The Real Reason These Celebs Refused To Do Nude Scenes
Half a century ago, taking off your clothes for a role probably meant you were in a genre piece that had to something to do with a mummy's tomb, werewolves, or Roger Corman. Today, all one has to do is turn on HBO. Over the years, the prevalence of on-screen nudity has increased as the stigma against it has decreased. After all, if an Academy Award winner like Kate Winslet can bare all for the camera, it isn't as though getting naked is going to tarnish an actor's reputation.
While Winslet has said that her reason for doing nudity — aside from it being right for the character — is that she hopes her self-professed average appearance will be "something that makes women feel empowered," other actors are less inclined to be so free. Natalie Portman told MTV in 2007 that while she has no regrets about appearing nude for a film, what bothers her is when those scenes wind up on porn sites. "It's meant to be a dramatic scene and part of a story," she said. "That really makes me angry." Still others refuse to do it altogether. Here's why some stars have flat out said no to nudity.
Anna Kendrick's body parts are the private property of Anna Kendrick
In just over a decade as a major movie star, Anna Kendrick has done just about everything: teen romances ("Twilight"), Oscar-nominated dramas ("Up in the Air"), musicals ("Pitch Perfect"), animation ("Trolls"), hip comedy ("Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"), and broad, raunchy comedy ("Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates"). But one thing she's never done — and will likely never do — is take her clothes off on camera. The reason? Nudity is not her cup of tea. "I will not do that," she told The Telegraph in 2010. "I am not criticizing people who do that, but I plan to keep doing what I am doing and hope it keeps going good." Kendrick further discussed the matter in her 2017 memoir "Scrappy Little Nobody." "I don't mind a sex scene. A character can be having a sex scene, but my physical parts always feel like mine. 'Cause... they are." So then when Kendrick's bare rear end made an appearance in "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates"? That wasn't hers — she used a "butt double."
Mandy Moore doesn't want to know strangers have seen her naked
In 2007, Mandy Moore was coming off a string of acting roles that would prove to be the beginning of her Hollywood career as a leading lady. Between 2006 and 2007 alone, Moore had 10 credits to her name, but according to an interview with USA Today at the time, that number could have been higher, if only she'd agreed to appear nude.
"I've turned down several roles where the producers or directors or writers wouldn't budge on that point," she said. But for Moore, the thought of knowing people on the street have seen her fully undressed was enough of a deterrent. "It would be completely uncomfortable to walk down the street and know that the person passing by had seen me without my clothes on."
That no nudity clause also extends to men's magazines. While Moore doesn't consider herself a prude, taking off her clothing is just a thing she's never wanted to do. She told USA Today, "I'm not saying that it's wrong for someone else to do them, but I think there's a way to be feminine and sexy without posing half-naked."
Sarah Jessica Parker took her agent's advice
Sarah Jessica Parker has a career spanning four decades, but the actress has famously refused to appear nude for any one of her projects. In 2018, Parker spoke with People about her early experience as an actress, saying, "There was so much pressure for me to take my clothes off." Recalling one of her early film experiences, Parker said she was lucky enough to have her agent in her corner when the subject of nudity came up on set.
"My agent [CAA's Kevin Huvane] sent a car and a plane ticket [to the film set] and he said, 'If anybody makes you do anything that you're not comfortable doing, you don't,'" she told People, adding "Given what's happening now and the stories told from that particular period, I know how lucky I am that there was someone — in this case, a man — who stepped in."
Parker asserted that her opinion on appearing nude only extends as far as herself. "It's not a value thing, or like I'm judging anyone else. ... I think it's great when women feel comfortable doing it, and that's their choice."
Jamie Dornan isn't into that
When it came time to start filming the finale to the "Fifty Shades" trilogy, "Fifty Shades Freed," there was a lot of talk regarding whether or not audiences would see all of actor Jamie Dornan in the film. Co-star Dakota Johnson joked in 2016 about starting "The Dornan D" campaign on an episode of "Watch What Happens Live," and there were rumors that Dornan had been offered $1.5 million to bare it all for the final film.
