithful to his wife, Ruvé.
As a devout Catholic, Neal McDonough was blacklisted by the Hollywood industry due to this clause after being let go from the cast of “Scoundrels.”
“I couldn’t get a job because people thought I was this crazy religious guy, Neal McDonough explained. “But that wasn’t the case. I love my wife, but I love my acting too. I was hopeful that, at some point, someone would give me a chance again.”
Listen to him talk to “Inside of You” about the subject:
He Relied on Faith to Cope
True to the reason he had the rule of no sex-scenes, after Neal McDonough was blacklisted by Hollywood, he relied on his faith.
Explaining what this looked like, the actor said, “I remember falling to my knees and saying, ‘God, why have you forgotten about me? Why am I being punished so much?”
However, the actor explains that with this prayers, he gained some perspective from God. “And as soon as those words came out of my mouth,” he said, “I realized what self-absorbed questions those were. God has given me so much. We all experience challenges in our lives. I should be grateful – and thankful – for all the blessings I’m given.”
Thankfully, with time and prayer, the actor says opportunities to act returned…
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