“These Lips Are Meant for One Woman”: Neil McDonough Stays True to His Values — Even in Hollywood

In an industry known for compromise, actor Neil McDonough has never wavered on one personal vow: he refuses to do kissing or sex scenes out of respect for his wife, Ruvé. But in his latest film, the script called for a kiss—and instead of backing down or breaking his promise, McDonough found a powerful solution.

He asked his real-life wife to step in and play the woman he kisses.

The couple, married with five children, made the rare move to protect a promise McDonough has honored throughout his career. “As I’ve said a million times—these lips are meant for one woman,” he told reporters.

McDonough has paid the price for his convictions. In 2010, he was fired from the ABC drama Scoundrels for refusing to do a sex scene with actress Virginia Madsen. “They said, ‘Do it or you’re out.’ I said, ‘Then I’m out.’ And they let me go.” The fallout was severe: blacklisted for two years, he lost his home, his car, and his confidence.

“People thought I was some kind of religious extremist,” he said. “But to me, it was about love and doing what’s right.”

Now, years later, McDonough is proving that staying true to your values doesn’t mean sacrificing your art — and that in Hollywood, integrity still has a place.