Terrence Howard nearly starred as Marvin Gaye in the Prince of Motown’s biopic, but talks with Lee Daniels to take the role broke down after Howard learned the film would be exploring Gaye’s sexuality.
Howard hopped on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast on Sunday (April 27). He discussed his acting career’s biggest regrets, which included turning down portraying Smokey Robinson after the Motown legend sought him out personally because he was in negotiations to play Marvin Gaye.
The Hustle & Flow star realized he’d be stepping away from playing Marvin Gaye after a conversation with Quincy Jones about his life.
“I was over at Quincy Jones’ house and I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’ And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’ They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” Howard explained.
He continued to tell Maher: “Because I don’t fake it. That would f–k me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”
Howard maintained that his stance isn’t intended to be homophobic. “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man. I can’t play that character 100 percent,” he said. “I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.”
Prior to his passing in 1984, Marvin Gaye never confirmed anything regarding his sexuality. He had two marriages to Anna Gordy and Janis Hunter. Gaye also had three children: Frankie Gaye, Nona Gaye and Marvin Gaye III.
Watch the interview with Terrence Howard below.
