Actor Jim Caviezel Refused to Participate in on-Screen Nudity ‘Out Of Devotion, Love and Respect to My Wife’
By Movieguide® Staff
Actor Jim Caviezel, known for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST and INFIDEL, said he would not compromise purity in his marriage for a role.
In 2001, the actor co-starred with model, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez in the thriller ANGEL EYES.
Even then, Lopez was used to showing her body on screen. However, when director Luis Mandoki approached Caviezel about his “love” scene with Lopez, the actor insisted on Lopez remaining dressed while he was in the room in honor of his wife.
“That’s out of devotion, love and respect to my wife,” he told Empire in a 2001 interview. “In my faith, I’m taught that abstinence is important.”
Caviezel married Kerri Browitt in 1996.
Initially, Caviezel turned down the role but was later convinced after a call from friend and fellow actor Dennis Quaid.
“After a while Luis Mandoki approached me about it again, and I turned it down again, but then Dennis Quaid called me and said, ‘You may want to rethink that, Luis is a really smart director,’ and I did,” Caviezel told IGN in 2001.
As a young actor, Caviezel still had not done a love scene, while Lopez had already had experience.
“I was really nervous,” he said. “Jennifer picked up on that, she looked at me and goes, ‘This is your first love scene, isn’t it?’ I said, ‘Why, am I that bad?’ She said, “No, but it seems I get every guy’s first love scene.’”
Although Caviezel felt that the scene was necessary to do his character justice, he remained firm on his request that Lopez does not undress in front of him.
“Look, put a top on her,” Caviezel told Mandoki, according to Empire. “I’m gonna keep my shorts on, she’s gonna keep hers on. Get the camera and shoot around it.”
“It would have been a lot easier being an actor in the 1930s, ’40s or ’50s,” Caviezel told mrt.com. “When I saw ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ I never saw Jimmy Stewart sleeping with Donna Reed. There’s just no need for it. I don’t believe in it. You’re never going to see my butt in a film unless I’m in the Holocaust, walking around.”
While Caviezel does not shy away from adult topics, such as in his faith-based movie INFIDEL, he upholds his Christian values in his marriage.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of ANGEL EYES reads:
Jennifer Lopez stars in ANGEL EYES as Chicago Police Officer Sharon Pogue. Sharon nearly becomes the victim of a fatal ambush, but a mysterious, friendly man with a nice smile saves her life. Sharon thanks the man in person afterwards, but is immediately attracted to him. Although the man, who calls himself Catch, won’t tell her much about himself, the two begin to fall in love. Sharon has her own personal demons, however. She has had a tumultuous relationship with her brother and especially her father. Her investigation into Catch’s past brings up issues that may destroy the tenuous bonds that has developed between them.
Rated R for lots of foul language, some violence and a scene of premarital sexual sensuality, ANGEL EYES nevertheless builds to a redemptive, purifying emotional climax with positive family values. Although the pain and isolation caused by her family relationships are not totally healed, Sharon takes a positive step of reconciliation with her family. Also, her parents renew their vows during a brief, Christian ceremony, and Catch finally faces up to the pain he’s been trying to escape, a pain which also has something to do with his own family.
Read More: Christian Actor Fired for Reportedly Refusing to Be in Sex Scenes
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
