Drawing The Line
Audiences see romance as part of the job, but actors sometimes see something else entirely. A single decision to avoid a kiss can ripple through the production, leaving behind an unusual story about boundaries.
Kirk Cameron
When most actors think about their wedding vows, they probably don't consider how those promises might affect their Hollywood career. But for Kirk Cameron, the former Growing Pains star, his commitment to his wife, Chelsea Noble, became the defining factor in how he approached romantic scenes.
Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons
Kirk Cameron (Cont.)
During the filming of Fireproof, Cameron faced a dilemma when the script called for him to kiss his on-screen wife. His solution was creative and touching: he flew his real wife to the set, had her wear a wig matching his co-star's hair, and filmed it in silhouette.
Samuel Goldwyn Films, Fireproof (2008)
Will Smith
Long before our beloved Will Smith became a famous star, he was a young actor taking on challenging roles to prove his dramatic chops. In 1993's Six Degrees of Separation, Smith played a gay con artist opposite Anthony Michael Hall.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Will Smith (Cont.)
But when it came time to film a passionate same-gender kiss, the star couldn't go through with it. Smith's refusal forced director Fred Schepisi to use creative camera angles where he specifically shot only the backs of their heads during the critical scene.
MGM Studios, Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
Neal McDonough
What do you do when some of the biggest roles require you to compromise your deepest beliefs? For McDonough, the answer was to stick to your principles, even if it affects your work. The actor has two non-negotiable rules when selecting roles.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Neal McDonough (Cont.)
One is not using the Lord's name in vain, and the second is absolutely no kissing scenes with anyone other than his wife. McDonough's unwavering stance cost him dearly when he was fired from Scoundrels just three days into filming for refusing to perform romantic scenes.
Heroes & Villains, Wikimedia Commons
Lindsay Lohan
The set of Scary Movie 5 was supposed to feature Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen in multiple kissing shots. Still, the former Disney star had serious reservations about locking lips with the controversial actor. Lohan's concerns weren't about Sheen personally, but rather his well-documented “wild partying past”.
Dimension Films, Scary Movie 5(2013)
Lindsay Lohan (Cont.)
Production had to scramble when Lohan refused to proceed, ultimately bringing in a body double for these scenes and rewriting parts of the script to minimize romantic contact. Ironically, Sheen wasn't bothered by the situation and took it in stride without any public complaints.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Denzel Washington
In 1993's The Pelican Brief, Julia Roberts found herself in an unusual position of being rejected by one of Hollywood's most respected leading men. Washington made the surprising decision to refuse kissing scenes with Roberts, citing concerns about how audiences might receive such moments.
Office of Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Wikimedia Commons
Denzel Washington (Cont.)
The decision wasn't personal against Roberts. His choice was plain strategic, based on his experience with test audiences who had previously booed during a kissing sequence with Mimi Rogers. All romantic scenes were ultimately cut from The Pelican Brief.
Warner Bros, The Pelican Brief (1993)
Brad Pitt
Even A-list megastars aren't immune to relationship drama impacting their work. Brad Pitt, who had performed countless similar scenes throughout his career, shocked director David Fincher when he initially refused to kiss Cate Blanchett during the shooting of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Paramount Pictures, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Brad Pitt (Cont.)
The reason? His intense relationship with Angelina Jolie had made him uncomfortable with on-screen intimacy. Blanchett herself joked about the situation, telling The Telegraph that “to see how in love with Angelina he is, it was really quite disgusting”.
Joel Kowsky, Wikimedia Commons
Luke Grimes
Luke Grimes abruptly said goodbye to HBO's hit series True Blood after just one season, rather than film kissing scenes with co-star Nelsan Ellis. He was uncomfortable with his character, James Kent, being involved in a gay romantic storyline with Lafayette.
HBO, True Blood – Season 6 (2008-2014)
Luke Grimes (Cont.)
While his publicist claimed "scheduling conflicts," the real reason soon became clear. Ellis didn't mince words about his former co-star's departure, telling Vulture: “You make a big statement, a big statement, when you go, ‘I don't want to play this part because it's gay’”.
Gordon Correll, Wikimedia Commons
Thandiwe Newton
Health concerns trumped Newton, who found herself paired with a very sick Gerard Butler in RocknRolla. Newton planned to avoid kissing Butler because he was "very unwell indeed" with a nasty cold during filming. Director Ritchie had to improvise around the missing romantic moment completely.
Warner Bros. Pictures, RocknRolla (2008)
Thandiwe Newton (Cont.)
He made use of quick cuts, close-ups, and alternative choreography to work around Butler’s illness. Despite the awkward situation, Butler complimented Newton’s professionalism, as he was pretty impressed by her approach to the challenging situation. Guy Ritchie's inventive direction was also praised.
Peabody Awards, Wikimedia Commons
Kimberly McCullough
At just 14 years old, Kimberly McCullough faced a situation that would make any adult uncomfortable. While working on General Hospital, the young actress was told she'd need to do a "long kiss" with someone she expected to be another teenager.
ABC, General Hospital (1963 – )
Kimberly McCullough (Cont.)
Instead, the girl arrived on set to discover her scene partner was a 22-year-old man who had been making inappropriate jokes with other actors about their upcoming scene. McCullough stood her ground and refused to perform. It was then changed to just a kiss on the cheek.
Jewel
Rob Lowe has charmed countless fans throughout his career, but singer-turned-actress Jewel was decidedly unimpressed when they worked together on The Lyon's Den. The Grammy-nominated artist objected so strongly to kissing Lowe that she initially wanted the entire romantic segment cut from the script before filming even began.
NBC, The Lyon’s Den (2003-2004)
Jewel (Cont.)
When pressed about her refusal, Jewel delivered a savage burn, stating bluntly that she “didn't know where Lowe's mouth had been”. The comment was so memorable that it became a running joke on Comedy Central's Roast of Rob Lowe years later.
Yahoo! Blog, Wikimedia Commons
Kevin Hart
This comedian turned down roles in major films like Tropic Thunder specifically because they would have required him to perform same gender kissing sequences. However, his decision was not meant to harm the LGBTQ community but stemmed from his uncertainties.
Adam Bielawski, Wikimedia Commons
Kevin Hart (Cont.)
Being refreshingly honest about his limitations, Hart explained, “I can't [play a gay character] because I don't think I'm really going to dive into that role 100 percent, because of the insecurities about myself trying to play that part”.
Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons
Candace Cameron Bure
Candace Bure is one of the most well-known examples of an actor who sets clear limits on romance in her projects. She’s openly stated that she avoids on-screen kissing scenes, especially in her Hallmark and faith-based movies, because of her Christian beliefs and commitment to her husband.
Candace Cameron Bure (Cont.)
Bure mentioned that her partner, Valeri Bure, doesn't like watching her be close to other men on screen. Her brother, actor Kirk Cameron, also follows the same path of not kissing anyone other than his wife on camera. His example influenced her boundaries.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