He didn't ... not exactly. He wore what's called a modesty pouch instead, and he told Elle that those rumors were just that. "It was $30 million — to show one testicle." he joked. "No, that whole thing with offering more money to go nude? That didn't happen." For Dornan, the movie wouldn't have been improved by it. "I just thought, we don't need to be flashing the rest if it's not essential to the story. We're not making porn as much as people think we are."
Rebel Wilson might be persuaded for a more serious role
Rebel Wilson had several credits to her name by the time she appeared in 2011's "Bridesmaids," but it was her performance as obnoxious roommate Brynn that really put her on the map. In 2016, Wilson told Marie Claire that acting came about as a way for her to deal with her "crippling" shyness as a child, admitting, "I was so unusually shy, bordering on a social disorder."
While she's definitely grown out of her awkward shy phase, nudity is one thing Wilson still isn't especially open about, at least not when it comes to the kind of films she's known for. While she was filming 2016's "The Brothers Grimsby," Wilson said she had been approached for a nude scene but refused. "They wanted full-frontal nudity. We write in the contract, specifically, 'No nudity,'" she told Marie Claire. She went on to say, however, that she might consider it for a more serious film. "You want to know that the people [behind the camera] have a certain sensibility and decency. And a lot of times in comedy they're not those people."
Ashley Benson has a hard line
Between 2010 and 2017, Ashley Benson played popular girl Hanna Marin on the teen soap drama "Pretty Little Liars." In 2012, Benson shed her good girl image to play Brit in Harmony Korine's "Spring Breakers." The film featured a group of college girls who spent most of their time wearing little more than bikinis, but for Benson, that's as far as it was ever going to go.
In a 2014 interview with Cosmopolitan, Benson said she isn't afraid to walk away when she's pushed to do something she doesn't want to. "I make it clear that I have a line," she said. "I'll just walk off-set: 'If that's the way it's going to be, then you can do it without me.'" For her, nudity in film should never be done gratuitously. "Girls look so much better in lingerie or a t-shirt and leave the rest up to the imagination." She then added, regarding extras who were willing to strip down for nothing, "Why would you want to go topless for a film that you may not even be paid for?"
Samuel L. Jackson is insecure about size
Samuel L. Jackson has been a working actor in Hollywood since 1972. He has more than 200 credits to his name. And he has never once appeared fully nude on camera. When the actor appeared on The Howard Stern Show in 2016, he was asked about going full monty. "I've only done, I think, two nude scenes," he told Stern, while also admitting that he had never done a full-frontal scene.
Turns out, the reason for Jackson's modesty has to do with a certain lack of self-confidence. "Uh, I don't know if it's ... yeah," he told Stern. "I don't know if it's formidable enough to, you know." The actor's unwillingness to do nudity might also have something to do with the negative audience reaction toward others who have gone through with it. As he put it, "That's what you don't want."
Allison Williams knew what it was like growing up in the public eye
Over the course of its six-season run on HBO, "Girls" saw a lot of nudity from its stars. But Allison Williams, who played Marnie Michaels, refused to do it, even before the series began shooting. In a 2017 interview with ABC's "Popcorn with Peter Travers" Williams said there was only so much she was willing to give to her character. "I just wanted to give Marnie almost all of myself," she said. "But there were things that felt like they should be mine and felt like they should always be mine."
Williams' refusal to sign the network's nudity waiver was met with some surprise. She said that her agents just figured she would "get swept up in the vibe of the show" and change her mind eventually, but she never did. "Maybe part of it, too, was growing up with a parent in the public eye and being aware of the fact that... I didn't want to give my future hypothetical children another avenue by which to be made fun of," she added. "People showing up to school with old Google images of their naked mom. It just didn't feel like me."
