Terrence Howard recently shared why he turned down the opportunity to star in a biopic of legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye. During an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Howard explained that the decision was one of the biggest mistakes of his career.
The actor revealed that he initially turned down a role in a Smokey Robinson biopic, personally offered by the musician himself, because he was already in talks with director Lee Daniels about playing Gaye in a different film. Maher supported Howard’s choice, noting that Gaye’s life story was “much more interesting” and saying that Howard would have been a perfect fit for the role.
However, Howard ultimately passed on the Gaye project as well. He explained that the turning point came when he learned about Gaye’s sexuality from music legend Quincy Jones.
“I was over at Quincy Jones’ house, and I asked him, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay. Was he?’” Howard said. Jones confirmed the rumors, which led Howard to decide he could not take on the role.
“They would’ve wanted to portray that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” Howard explained. He emphasized that playing a gay character would have been a personal struggle for him.
When Maher asked if Howard was uncomfortable with the idea of kissing a man on screen, Howard responded, “No. Because I don’t fake it.” He added that such a scene would be so unsettling that he would “cut my lips off” if he had to kiss a man.
While Maher admitted he wouldn’t go as far as Howard, he expressed understanding of the actor’s discomfort. Howard clarified that his decision was not based on homophobia, but rather on his inability to fully immerse himself in a role he didn’t understand.
“I can’t play that character 100 percent,” Howard explained. “I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”
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