20 Straight Black Actors Who Won’t Kiss Same-Sex Co-Stars On Screen

Navigating Hollywood involves making difficult choices about the types of roles an actor is willing to accept or decline based on personal boundaries. Many performers have specific stipulations in their contracts or personal codes of conduct regarding on-screen intimacy that they refuse to compromise. This is particularly true for several prominent Black actors who have publicly drawn a line when it comes to filming romantic scenes with same-sex co-stars. While some cite religious beliefs or personal comfort levels as their primary reasoning, others have expressed concern over how such roles might affect their public image or career trajectory.

Will Smith

The blockbuster star famously encountered this dilemma early in his career while filming the drama ‘Six Degrees of Separation’. Smith played a gay con artist in the film but refused to perform the scripted kissing scene with his male co-star Anthony Michael Hall. He sought advice from mentor Denzel Washington who famously told him not to kiss a man on screen. The director was forced to use a camera trick involving the back of Smith’s head to simulate the intimacy without actual contact. Smith later expressed regret over the decision and admitted it was an immature reaction driven by his fear of what his friends in Philadelphia would think.

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart has been very vocal about his refusal to play gay characters if the role requires intimate behavior that makes him uncomfortable. He famously turned down the role of Alpa Chino in the comedy ‘Tropic Thunder’ because the draft script included behaviors he felt were too flagrant. The comedian admitted in interviews that his own insecurities prevented him from diving into the role one hundred percent. Hart stated that he would not be able to do justice to the character because he would be too worried about what people were thinking during the scene.

Denzel Washington

This legendary actor has maintained a strict code regarding on-screen intimacy throughout his celebrated career. Washington reportedly advised Will Smith to avoid kissing a man on screen to protect his leading man image. He also famously refused to kiss Julia Roberts in ‘The Pelican Brief’ because he wanted to remain faithful to his core audience of Black women. His influence on other actors regarding this specific boundary has been significant and well-documented in Hollywood circles.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is known for taking on gritty and diverse roles but he drew a line during the filming of the Stephen King adaptation ‘Cell’. His character in the source novel is gay and the film retains this aspect of the character’s identity. However, reports from the production indicated that Jackson refused to film any scenes involving physical intimacy with men. The veteran actor was willing to play the character’s orientation but established clear boundaries regarding physical contact.

Eddie Murphy

Comedy legend Eddie Murphy has a long history of playing multiple characters but has expressed reluctance regarding serious gay roles involving intimacy. In a candid interview with Playboy magazine early in his career, Murphy discussed turning down a biopic of Little Richard because of the required gay scenes. He explicitly stated that he would not act in a movie where he had to kiss another man. Murphy emphasized that while he is an actor, there are certain acts he simply would not perform for a paycheck.

Ice Cube

Rapper and actor Ice Cube has built a career on a tough and masculine persona that he protects fiercely. He once stated in an interview that he would never play a role that required him to kiss a man or compromise his image. Cube has turned down various projects throughout his career that did not align with his personal brand or beliefs. His transition from music to family comedies has not softened his stance on performing same-sex intimacy on camera.

Chris Tucker

Chris Tucker famously stepped away from the ‘Friday’ franchise and other lucrative roles due to his deepening religious faith. The actor has been outspoken about refusing to wear a dress or portray characters that he feels emasculate Black men. His strict adherence to his Christian values limits the types of roles he accepts and strictly precludes same-sex romance. Tucker prioritizes his spiritual integrity over Hollywood demands and has rejected millions of dollars to maintain these standards.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard once revealed that he was in talks to play soul legend Marvin Gaye in a biopic but walked away due to the script’s content. The actor stated that he would not be able to simulate a gay relationship or kiss another man on screen. Howard used hyperbole to express his discomfort by saying he would rather harm himself than perform such a scene. He admitted that his inability to surrender himself to that aspect of the character made him unsuitable for the role.

