By Gavin Boyle
After being blacklisted by Hollywood for his conservative beliefs, James Woods found new life telling stories through song — something that he is immensely proud of.
“I don’t have a pity party for myself over the fact that I was blacklisted. Look, I would love to be acting again. I’d love to be an actor. I loved being an actor. And I loved the contribution I gave to people who love film, and I have a lot of fans who say ‘Man, we would love to see you back.’ But that’s not gonna happen,” Woods told Mike Rowe’s “The Way I Heard It” podcast. “But, I’m now making music, and I’m gonna keep making music. And whether it’s a masterpiece or junk, whatever it is, whatever you think of it, your opinion, this album; I just love it. It’s the proudest thing I’ve ever done artistically in my life.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7M7SyckDfE
Related: Neal McDonough Breaks His No-Kissing Rule? Here’s the Sweet Reason Why
Woods’ album, Tombstone Opera, brings listeners through a Western journey alongside Bob Wayne and Shooter Jennings.
“Tombstone Opera is a neo-noir western concept album written and produced by legendary Hollywood icon James Woods, composed and performed by Bob Wayne, and produced by multiple Grammy Award winner, Shooter Jennings. Recorded at historic Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, CA with the Highway Storm Orchestra, the result is an unusual but powerful musical journey into the Old West,” Woods explains on his website.
Woods is one of many Hollywood actors who have had to move on to different ventures after the industry shunned them for their conservative beliefs. Actor Neal McDonough experienced something similar. She was not cast in a role for years because he refused to kiss onscreen. When he finally did return to acting, he only played villains, because the villain does not need a love interest.
“I am very religious. I put God and family first, and me second. That’s what I live by. It was hard for a few years,” McDonough said.
McDonough, however, is now seeing a revival in his career, as faith-based content has taken off. He has starred in multiple shows and movies in recent years, where he is the hero of the story — and still does not have to kiss someone on screen.
“My wife helped me get through it, my belief in who I am and what I stand for, and now, here I am, 10, 15 years later because of that with films with Angel Studios and THE SHIFT that just came out and LAST RODEO, the next one that I wrote,” he said. “Also, HOMESTEAD, the series I finished producing with my wife.”
Maybe Woods will still get another opportunity to act again as the industry becomes friendlier towards those who hold conservative views. However, even if this does not happen, he has found new life and success in a different avenue where he can still express his creativity and partake in storytelling. Tombstone Opera is now available.
Read Next: How This Hollywood Actor’s Courage Impacted His Career
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1Share:
– Content: +3