Thursday, March 28, AD 2024 10:56am

Neal McDonough: Bravo!

An actor, a faithful Catholic, willing to lose a role in a TV series because he won’t do sex scenes?  Surely not in this day and age?  Guess again!

Neal McDonough is a marvelous actor who elevates every role he plays, whether it’s in Band of Brothers or Desperate Housewives. So when he was suddenly replaced with David James Elliott 3 days into the filming on ABC’s new series Scoundrels earlier this week, there had to be a story behind the story. The move was officially explained as a casting change. But, in fact, McDonough was sacked because of his refusal to do some heated love scenes with babelicious star (and Botox pitchwoman) Virginia Madsen. The reason? He’s a family man and a Catholic, and he’s always made it clear that he won’t do sex scenes. And ABC knew that. Because he also didn’t get into action with Nicolette Sheridan on the network’s Desperate Housewives when he played her psycho husband during Season 5. And he also didn’t do love scenes with his on-air girlfriend in his previous series, NBC’s Boomtown, or that network’s Medical Investigation.

Go here to Deadline Hollywood to read the rest of the story.   Bravo to Mr. McDonough!  In an industry which routinely makes a mockery of the teachings of Christ as to sexual morality he is a man willing to lose money to stand up for that teaching.

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Chris M
Chris M
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 7:09am

He was superb in Band of Brothers. I’m glad to see he’s a good fella in addition to a good acta’

Chris Burgwald
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 8:25am

I’ve been a fan of his for a while, but I didn’t realize that he was a faithful Catholic… awesome!

Mark Emma
Mark Emma
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 9:27am

I tried to find some way to email or contact Neal McDonough for his ethical stance. I couldn’t find a way, so please if possible forward to him that I’m very impressed. It’s good to know there are still some real men in Hollywood.

Kind regards,

Mark Emma
Parsippany, NJ

daledog
daledog
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 9:45am

Good for him.
This culture is so overly saturated with sexuality that I cannot understand how anyone does not get bored with it. Religious convictions aside, don’t people ever get tired of trying to outdo each other in depravity? These so-called sexual rebels are really just marching in lock step with the culture. They all seem convince that they are breaking new ground. A month ago I was on the UIC (U of Illinois, Chicago) campus and some cute girls were at a table promoting the Vagina Monologues. Nobody paid them a visit. They looked pathetic and they shamed themselves.

Marie
Marie
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 10:09am

Mr. McDonough has a facebook page where you can leave a message

Kyle Miller
Kyle Miller
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 11:45am

@daledog, well said!

@Marie, I found him on Facebook and am now a fan. Thanks.

Tito Edwards
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 12:34pm

Bravo Mr. McDonough!

Tito Edwards
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 1:16pm

I fixed the link.

Good story and even more interesting comments on their posting over at Deadline Hollywood.

Pinky
Pinky
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 3:29pm

I remember the character he played on Boomtown, an adulterer and black-out drunk. I guess it’s good that McDonough doesn’t want to portray anything sexual, but that doesn’t seem like a big difference to me. It depends on how “hot” the scenes were going to be.

Randy Browning
Randy Browning
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 4:33pm

The reason this is so shocking is because everyone was pretty sure there was no one of character left in Hollyweird. Then Neil looses his job to his values.

What is amazing to me is how the Hollyweird minion are suggesting there is no difference between playing a murderer, and taking your clothes off, making physical sexual (at least sensual) contact with an actress (who is not your wife) are not different issues. One is pretend, while the other is far from it.

Hats off Neal, stand your ground, do not back down, and never apologize for being the last one standing with a moral core.

Tito Edwards
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 5:51pm

Pinky,

In the Catechism it specifically states that even acted out sex is prohibited.

g
g
Thursday, April 1, AD 2010 9:10pm

get tiger to do his role

Jenny
Jenny
Friday, April 2, AD 2010 12:08am

Awesome!!! Finally someone to stand for faith, values and morals, Hollywood could take this to heart. Cheers for Neal McDonough.

Pinky
Pinky
Friday, April 2, AD 2010 2:29pm

Tito, are you referring to paragraph 2354 in the Catechism? I don’t think that every depiction crosses the line into pornography. A lot depends on how “hot” the scene is, I’d think.

Christina
Christina
Friday, April 2, AD 2010 10:08pm

@ Mark Emma
I was thrilled to hear about Neal McDonough!!! I am also looking for a way to send email to applaud his actions. It also reminds me of another soap star who did the same thing…. Roark Critchlow- he played Mike on Days. If you find a way to catact Neal, let me know! I think he will get more opportunities to work- I believe God honors you for standing up for what is right!!!!

Tess
Tess
Saturday, April 3, AD 2010 10:49pm

How awesome is that! Someone who actually has morals.

MaryAnn McAward
MaryAnn McAward
Tuesday, April 6, AD 2010 1:26pm

I also wish to applaud Neal McDonough for standing up for his beliefs and remaining faithful to his Catholic faith. May God continue to bless him and his family.

Mary
Wednesday, April 7, AD 2010 11:09pm

Glad to see an actor with moral character to say no to the filth and trash on our movies and TV screens. I commend him for his decision and wish more actors and actresses had the courage to do what he did. God Bless him. May he be an example for hollywood.

higgins1990
higgins1990
Wednesday, August 18, AD 2010 11:34pm

Yes, indeed. Bravo, Mr. McDonough! I’ll be looking forward to your new series.

Waldney de Melo
Waldney de Melo
Thursday, August 19, AD 2010 1:17pm

Bom, sou brasileiro e achei muito impressionante a posição deste católico. Sou católico também e parece que o mundo não tem mais jeito. Mas mesmo sendo católico, eu duvido sobre estas coisas, mas aí que vem o poder de Deus e age para acreditarmos sempre, sempre. Felicidades para vc Mr. McDonough! Jesus o abençoe e Maria sempre o proteja!!!

Tito Edwards
Thursday, August 19, AD 2010 6:51pm

Here’s Google’s translation:

Well, I am Brazilian and found it very impressive that the Catholic position. I am a Catholic and seems also that the world is hopeless. But even being a Catholic, I doubt about these things, but then that is the power of God to believe and act whenever, wherever. Cheers to you Mr. McDonough ! Jesus and Mary bless you always protect him!

/translation finished

Pretty close to Mrs. Cathy “Civilization Guru” McClarey’s translation.

nien
nien
Friday, September 24, AD 2010 6:54pm

i just want to say…..I love this guy! why can’t i find a fan site??

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