Nationwide — Actor Terrence Howard says that he turned down the chance to play Marvin Gaye in a biopic as a result of he didn’t really feel comfy portraying a homosexual character if it meant having to kiss a person on display screen.
In an interview on Invoice Maher’s Membership Random podcast, Howard revealed that he gave up the Marvin Gaye biopic when he realized the singer’s rumored sexuality. Whereas at Quincy Jones’ home, Howard requested Jones if Gaye was homosexual. Jones confirmed the rumors, and that grew to become the dealbreaker.
“No. As a result of I don’t faux it,” Howard mentioned, in accordance with The Hollywood Reporter. “That might f— me. I’d lower my lips off. If I kissed some man, I’d lower my lips off.”
Howard emphasised it wasn’t about being homophobic however about not with the ability to decide to the function in the way in which he felt it deserved. “I can’t play that character one hundred pc,” he mentioned. “I can’t give up myself to a spot I don’t perceive.”
This wasn’t the primary main biopic function Howard turned down. Earlier in his profession, Howard had additionally turned down taking part in Smokey Robinson supplied by Robinson himself. Howard known as that call “the most important mistake” of his profession however mentioned he declined as a result of he was already in talks with Lee Daniels to painting Gaye, which he finally handed on.
Marvin Gaye, who was killed by his father in 1984, by no means publicly recognized as homosexual. He was married twice and as soon as mentioned, “Sexually, males don’t curiosity me.” Nonetheless, rumors adopted him for years. In 2018, Quincy Jones claimed Gaye, Richard Pryor, and Marlon Brando had been romantically concerned.
