“If I Kissed Some Man, I Would Cut My Lips Off” : Terrence Howard Explains Why He Turned Down Marvin Gaye Biopic

April 29, 2025: Terrence Howard recently opened up about one of the biggest mistakes of his career, revealing that he almost starred in the biopic of legendary R&B singer Marvin Gaye but backed out at the last minute after learning that Gaye was gay.

In a candid appearance on Bill Maher’s ‘Club Random’ podcast, Howard recounted how he turned down a starring role in a Smokey Robinson biopic in favor of a chance to portray Marvin Gaye. According to Howard, this decision came after he had been in discussions with director Lee Daniels about playing the iconic singer in a separate Marvin Gaye biographical movie.

Despite support from music industry legends, including Smokey Robinson, Howard ultimately passed on the role after a conversation with Quincy Jones. While visiting Jones at his home, Howard inquired about rumors surrounding Gaye’s sexuality. As Variety reports, Howard asked Jones, “I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay. Was he gay?” To which Jones responded, “Yes.”

After this revelation, Howard says he felt he could not play the role of the gay icon. As quoted by Variety, Howard explained, “They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

The actor further elaborated on his stance, saying that he “could not” portray a gay man on screen. When Maher asked if Howard would ever kiss another man on screen, he responded emphatically, “No. Because I don’t fake it. That would f*** me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”

While Bill Maher expressed understanding of Howard’s perspective, the talk show host also noted that he wouldn’t take it as far as Howard, if asked to play a gay character in a movie. Howard, however, explained that for him, it wasn’t just about the physical act—it was about the emotional and mental commitment required to understand and fully embody the character.

“I cannot play a character that I don’t understand,” said Howard, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in his roles.

While the actor’s comments stirred conversation, the revelation sheds light on the complexities of casting and representation in Hollywood, especially when it comes to portraying sensitive aspects of a person’s identity.