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USA Today
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Neal McDonough recalls Hollywood backlash after refusing to kiss his costars onscreen
When it comes to his relationship with Hollywood, Neal McDonough is all for kissing and telling. During a July 30 interview on the "Nothing Left Unsaid" podcast, McDonough, known for his roles on series such as "Band of Brothers," "Boomtown" and "Desperate Housewives," opened up about his rocky experience in the entertainment industry due to his longstanding refusal to perform intimate scenes with his female costars. "Sometimes you need to be crucified in life to realize what life is really about," said McDonough, who is a devout Catholic. "It's about family. It's about God. It's about what you can do to make the world a better place while you're here for that finite amount of time." In a January 2019 interview with Closer Weekly, McDonough claimed he was fired from the ABC dramedy "Scoundrels" for refusing to kiss his costar and perform sex scenes. "I won't kiss any other woman because these lips are meant for one woman," said McDonough, who has been married to wife Ruvé since 2003. Star-studded smooching: Justin and Hailey Bieber brush off split rumors with passionate kiss pic McDonough, who was cast as Wolfgang West opposite Virginia Madsen and Patrick Flueger, was reportedly fired three days into production on "Scoundrels." He was later replaced by "JAG" alum David James Elliott. "I'd always had in my contracts that I wouldn't kiss another woman onscreen," McDonough said on "Nothing Left Unsaid." "My wife didn't have any problem with it. It was me, really, who had a problem with it. ... When I couldn't do it, and they couldn't understand it, Hollywood just completely turned on me. They wouldn't let me be part of the show anymore." From 2010 to 2011, McDonough had a low profile in film and TV, largely appearing in voiceover roles and minor performances in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Captain America: The First Avenger," according to the actor's IMDb page. In early 2012, McDonough made a showbiz comeback with a recurring role on the neo-Western series "Justified." "For two years, I couldn't get a job, and I lost everything you could possibly imagine," McDonough said. "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. And once you don't have that identity, you're kind of lost in a tailspin." 'Are you two an item?' Pamela Anderson, Liam Neeson dodge dating rumors on 'Today' show Neal McDonough reveals the role that made him break his no-kissing rule Although McDonough struggled professionally and personally after the firing, including a bout with alcoholism, "The Last Rodeo" star said he doesn't regret taking a moral stance in his career. He credited his spouse Ruvé and his renewed faith with helping him overcome the ordeal. "When I stopped drinking, everything just kind of changed. Literally, the clouds parted," McDonough said. "I was like, 'Oh, I don't need this crutch. Oh, people are calling me. Oh, I am successful. Oh, I do like myself again. OK, I am God's child, and I have a job to do. Stop wallowing in self-pity. Dust yourself off and go hit it hard." He added: "At 59 years old, I'm more busy than I've ever been in my whole because I have this clarity, I have a goal and I have a vision. I have one boss, and it's God, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to make my boss happy." McDonough has also found a healthy middle ground for navigating intimate scenes onscreen. The actor, who plays retired rodeo star Joe Wainwright in "The Last Rodeo," said he convinced his wife — who is not an actress — to play his love interest in the film. "She was so great in the movie, and to kiss my wife, my real-life wife, in a movie that I wrote and produced and gave glory to (God) in," McDonough said. "I can't imagine anything really better than that in my life when it comes to my career because it's finally one of those things where I made it, and I did it our way."
