Actor Terrence Howard rejected the opportunity to play Marvin Gaye because he could not live with having to do a kiss of the same sex.

During the Podcast “Club Random” Sunday episode by Bill Maher, the “Empire” actor revealed that he was considering playing Motown’s legend in a Lee Daniels project before saying that he learned that the singer of “Sexual Healing” was attracted to men.

While Gaye left and married many women during his life, his sexuality was also subject to speculation over the years.

It was during a dinner with producer Quincy Jones that Howard learned more about the private life of the singer “Let’s get it on”.

Terrance Howard attends the 54th annual Awards of Naacp Image Awards in Pasadena, California, on February 25, 2023. He recently revealed that he died playing Marvin Gaye after he said Gaye was attracted to men.
Terrance Howard attends the 54th annual Awards of Naacp Image Awards in Pasadena, California, on February 25, 2023. He recently revealed that he died playing Marvin Gaye after he said Gaye was attracted to men.

Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images

“I was in the house of Quincy Jones and I asked Quincy:” I’m listening to rumors that Marvin was gay “and I’m like,” was Gay? “, He recalled.” And Quincy says: ‘yes’ “.

Interpreting a gay man was a decisive factor for the actor of “hustle and flow”, who told the host of the podcast that “he could not” take the role after the revelation of Jones.

“They would have wanted to do that, and could not do it,” Howard said about being physical with another man.

“You mean you couldn’t kiss a boy on the screen on a movie?” Maher clarified.

“No. Because I don’t false,” the actor replied.

While Maher told Howard that he felt in a similar way, the actor was a step further, saying: “That would fuck me. I would cut my lips. If I kissed a man, he would cut my lips.”

Marvin Gaye acts at the Pavillon in Paris on October 11, 1976. Although he left publicly in many women during his life, his sexuality was also subject to speculation.
Marvin Gaye acts at the Pavillon in Paris on October 11, 1976. Although he left publicly in many women during his life, his sexuality was also subject to speculation.

Christian Rose / Getty Images

But the star said there was nothing intolerant in his position, telling Maher: “It doesn’t make me homophobic not wanting to kiss a man.”

Rather, Howard said it was about being able to understand where his character came from.

“I can’t play that character 100%,” he explained. “I can’t give myself to a place I don’t understand.”

The actor “Iron Man” said something similar during an appearance in the “pbd podcast” earlier this month, telling the host Patrick Bet-David: “I lost business because I don’t lean that way. I don’t commit. I don’t play gay papers. I don’t kiss a man. I don’t make that shit because the man card means everything.”