Veteran actor Neal McDonough best known for his roles in Yellowstone, Suits, and Band of Brothers, recently revealed how a personal moral choice nearly cost him his career in Hollywood.

Speaking on the Nothing Left Unsaid podcast, the 59-year-old actor shared that he has long refused to kiss anyone but his wife on screen, a boundary he made clear in every contract. While his wife, Ruvé Robertson, had no issue with the rule, McDonough said the choice was entirely his. "I didn’t want to put her or our kids through that,” he explained.

However, that conviction came at a steep price. McDonough recalled being abruptly fired from a television show after refusing to film a sex scene. He didn’t name the project during the podcast, but he has previously said he was let go from ABC’s Scoundrels in 2010 for that very reason.

“When I stood my ground, Hollywood shut me out,” he said. “I went two years without a single job offer. I lost everything—homes, income, even my sense of identity. Acting was who I was.”

The fallout wasn’t just professional. McDonough admitted to falling into a dark period, turning to drinking and struggling to find purpose. “I never drank on the job—I love the craft too much—but afterward, I just didn’t feel right. Nothing clicked.”

A turning point came when producer Graham Yost, who worked with McDonough on Band of Brothers, cast him in the FX drama Justified. That role helped reignite his career, leading to major appearances in shows like Arrow, American Horror Story, and Tulsa King.

Now, McDonough is experiencing a full-circle moment with his latest film The Last Rodeo, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. To stay true to his principles, he cast his wife Ruvé as his onscreen love interest—making their real-life kiss the only one he’s ever shared on camera.

Reflecting on the journey, McDonough has no regrets. “I knew I did the right thing—for my marriage, my faith, and myself,” he said.