US EditionTerrence Howard Passed on Marvin Gaye Biopic Because He Didn't Want to Kiss a Man
- Terrence Howard, the actor known for Empire, declined the offer in 2025 to play Marvin Gaye in a planned biopic due to required on-screen kissing with a man.
- Howard received the role offer from director Lee Daniels but refused it after learning rumors that Gaye was gay and confirming this with Quincy Jones.
- Howard emphasized his inability to portray the character honestly, stating he would not fake a same-sex kiss and quoted, "If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off."
- He also passed on playing Smokey Robinson in a separate biopic, calling that decision the "biggest mistake" of his career and explaining loyalty to Daniels influenced him.
- Howard’s refusal highlights his stance on artistic authenticity over certain role demands, and the biopic of Gaye did not materialize following his withdrawal.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Terrence Howard Shares Homophobic Reason He Turned Down Marvin Gaye Biopic Role—And Yikes
Actor Terrence Howard may have an Oscar nomination for his no holds barred approach to roles, but it turns out there is a limit to what he'll do onscreen, and kissing a man is beyond that limit. Howard told Bill Maher that he turned down the role of a lifetime, playing legendary musician Marvin Gaye in a biopic by director Lee Daniels, once he learned of Gaye's sexuality. Gaye dated and was married to women in his life, but his sexuality was t…
Terrence Howard Rejected Marvin Gaye Role Because He Refuses To Kiss A Man
Terrence Howard reveals he declined the lead role in Lee Daniels' Marvin Gaye biopic after learning about rumors of Gaye’s sexuality, saying he couldn't kiss a man on screen. The actor calls it the "biggest mistake" of his career.
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Terrence Howard Slammed On X After Revealing He Turned Down Role In Marvin Gaye Biopic Becuase He Didn’t Want To Kiss A Man
Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty / Terrence Howard Terrence Howard isn’t open to playing gay roles in films. Howard is an accomplished actor, but he will never live down fumbling the Marvel Studios bag, and he might have fumbled another one due to what many people on social media are describing as homophobia. Terrence Howard revealed he almost took a role in the forthcoming biopic about the late legendary singer Marvin Gaye while speaking wi…
Terrence Howard Turned Down Marvin Gaye Biopic Over The Possibility Of Having To Kiss A Man
Actor Terrence Howard recently said he turned down the chance to star in a Marvin Gaye biopic because it might have required him to kiss another man. The 56-year-old “Empire” star discussed his thoughts during an interview on “Club Random with Bill Maher.” Howard said he couldn’t sign on to play singer Smokey Robinson in ...
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