Why This Legendary Actor and His Wife Choose Faith-Based Movies

Published: April 2, 2026

By Kayla DeKraker

Neal and Ruve McDonough are so thankful for the opportunity to create faith-based content.

At the Movieguide® Awards, the couple shared how much it means to use their skills for God’s Kingdom. The couple took home the Teddy® Award for their work on THE LAST RODEO, which won Best Movie for Families.

“To be here in front of you know, all the people have worked so hard to make films that give glory to God and to be acknowledged for it, the hard work that Ruve and I are putting in,” Neal said.

Ruve added, “We got invited maybe 10 years ago, I think, to Movieguide awards, and we were here and so inspired. We met [Movieguide® Founder Dr. Ted Baehr] for the first time, and something changed, and we said, ‘We’re going to start doing this now. We’re going to start making films that are value driven entertainment.’ And here we are now receiving our award with grins from ear to ear.”

She continued, “It’s so honorable, but just so right, so beautiful, so amazing. And thank you.”

Philippians 4:8 supports this when Paul says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

McDonough explained how making faith-based movies is “something we’ve always aspired to do” but “there have been roadblocks along the way.”

He added, “Guys like Ted Baehr, who kind of opened it up and opened up the discussions about films that do give glory to Him and are entertaining at the same time. So to do value driven content, like Ruve said, with Angel studios, we’re having the time of our lives, and we’re just beginning. And I can’t wait to see where this keeps going. It just feels right.

McDonough values family-friendly content more than fame or accolades.

The actor frequently shares how he lost acting roles for years after refusing to do a kissing scene.

In a recent video posted to Instagram, he shared, “Everyone needs to be crucified at some point in their life,” in reference to dying to your own selfish desires and following God’s will.

Actors like McDonough are a hopeful reminder that there are good actors in Hollywood who desire to share messages of hope rather than messages of the world.

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