Express Tribune
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Yellowstone star Neal McDonough recalls career fallout and why Hollywood 'turned on him'
Actor Neal McDonough recently opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing that he was effectively blacklisted from Hollywood for refusing to kiss anyone other than his wife onscreen. In a preview of the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast, shared, McDonough described how this personal boundary caused significant professional backlash. 'I'd always had in my contracts I wouldn't kiss another woman onscreen,' McDonough explained, adding that while his wife, Ruvé McDonough, supported the choice, industry decision-makers did not. 'When I couldn't do it, and they couldn't understand it, Hollywood just completely turned on me.' According to the Yellowstone and Suits actor, the fallout led to a two-year stretch without work. 'I lost everything you could possibly imagine—not just houses and material things, but your swagger, your cool, your identity,' he said. The absence of acting roles pushed him into what he described as a "tailspin," even leading to struggles with alcohol before regaining his footing with his family's support. McDonough has previously spoken about this issue, notably telling Closer Weekly in 2019 that he was fired from the ABC series Scoundrels in 2010 for refusing to film intimate scenes. 'Everybody thought I was this religious zealot,' he said at the time. 'I put God and family first, and me second.' His comeback began when Band of Brothers producer Graham Yost cast him in Justified. More recently, McDonough starred in The Last Rodeo, released in May 2025, where he worked around his onscreen intimacy rule by casting his real-life wife as his character's spouse. The full interview, covering his career struggles and reflections on typecasting, is set to air on Nothing Left Unsaid this week.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Little House on the Prairie' Star Reveals if She'll Return for the Netflix Remake
Fans of the original Little House on the Prairie will no doubt remember Alison Arngrim. Arngrim, 63, played resident mean girl Nellie Oleson on the series from 1974 to 1982. Though her character was often regarded as bratty and manipulative, she certainly left her mark on the beloved show. 'I've had people just go off about how much they hated me and how they wanted to punch me in the face,' Arngrim told Closer Weekly in an interview published earlier this week. Arngrim's Nellie and Melissa Gilbert's Laura Ingalls hated each other on screen, but they're still very much a part of each other's lives to this day. 'We're always talking and texting. She's in New York, but she's come on the podcast. She's just a riot. She's married to Timothy Busfield and those two are perfect together. It hasn't changed when we talk. I mean, we still have weird inside jokes, crack up and make fun of people. It's like it has not changed at all,' Arngrim gushed. As for returning to the prairie, the longtime actress has some thoughts. 'It is not a reboot. It will not be exactly like our show in the '70s. And it shouldn't be. That would be terrible! I think it is going to be very much like the books,' Arngrim explained of the upcoming Netflix adaptation. 'Very historical. If this was a Star Wars thing, I'd call it a prequel. It's going to go all the way back to when Laura was very young. I think that could be really good.' 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 On making a cameo, she said, 'Of course! I've always said, 'I'm old enough to be Mrs. Oleson now, so call me.' The show has to obviously become its own thing, get its own footing with its own people. They have to find people who are good and will have the same kind of incredible chemistry together that we had.' 'Little House on the Prairie' Star Reveals if She'll Return for the Netflix Remake first appeared on Parade on May 24, 2025
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Danica McKellar Talks to Closer — and Calls the Story Her ‘Most Faithful Message' to Date
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways At 50, Danica McKellar is entering a new chapter, one filled with purpose, perspective and profound gratitude. The beloved Wonder Years star recently sat down with Closer Weekly to reflect on life's twists and triumphs, sharing what she calls her 'most faithful message' to date. 'The way we experience our lives is exactly because of what we choose to focus on,' she shares. 'We all get dealt a hand. Some parts are good, some are challenging. But the story we tell ourselves about that hand, that's what defines our life.' It's a truth she's learned over time, through both joy and pain. Danica shared that, for much of her life, she lived in a state of constant worry. 'I used to be a really stressed-out kid,' she admits. 'I thought if I didn't work really hard all the time, I'd fail.' But over the years, Danica's mindset shifted, thanks in part to a spiritual awakening that began in college when she was dating someone in recovery and started attending Al-Anon. 'That's when I heard things like 'Let go and let God' for the first time,' she recalls. 'It opened something in me. I started to realize I didn't have to control everything.' Danica's strength lies in what she's let go of, especially the expectations of Hollywood. After The Wonder Years, she walked away from acting to pursue a degree in mathematics at UCLA, a move that surprised many. 'I needed to know who I was without all the glamor and superficiality,' she explains. Pursuing a math degree at UCLA gave her that chance, and she describes it as 'empowering' and 'grounding.' But when she finished school and began thinking about returning to acting, the fear crept in. 'I worried I made a mistake. I felt like I was behind and had to catch up. What if I couldn't go back?' She began taking roles in indie films, unsure if her career would regain momentum, until she landed a role on The West Wing, which she appeared on for two seasons. 'That show was a turning point. It reminded me that I still had something to offer in the industry,' she says. GettyImages-2206910728 Still, even with her successes, the doubts lingered. 'You second-guess yourself,' she admits. But now, with 12 math books and millions of copies in print, Danica realizes the move was exactly what she needed, she recalls, 'Looking back, I know everything unfolded the way it needed to. I had to step away from Hollywood to come back on my own terms and that made all the difference.' As she looks ahead to the next decade, Danica's vision is simple: more movies, more books and more time with her family. 'Turning 50 is a blessing,' she shares. 'It's made me more committed to my health, my work and my peace.' More recently, a deeper relationship with her faith helped ease the anxiety she once felt every day. 'Three years ago, I came into my faith fully. I used to have a lot of biases about religion, but I've realized it's not about rules, it's about relationship. That changed everything.' That message she shares daily with her 14-year-old son, Draco. She and her ex-husband, Mike Verta, coparent with care and mutual respect,'We really work as a team. And that means putting ego aside and focusing on what's best for him,' she says. Now starring in and producing films for Great American Family Channel and authoring math books for kids, Danica has transitioned from teen stardom to educator and inspiring mother. Her latest book, I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love (available for preorder), marks her 12th math title, teaching little ones to count while reminding them they are loved unconditionally. 'It's about loving your child through every emotion,' she says. 'Happy, sad, angry, it doesn't matter. I love you no matter what.' Danica stays true to herself, "I can't think of another article that was so faithful to my message,' the Wonder Years alum tells Closer of her interview, 'Faith, health, family, coparenting, all the projects I wanted to promote, everything."