50 Cent

Hip-hop mogul 50 Cent has been a vocal critic of storylines involving male intimacy in shows like ‘Empire’. He has stated in interviews that he avoids gay people in his personal life because their thoughts make him uncomfortable. This stance translates to his acting career where he refuses to engage in gay storylines or intimacy. He maintains a hyper-masculine image in his television projects like ‘Power’ and avoids roles that would contradict that brand.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson has frequently spoken about his status as an alpha male and how it dictates his career choices. While he played a pastor in the show ‘Star’ who interacted with LGBTQ characters, he expressed significant discomfort with the themes. Gibson admitted that he feared backlash but also wanted to protect his image as a straight man. He has made it clear that while he can act in diverse dramas, physical intimacy with men is a boundary he will not cross.

Tank

R&B singer and actor Tank played a character involved in a gay storyline on the show ‘Born Again Virgin’. However, he clarified in interviews that he established strict boundaries with the producers before accepting the role. Tank stated that he told the showrunners he would not kiss another man or engage in sexual scenes. He was willing to portray the character’s emotional arc but refused to perform the physical acts associated with the relationship.

Katt Williams

Comedian Katt Williams has frequently alleged that there is a Hollywood agenda to emasculate Black male actors. He has publicly refused to wear a dress or play roles that he believes are designed to humiliate him. Williams views these roles as a compromise of integrity and has criticized other comedians for accepting them. His refusal to participate in what he views as the feminization of Black men includes a strict rejection of same-sex intimacy.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle famously walked away from a massive contract with Comedy Central partially due to his discomfort with how Black men were being portrayed. He has spoken out against the trope of Black comedians wearing dresses and the pressure to perform emasculating acts. Chappelle values artistic freedom but draws a hard line at content he feels compromises his manhood or dignity. His stand-up routines often reinforce his unwillingness to bend to industry pressure regarding gender and sexuality.

Mike Epps

Comedian Mike Epps appeared in an episode of ‘The Sopranos’ where he played a gay character. Epps later claimed that he was tricked into the role and didn’t fully understand the character’s orientation until he arrived on set. He reportedly told the production team that he would not touch the other actor or engage in any physical intimacy. Epps ensured the scene was filmed without him having to compromise his personal boundaries regarding physical contact.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg expressed visible discomfort regarding a same-sex kissing scene in the animated film ‘Lightyear’. The rapper stated that he was scared to go to the movies because he did not know how to explain such scenes to his grandchildren. His brand is built on a specific type of West Coast masculinity that generally avoids LGBTQ themes. This reaction suggests he would likely refuse any role that required him to participate in similar scenes himself.

LL Cool J

LL Cool J has maintained a sex symbol image for decades and has been protective of that persona. Reports from the set of the sitcom ‘In the House’ suggest he had tension with RuPaul during a guest appearance. The actor allegedly was uncomfortable with the drag icon’s presence and refused to engage in certain interactions. This history indicates a strong reluctance to participate in scenes that blur his established boundaries of masculinity.

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes once walked out of an interview when asked about homophobia in the hip-hop community. He stated that what he represents culturally does not condone homosexuality whatsoever. This staunch refusal to even discuss the topic highlights his strict avoidance of gay themes in his work. As an actor who often plays tough guys, he has never accepted a role requiring same-sex romance.

Rick Ross

Rapper Rick Ross has dabbled in acting but maintains that hip-hop culture has not fully embraced LGBTQ themes. He has commented that it remains a taboo subject for male rappers to be associated with gay lifestyles. Ross protects his boss persona and avoids any projects that would question his standing in the street culture. His adherence to these traditional codes precludes him from accepting roles with same-sex intimacy.

Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan has faced controversy for his stand-up material regarding his son and gay orientation. The comedian played a flamboyant character in ‘The Longest Yard’ for laughs but has expressed serious reservations in his personal life. His aggressive comedic stance suggests a refusal to perform serious same-sex intimacy on screen. Morgan typically plays characters that reinforce his specific brand of loud and chaotic masculinity.

Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey has built a massive empire based on traditional relationship advice and conservative family values. He has frequently made jokes about not understanding gay culture and reinforces strict gender roles in his books and shows. Harvey’s brand relies heavily on his image as a traditional patriarch. It is highly unlikely he would ever accept a role that required him to kiss another man or deviate from his established persona.

Which of these actors’ stances surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.