Terrence Howard shared that he declined a role in a Marvin Gaye biopic after concerns about aspects of the singer’s personal life emerged during pre-production talks. Speaking with Bill Maher on Maher’s Club Random podcast, Howard explained why he ultimately walked away from the opportunity.
Howard said he had already committed to discussions with director Lee Daniels about portraying Gaye when Smokey Robinson offered him the chance to play Robinson in a separate project. Wanting to honor his word to Daniels, Howard turned Robinson down, a decision he described as the “biggest mistake” of his career.
Howard recalled meeting Robinson for dinner after receiving the offer. “It broke [Robinson’s] heart,” he said of declining the role. Still committed to the Gaye project, Howard later encountered new reservations during a conversation with Quincy Jones.
“I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,’ and I’m like, ‘Was he gay?’” Howard said. “And Quincy’s like, ‘Yes.’”
Learning about this aspect of Gaye’s life led Howard to withdraw. He stated that he would not have been comfortable with the portrayal the role might have required. “They would’ve wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” Howard said.
When Maher asked if Howard meant he could not perform a romantic scene with another man on camera, Howard responded, “No. Because I don’t fake it.” He added, “That would f— me. I would cut my lips off. If I kissed some man, I would cut my lips off.”
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Howard continued, “It does not make me homophobic to not want to kiss a man,” emphasizing that he could not fully commit to the character. “That’s fine, do what you love to do, but don’t do it at me, don’t aim it at me,” he said. “I can’t play that character 100%. I can’t surrender myself to a place I don’t understand.”
Howard also described his method approach to acting, saying that if he cannot fully understand a character’s experiences, he feels unable to portray them authentically.
There have been several efforts over the years to develop a Marvin Gaye biopic. In 2021, Deadline reported that Warner Bros. secured a project directed by Allen Hughes, with Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and Andrew Lazar producing. That production is separate from the Lee Daniels version that Howard was once attached to.
Gaye, whose influence on soul and popular music remains significant, died in 1984 after being shot by his father. His life story, marked by professional achievements and personal complexity, continues to draw interest from filmmakers.