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘The Wonder Years' star Danica McKellar opens up about escaping Hollywood's ‘superficiality'
Danica McKellar found stardom as the girl next door, Winnie Cooper, on 'The Wonder Years' as a teenager, but by the time the show was over, the actress knew she needed a break from Hollywood. 'When I finished 'The Wonder Years,' I went to UCLA to get a degree in mathematics,' the 50-year-old told Closer Weekly. She continued, 'I stopped acting for four years. I just needed to find out who else I was. For me, the way I could find out was just to do something else and really exercise my brain and let go of all the glamour and superficiality of Hollywood. That was really empowering to me.' After college, McKellar returned to her acting roots on shows like 'Love Boat: The Next Wave,' 'Even Stevens,' and former 'The Wonder Years' co-star Fred Savage's late '90s show 'Working.' But she said when she returned to the industry, she felt like she was trying to 'catch up.' 'I was doing all these independent films that weren't very good,' she admitted. 'Then I started getting some traction. I did 'The West Wing' for a season.' 5 Danica McKellar found stardom on 'The Wonder Years' as a teenager, but by the time the show was over, the actress knew she needed a break from Hollywood. Getty Images McKellar told Closer that even though she knew she 'had to' take a break from acting during college, 'I was still worried about it. What if I can't go back to acting? What if I don't pass the math test?' Along with 'The West Wing,' McKellar also did episodes of 'NCIS,' 'NYPD Blue,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' and 'The Big Bang Theory' before she began to find her stride as a Christmas movie princess. Last fall, McKellar told Fox News Digital that she was excited about her latest holiday movie with Great American Family, 'A Cinderella Christmas Ball,' because it's the first time she's gotten a writing credit on a movie. 5 McKellar starred as Winnie Cooper on 'The Wonder Years.' 5 'I stopped acting for four years. I just needed to find out who else I was. For me, the way I could find out was just to do something else and really exercise my brain and let go of all the glamour and superficiality of Hollywood,' McKellar said. 'This is a wonderful experience for me. It's been amazing because I got to write the script with someone else, but it's the first time my name is on the script for one of these movies, and it's really gratifying,' she said. 'Plus, I get to waltz in it! I love ballroom dance, as I think everybody knows who follows me on social media.' McKellar has been starring in Christmas movies since 2012, when she played the lead in 'Love at the Christmas Table,' and has acted in many since, including 'Crown for Christmas,' 'My Christmas Dream,' 'Coming Home for Christmas,' and 'Christmas at Dollywood.' In her opinion, the popularity of Christmas movies continues to rise because 'people need comfort' and a way to 'escape from this crazy world,' which holiday flicks provide. 5 'When I finished 'The Wonder Years,' I went to UCLA to get a degree in mathematics,' the 50-year-old told Closer Weekly. Getty Images 'More than an escape, it provides a reminder of what human nature can be,' she told Fox News Digital. 'We need that. We need that reminder. We need, yes, the feeling of comfort, but also ideas for how to move forward in a wholesome, earnest kind of way.' In addition to her work, McKellar is passionate about her faith. She said she finally got perspective on her life three years ago when she 'came into' her faith. 5 Since coming back to Hollywood, McKellar is now known as the 'Christmas movie princess.' ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection 'It just hit me like all at once,' she told Closer. 'I had a lot of biases against Christianity for most of my life because of looking at the wars – the Spanish Inquisition.' She said she previously thought of Christianity as some sort of 'evil force that was controlling people,' adding that it's 'really interesting and strange for me to suddenly be talking about Jesus.' McKellar said she realized faith isn't about religion but rather 'having a relationship with God,' which she said for her is about 'letting go and trusting and not thinking that I have to be in charge of everything all the time.'
