Actors turn down roles for all kinds of reasons, from scheduling conflicts to creative differences and personal comfort levels. In some cases, performers have publicly explained why they chose not to portray LGBTQ+ characters. Here are eight actors who have either declined or stepped away from such roles, along with the reasons they shared.
Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard revealed in 2025 that he turned down the chance to play Marvin Gaye in a planned biopic after hearing claims about the singer’s sexuality. Howard said he did not feel he could convincingly portray a gay character and chose not to take the role, later calling it one of his biggest career regrets.
Luke Grimes
Luke Grimes exited the first season of True Blood, where his character James Kent was set to enter a same-sex relationship. Reports at the time linked his departure to discomfort with the direction of the character, though Grimes has not publicly confirmed that was the reason.
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg has acknowledged in interviews that there have been certain roles involving same-sex intimacy that he chose not to pursue because he did not feel comfortable taking them on. While he has never ruled out every LGBTQ+ role, he has been open about having personal boundaries as an actor.
Eddie Murphy
Throughout his career, Eddie Murphy has spoken about turning down projects that included romantic scenes with men because he did not think he was the right fit for those parts. His comments have resurfaced during broader discussions about casting LGBTQ+ roles.
Will Smith
Before filming Six Degrees of Separation, Will Smith admitted he was initially hesitant about taking on a role that included a same-sex kiss. Although he ultimately accepted the part, he has discussed the reservations he had early in the process.
Al Pacino
Al Pacino has said that he has occasionally declined projects featuring LGBTQ+ storylines when he felt they were not the right fit for him creatively. At the same time, he has portrayed LGBTQ+ characters in other productions, including Angels in America, making his choices dependent on the individual role rather than the subject matter.
Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart has spoken about passing on certain roles because he did not believe he could authentically portray the characters as written. Discussions around LGBTQ+ roles have been part of those conversations, with Hart emphasizing that he prefers roles that feel natural to him as a performer.
Darren Criss
Unlike the others on this list, Darren Criss did not turn down a specific role. After earning acclaim for several LGBTQ+ performances, he announced in 2018 that he would no longer accept queer roles because he felt those opportunities should increasingly go to LGBTQ+ actors.
Closing Thoughts
Casting LGBTQ+ characters has become an increasingly discussed topic in Hollywood. Some actors have declined these roles because of personal comfort, others because they felt they were not the right fit, and some because they believed the parts should go to LGBTQ+ performers. As the industry continues to evolve, conversations around representation and casting remain an important part of filmmaking.
Leave a Reply