Neal McDonough fired for refusing sex scenes

Neal McDonough (44), who previously played Edie’s husband in Desperate Housewives,  has reportedly been fired from his latest television show for refusing to film sex scenes.

The actor had signed up to star in new ABC series “Scoundrels”. Deadline Hollywood claims that Neal was replaced by David James Ellicot after just three days when he said that he would not film intimate scenes because of his Catholic faith.

ABC is allegedly angry that Neal McDonough was unaware of the scenes as he had been sent the script weeks prior to filming. Meanwhile, one source claimed that he even refused to kiss his co-star Virginia Madsen.

“It wasn’t just heated love scenes. He would not do any kissing whatsoever, even though those scenes were clearly in the scripts he read before taking the role. He didn’t tell the producers that cast him on this show that he had any issues with this until shooting started. So unprofessional & such a shame because he is a great talent,” the insider explained.

Another source said: “It has cost him jobs, but the man is sticking to his principles.”

ABC cited cast changes for McDonough’s replacement and refused to reveal details of why he had left the show.

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Neal McDonough was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, the son of Catherine and Frank McDonough, motel owners who emigrated from Ireland, with his mother coming from County Tipperary and his father from County Galway.  He grew up in Barnstable, Massachusetts, graduated from Barnstable High School, and attended Syracuse University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1988. His roommate in college was Brett Pollock, current broadcaster for the Huntsville (Ala.) Stars of the Southern League. McDonough frequently appeared as “Captain Laser” inspiring young students to bring their studies to completion. From there McDonough trained for a short time at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

In 1991, he won the Best Actor Dramalogue for “Away Alone”. McDonough has made many television and film appearances since then, including Band of Brothers, Star Trek: First Contact, Minority Report and The Hitcher. McDonough played Dave Williams on the fifth season of Desperate Housewives.

Neal McDonough was all set to star in the upcoming ABC dramedy Scoundrels, but was fired after refusing to do sex scenes for the show. He credits his family and his Catholic faith for his decision.

McDonough is married to Ruvé Robertson, with whom he has a son, Morgan Patrick (born November 2005), and two daughters, Catherine Maggie (born May 14, 2007) and London Jane (born January 11, 2010).