Hollywood actor Neal McDonough is speaking up about how his firm personal convictions — especially his long-standing refusal to kiss any woman other than his wife on screen — once cost him work but ultimately led to a more meaningful career and stronger family life.
The Yellowstone and Band of Brothers star had previously revealed on the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast that he was fired from ABC’s Scoundrels for this very reason, adding that he “lost everything” after that moment. But now, Neal and his wife, South African producer and model Ruvé Robertson, are shifting the narrative.
In a recent sit-down with TMZ, Ruvé said Hollywood didn’t exactly shut its doors on her husband. Instead, she credited key figures like Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood for recognizing Neal’s talent and giving him major roles in Minority Report, Flags of Our Fathers, and Band of Brothers.
“The right people found Neal and put him in the right places,” she said.
The couple, married since 2003 and parents to five children, say their strong moral code has guided both their relationship and his career. “We’re so fortunate,” Neal added during the interview, as the pair exchanged affectionate glances and even a kiss on camera.
Ruvé also mentioned how they used to tell their kids that any swearing they heard in Neal’s roles had been dubbed in. She shared that even hearing their father curse on screen made the children uncomfortable — a reflection of how grounded their family values are.
Though McDonough faced a temporary setback in the industry, the couple insists it led them to firmer ground, eventually allowing them to start their own production company and inspire other actors walking similar paths.
“We cannot explain how blessed we are and how happy we are,” Ruvé said. “Hollywood didn’t turn its back. It steered us where we were meant to go.”
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