Terrence Howard Rejects Marvin Gaye Role: "I'd Cut My Lips Off"

Imagine being offered the role of a lifetime—to portray the legendary Marvin Gaye, the soulful voice behind classics like “What’s Going On” and “Sexual Healing.” For most actors, this would be a dream come true. But for Terrence Howard, it was a hard pass. The reason? He wasn’t comfortable with the possibility of kissing a man on screen.  

In a candid conversation on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, Howard revealed that he declined the role in a planned biopic directed by Lee Daniels after learning that the film might explore aspects of Gaye’s sexuality. Howard recounted a conversation with music producer Quincy Jones, who confirmed rumors about Gaye’s relationships with men. “They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” Howard explained. “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.”    

Howard emphasized that his decision wasn’t rooted in homophobia but in his personal boundaries as an actor. “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man,” he stated. “I can’t play that character 100%. I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”    

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This isn’t the first time Howard has turned down a high-profile role. He also passed on a Smokey Robinson biopic, a decision he now regrets. “The biggest mistake I made in my career,” he admitted, explaining that he had already committed to the Marvin Gaye project at the time.    

Howard’s career has been marked by notable roles in films like Hustle & Flow, for which he received an Academy Award nomination, and as Lucious Lyon in the TV series Empire. Despite announcing his retirement from acting in 2022, he has continued to take on new projects.   

As for the Marvin Gaye biopic, it’s one of several attempts over the years to bring the singer’s life story to the big screen. Previous efforts have involved actors like Jesse L. Martin and Lenny Kravitz, but none have come to fruition.  

While Howard’s decision has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of actors in portraying diverse identities, it also highlights the personal choices artists make in aligning their roles with their comfort levels.

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