Actor Neal McDonough recently revealed that he and his wife Ruvé Robertson are launching a new production company that will produce content with Catholic values. McDonough made the announcement as he prepared to host the 2022 Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir.
The Christian Post reports that Neal and Ruvé, who have been married for 20 years, have often been at odds with the demands of the film industry. For example, Neal is well known for refusing to take on roles that require him to kiss other actors. The famed actor, who has made a name for himself playing villains on TV and in cinema, has stated that “these lips are meant for one woman.”
His strong convictions as a man of the Catholic faith have sometimes led to McDonough losing roles, as was the case with ABC’s Scoundrels in 2010. In an interview with Fox, McDonough explained that there are many factors to his decision not to take on characters who have carnal relations on the silver screen, but he also will not play characters who disparage the name of God:
“I won’t mention the Lord’s name in vain, and then I won’t kiss another woman,” the 53-year-old told Fox News. “Sex scenes aren’t in it for me. And I think, gosh, there’s enough sex scenes out there and me being in my fifties I’m not sure if anyone wants to see me doing that stuff anyway, but it’s a comfort level.”
Neal and Ruvé, who are the proud parents of five children, say they want their new production company to “have a faith backdrop.” They say that not all of their releases will be overtly religious, but every one of them will be “faith friendly.” They also hope that their films will draw audiences of all faiths and even those with none.
Neal expressed the pair's excitement over taking the reins of the project and releasing content that they are proud of professionally and spiritually:
"Now I have that opportunity because Ruvé and I are doing it ourselves, and are so blessed to have companies that support us and back us and want to make more films and TV shows, or reality shows or any kind of show that gives glory to Him,” McDonough declared. "Not just to make a movie, but to do a movie that actually gives Him glory — that's our goal,” he added. “And that's what we're after, and we're very fortunate to be able to do it."
The McDonough Company has yet to be formally established, but the plans are in the works. We expect to hear more news of this budding Catholic production company in 2023. Until then, you can watch Neal McDonough host Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir, featuring Tony Award-winning actress Megan Hilty, below.
