Neal McDonough, a prolific character actor known for numerous film and television roles throughout the 2020s, revealed that a specific clause in his contract limiting on-screen romantic scenes affected his career trajectory. This so-called Neal McDonough No-Kiss Contract reportedly led to a period when casting opportunities dried up, causing him to be effectively blacklisted in Hollywood.
McDonough explained on Tim Green’s Nothing Left Unsaid podcast,
“I always had in my contracts that I wouldn’t kiss another woman on-screen.”
He added,
“My wife didn’t really have a 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.’”
Personal Life and Early Career Highlights
Since 2003, McDonough has been married to Ruvé Robertson, a South African model he met while filming Band of Brothers. The couple has five children. This acclaimed miniseries remains one of McDonough’s defining early roles, followed by his part in Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film Minority Report. Over the years, McDonough maintained a steady presence in both movies and television as a reliable character actor.
Hollywood Rejection and Career Struggles
McDonough recounted how his refusal to perform romantic scenes eventually resulted in Hollywood turning against him.
“Hollywood just completely turned on me, and they wouldn’t let me be part of the show anymore,”
he said.
“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. My identity was an actor, and a really good one.”
Transitioning Into Villain Roles
After facing this professional setback, McDonough redirected his efforts toward playing villains, becoming known for such roles in both film and television. He landed a key role as Damien Darhk in the CW’s DC universe series, including Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. Determined to excel, he aimed to become
“the best villain on the planet.”
He reflected,
“I think I kind of achieved that, to an extent.”
Recent Projects and Continuing Challenges
In 2025, McDonough co-wrote and starred in The Last Rodeo for Angel Studios and followed up with a lead role in the studio’s Homestead last year. He also joined the cast of the second season of Tulsa King, acting alongside Sylvester Stallone. Despite these successes, McDonough acknowledged the emotional toll of his earlier struggles.
“Once you don’t have that identity, you’re kind of lost in a tailspin,”
he said.
“I was in a big, ugly tailspin for a couple of years, and it still took me a couple of years thereafter to kind of break the habit of, ‘Am I really in the show, or is this just kind of a part-time thing?’”
The Lasting Effect of the No-Kiss Clause
Neal McDonough’s experience underscores how personal choices tied to industry expectations can critically influence an actor’s career and mental well-being. The Neal McDonough No-Kiss Contract led to a significant period of professional isolation, yet also prompted a reinvention that carved out a specialized niche for him in Hollywood villainy. His story may serve as a cautionary tale about the complexities actors face balancing personal values with career demands.
