Terrence Howard recently revealed that he turned down a role to portray Marvin Gaye in a biopic because the film required him to kiss another man, something he felt he couldn’t do.
Speaking on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, the actor explained his decision, saying that he wouldn’t be able to fake such an intimate act on camera. Howard stated, “I can’t play that character 100 percent. I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”
The biopic, directed by Lee Daniels, had already garnered significant attention, and it was music producer Quincy Jones who confirmed to Howard that Marvin Gaye was gay. Despite the role offering a significant opportunity, Howard expressed that the requirement of a same-sex kiss made him uncomfortable.
“I was over at Quincy Jones’ house and I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’” Howard recalled asking Jones, who passed away in November.
“And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’”
Howard then decided he “could not” star in Daniels’ movie
“They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” he said of portraying a gay person
That would f—k me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”
While Howard’s stance was firm, he was quick to clarify that his rejection of the role did not stem from homophobia. Instead, he emphasized his personal process of preparing for roles, which involves fully understanding and embodying the character.
Howard’s comments have sparked conversation about the boundaries actors set for themselves in terms of portraying real-life figures and stepping into uncomfortable situations for the sake of art.
