The controversial reason this Hollywood star turned down one of the roles of a lifetime: “If I kissed a man, I’d cut off my lips”

Most people will know actor Terrence Howard for his performances in the hit series Empire and Cameron Thayer’s 2004 movie, Crash. The 56-year-old is also a musician and self-confessed music lover. So for him, it was a dream to be offered the chance to portray two of his idols - Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, two of the movers and shakers at Motown - the label that spawned ‘The Sound of Young America’ in the 1960s.

Director Lee Daniels had Howard in mind for the lead role in his upcoming biopic looking at the complex and troubled life of Marvin Gaye. There have been several attempts at making a biopic on the soul singer, who was shot dead by his own father in April 1984 - one day before his 45th birthday.

Heard it through the grapevine

But as he revealed in a very open and frank discussion on Bill Maher’s podcast, Club Random. While Maher enthused that he would be “perfect” for the role, Howard said he turned the offer down after learning a little more about Gaye’s alleged sexuality.

The actor found himself being pulled in two directions with simultaneous offers to portray Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, and out of loyalty, had to make a decision.

“The biggest mistake I made in my career was Smokey Robinson brought me over to have dinner with him, and he wanted me to play his life. And I had just had conversations with Lee Daniels about playing Marvin Gaye. And I was being faithful to Lee Daniels because I’d given my word, as a man, I’m gonna do this with you. So when Smokey [asked me], I have to tell at the table and it broke his heart,“ Howard began.

The project was shelved and while Maher attempted to convince Howard that the Marvin Gaye story is far more interesting that Smokey’s, there was another reason why it was a non-starter for the Crash actor.

Howard said that he turned down the lead role in the Marvin Gaye biopic after hearing rumors that the legendary singer was secretly gay - he heard it first-hand, from acclaimed producer Quincy Jones.

Quincy Jones on Marvin Gaye’s sexuality

“I will let you know what happened with that. I was over at Quincy Jones’s house, and I’m not dropping names, I’m just giving credibility to what I’m saying. And I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’ And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’”

Gaye was married twice - first to Anna Gordy, the elder sister of Motown founder Berry, then briefly to Janis Hunter. He fathered three children: Marvin III (by adoption), Nona; and Frankie.

That left him with a personal dilemma. In the past, he has made it clear that he seeks characters that teach him something about himself (“It’s like, how do I relate to this guy and how can he help me in my life,” he explained in a 2007 interview) - but he feels he would not be able to fully embody a gay character and would not be comfortable kissing another man on screen.

“I could not... They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that‚” Howard admitted, stressed that he “never fakes it”.

He continued: “That would f*** me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off. Do what you love to do, that’s fine but don’t aim it at me. I can’t play that character 100%. I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”

Howard’s comments have ignited debates across social media, with many criticizing his perspective as problematic and outdated. The controversy has also reignited discussions about representation and inclusivity in Hollywood. The actor however, made his position clear and insists he is not homophobic - and has worked extensively with Lee Daniels, who is openly gay.

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