Terrence Howard, known for his role in "Iron Man," recently shared a surprising decision he made regarding a film role. On Bill Maher’s podcast, Howard revealed that he turned down a chance to portray the legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic. The reason? The role would have required him to kiss another man, which he found unacceptable.
Howard explained that he was initially excited about the project, directed by Lee Daniels, especially after he had previously considered playing Smokey Robinson. However, as he learned more about Gaye’s life, he realized that exploring the singer’s sexuality would be a significant part of the role. During a conversation at Quincy Jones’ house, Howard asked Jones about rumors regarding Gaye’s sexuality, to which Jones confirmed, saying, “Yes.”
The filmmakers wanted Howard to engage in intimate scenes, including kissing a man. He expressed that he could not bring himself to do that, stating, “I wouldn’t have been able to do that.” When Maher asked if he really couldn’t kiss a guy on screen, Howard replied firmly, “No. Because I don’t fake it.” He went on to say that such a scene would have a profound effect on him, jokingly adding that he would rather “cut my lips off” than kiss a man.
Howard emphasized that not wanting to kiss a man does not make him homophobic. He stated, “I can’t play that character 100 percent. I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.” This revelation comes amid other news about Howard, as he has been involved in a legal dispute with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). He claims they owe him over $120 million for his work on the series "Empire," alleging he was paid significantly less than his white counterparts.
Howard’s comments have sparked discussions about the challenges actors face when portraying characters with complex sexual identities. His decision highlights the personal boundaries some actors set for themselves, even in the pursuit of artistic expression.