Terrence Howard Sparks Outrage After Explosive Refusal to

The actor says he passed on the role after hearing from Quincy Jones that Gaye was gay, claiming he couldn’t portray something he doesn’t “understand.”

Terrence Howard is once again at the center of controversy — this time for turning down the chance to play music legend Marvin Gaye due to the singer’s rumored sexuality. The Empire actor’s comments, made during a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, have sparked backlash for what many are calling an outdated and offensive mindset.

Howard, 55, revealed he once had the opportunity to portray not just one but two Motown legends — Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye — in biopics. But while he admits passing on the Smokey Robinson role was the “biggest mistake” of his career, his reason for rejecting the Marvin Gaye project is what has left fans stunned.

Marvin Gaye biopic rejected over rumored sexuality

“I was over at Quincy Jones’ house,” Howard told Maher, recalling a private conversation with the legendary music producer. “I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’ And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’”

That revelation, whether true or not, was an immediate dealbreaker for Howard.

“They would’ve wanted to do that,” he said, referring to a possible same-sex kiss in the film. “And I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

When Maher asked if that meant Howard simply couldn’t kiss a man on screen, the actor didn’t hesitate. “No. Because I don’t fake it,” Howard responded bluntly. “That would f*** me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”

The remarks — crude and unapologetic — have ignited fierce criticism online, with many calling them both tone-deaf and needlessly inflammatory. Others have accused Howard of reinforcing harmful stereotypes and missing an opportunity to challenge himself artistically.

Howard, however, attempted to defend his stance. “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man,” he insisted. Instead, he framed it as a matter of artistic integrity and personal authenticity.

“I can’t play that character 100 percent,” he explained. “I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”

The Terrence Howard controversy continues to divide audiences

Maher, in contrast, appeared more sympathetic during the podcast. He agreed that Marvin Gaye’s story was “much more interesting” than Robinson’s and added, “You would’ve been perfect as Marvin Gaye, and that is a story that needs to be told.”

But while Maher praised the potential of the biopic, Howard ultimately walked away — not because of a scheduling conflict or creative differences, but because of what he perceived to be a misalignment with his personal comfort zone.

Gaye’s life, marked by brilliance, heartbreak, addiction, and a tragic end at the hands of his father in 1984, is a complex and deeply human story. The “Let’s Get It On” singer was married twice, to Anna Gordy and Janis Hunter, and never publicly identified as gay. Still, rumors and speculation have long surrounded him, despite his denial in the biography Divided Soul, in which he stated, “Sexually, men don’t interest me.”

According to some sources, Gaye even added the “e” to the end of his last name in part to quell speculation about his sexuality. Nonetheless, the rumors were reignited in 2018 when Quincy Jones — the same person Howard claims to have spoken with — gave a bombshell interview suggesting that Gaye, comedian Richard Pryor, and actor Marlon Brando were all involved with one another at some point.

Public backlash and missed opportunity in Hollywood

Whether or not those claims are grounded in fact, they’ve taken on a life of their own in pop culture discourse. And for Howard, they were enough to stop him from accepting what many might consider a once-in-a-lifetime role.

The fallout has been swift. Fans and critics alike have taken to social media to express disappointment in Howard’s remarks, labeling them “ignorant,” “disrespectful,” and “a disgrace to Gaye’s legacy.” Some LGBTQ+ advocates have pointed out that playing a gay character does not require personal experience, just empathy and skill — two things they feel Howard failed to demonstrate in this case.

Others, however, have defended his right to choose roles that align with his values, even if those values are controversial.

Regardless of public opinion, Howard stands by his decision. “I just couldn’t go there,” he reiterated.

As of now, no official word has come from Lee Daniels, the filmmaker reportedly attached to the Marvin Gaye biopic project at the time. Reps for both Daniels and Howard declined to comment when contacted by The Hollywood Reporter.

In an industry that often celebrates transformation and vulnerability, Howard’s blunt rejection of a role based on discomfort with a character’s rumored sexuality raises questions — not just about his personal beliefs, but about the responsibilities actors take on when telling other people’s stories.

For some, it’s a missed opportunity. For others, it’s an unfortunate revelation of prejudice wrapped in artistic reasoning. Either way, Terrence Howard’s refusal to play Marvin Gaye has become a flashpoint — not just in Hollywood, but in the broader conversation about representation, masculinity, and the boundaries of performance.

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