Neal McDonough has built an impressive acting career while staying true to one personal rule: he won’t kiss anyone but his wife on screen. Known for his roles in Band of Brothers and Desperate Housewives, the 58-year-old actor has never wavered in his commitment to his marriage, even when it cost him major opportunities.
McDonough’s stance has led to professional challenges, including losing roles and being labeled as difficult in Hollywood. One of the most notable setbacks came in 2010 when he was reportedly fired from the ABC series Scoundrels for refusing to film intimate scenes with co-star Virginia Madsen. The decision cost him an estimated $1 million, but he refused to compromise. “It was a tough time,” he admitted. “People thought I was some kind of religious fanatic, and jobs dried up for a while. But I’d rather stay true to my values than betray what I believe in.”
Despite the backlash, McDonough found ways to keep working without sacrificing his principles. When he joined Desperate Housewives as Nicollette Sheridan’s on-screen husband, he made it clear from the start that he wouldn’t participate in kissing scenes. Show creator Marc Cherry respected his choice and rewrote the storyline to accommodate him. “I had to write better to make it work,” Cherry said—proving that compelling storytelling doesn’t always require physical romance.
Off-screen, McDonough’s devotion to his wife, Ruve Robertson, is just as strong. The couple met by chance in London in 2001, and McDonough knew instantly that she was the one. “I called the woman I was dating at the time and said, ‘It’s over—I just met my future wife,'” he recalled. They married in 2003 and have since built a loving family with five children.
McDonough’s career has thrived despite his boundaries, with roles in major franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Yellowstone. His story is a testament to the power of staying true to oneself—even in an industry that often demands compromise.
