Coverage dated April 28, 2025

'I would cut my lips off': Terrence Howard refused Marvin Gaye role over prospect of kissing a man

Headline from NBC Chicago

Oscar-nominated Terrence Howard said he refused to portray Marvin Gaye in a potential film because of the Motown singer's rumored homosexuality.

NBC Chicago's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

13 articles, oldest first.

NBC Chicago
'I would cut my lips off': Terrence Howard refused Marvin Gaye role over prospect of kissing a man (opens NBC Chicago)
Published Apr 28, 2025
NBC Chicago's feed description
Oscar-nominated Terrence Howard said he refused to portray Marvin Gaye in a potential film because of the Motown singer's rumored homosexuality.
Deadline
Terrence Howard Turned Down A Lee Daniels-Directed Marvin Gaye Biopic Because He “Could Not” Kiss A Man: “I Would Cut My Lips Off” (opens Deadline)
Published Apr 28, 2025
Deadline's feed description
Terrence Howard said he turned down a Lee Daniels-helmed biopic about Marvin Gaye because it would require him to explore his rumored homosexuality.
New York Post
Terrence Howard passed on Marvin Gaye biopic because he ‘would’ve had’ to kiss a man: ‘I would cut my lips off’ (opens New York Post)
Published Apr 28, 2025
New York Post's feed description
Terrence Howard shared the surprising Marvin Gaye biopic story during an appearance on Bill Maher's “Club Random” podcast on Sunday.
The Hollywood Reporter
Terrence Howard Turned Down Marvin Gaye Biopic Because He Didn’t Want to Kiss a Man: “I Would Cut My Lips Off” (opens The Hollywood Reporter)
Published Apr 28, 2025
The Hollywood Reporter's feed description
Terrence Howard said he turned down a Marvin Gaye biopic because he did 'not want to kiss a man,' adding, 'I would cut my lips off.'
Breitbart News
Actor Terrence Howard Declined Marvin Gaye Biopic to Avoid Kissing a Man: 'If I Kissed Some Man, I Would Cut My Lips Off' (opens Breitbart News)
Published Apr 28, 2025
Breitbart News's feed description
"Iron Man" star Terrence Howard revealed that he declined a biopic portraying soul singer icon Marvin Gaye because it would have required him to kiss a man.
The Guardian
‘If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off’: Terrence Howard explains why he declined Marvin Gaye biopic (opens The Guardian)
Published Apr 28, 2025
The Guardian's feed description
The American actor told Bill Maher’s podcast that he had asked Quincy Jones about the singer’s sexuality and felt he couldn’t ‘play that character 100%’
NBC News
Terrence Howard refused Marvin Gaye role over prospect of kissing a man, says 'I would cut my lips off' (opens NBC News)
Published Apr 28, 2025
NBC News's feed description
Actor Terrence Howard revealed that he refused to portray Marvin Gaye in a potential film because of the Motown singer's rumored homosexuality, saying he'd cut his lips off if he ever kissed a man. The former "Empire" star made the comment during a nearly two-hour appearance on Bill Maher's "Club Ra…
The Daily Caller
‘I Would Cut My Lips Off’: Terrence Howard Says He Turned Down Legendary Role Because He Would Have To Kiss Man (opens The Daily Caller)
Published Apr 28, 2025
The Daily Caller's feed description
Terrance Howard said he turned down the opportunity to star in the Marvin Gaye biopic because he refused to kiss a man.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.