Megan Fox believes it's inappropriate for her kids to see
Megan Fox has never been shy when it comes to showing her body on camera. For her breakout role in 2007's "Transformers," she was generally seen wearing as little clothing as possible without actually appearing nude, and that's the way Fox prefers it. She told the "Mirror" in 2016 that she didn't want her sons to ever have to see her without clothes on, arguing, "There are just certain things boys should never see their mothers do."
Fox's no nudity clause is so firm, in fact, that she's admitted to walking away from roles because of it. "There are some good projects I've read that are with talented people, talented directors, but the things the women are required to do in the movie are things I can't have my sons ever know or see," she said. Fox added that she'd turned down a project on HBO on account of its graphic sex scenes, of which she said, "you would see in a pornographic film."
Ricky Gervais is sure the world isn't interested
When Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner were doing press for their 2009 film "The Invention of Lying," an MTV News reporter made the mistake of comparing Gervais' shirtless body to that of one of Garner's previous co-stars, Matthew McConaughey. Gervais took the comment in stride (by which we mean he turned it into a feud larger than Tupac and Biggie), but it did raise the question as to whether or not he'd be willing to take it all off for a future role.
"There's no chance of me doing it," he said. When Garner chimed in to say that she wouldn't do nudity either, he continued, "Okay, well then it's equal. It's joint equal at 'No way.' Absolutely no way." When pushed, however, Gervais did quietly hint at the prospect of faking a future nude scene, so long as he "had a stunt one."
Sarah Michelle Gellar says it's never been her thing
During the late '90s and early '00s, Sarah Michelle Gellar was the epitome of onscreen female badassery, playing the title role in Joss Whedon's beloved "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." In 1999's "Cruel Intentions," Gellar did a 180 and took on the role of Kathryn Merteuil, an over-sexed manipulator who played men like it was her actual job. While her character lived and breathed seduction, she did it all without ever actually removing her clothing.
According to the New York Post (via Gawker), Gellar won't even go topless, regardless of how big the paycheck would be: "We hear that Gellar... has been offered roles for 'major money' but turned them down because the part would require her doffing her top." But Gellar's reason isn't quite as dramatic as the New York Post might make it seem. Turns out, she's just not that into it. Her rep told the publication at the time, "Sarah doesn't do nudity, period. It has never been her thing."
Christina Hendricks isn't comfortable being naked
Christina Hendricks worked as a model for years during her 20s before she gained notoriety as the strong-willed Joan Holloway on AMC's "Mad Men" in 2007. Hendricks' character was known for her form-fitting attire, and so Hendricks herself became something of a modern bombshell. The actress told BlackBook in 2012, "She was very openly saying, I have sex, and I don't care if you judge me. I'm not going to apologize for who I am. Those qualities resonated with people, and have given me confidence."
For as much sex as Hendricks oozes onscreen, however, you won't be seeing her completely nude anytime soon, and the reason why might surprise you. While she's comfortable in the privacy of her own bedroom, Hendricks isn't so much that way outside of it. She told BlackBook, "I'm a very comfortable naked person. Not in front of other people, but at home and in front of my husband, I feel good not wearing clothes."
Jessica Alba doesn't want her grandparents to see her chest
These days, Jessica Alba might be better known for her natural baby and beauty company The Honest Co. than for her acting career, which started when she was 12 years old with 1994's "Camp Nowhere." Since the '90s, Alba has been in countless films and has usually played the attractive love interest. For a number of those, her wardrobe has been ... limited (see "Honey," "Sin City," or "Into the Blue"), but Alba has never gone fully nude for a role, and it's because of family.
"I don't want my grandparents to see my boobs," she told Glamour in 2014. "That's it. It would be weird at Christmas." The actress also touched on the idea of doing nudity for a particular role or storyline that could be bettered by it, while also taking a lighthearted jab at her own filmography. "I mean, really, if you look at the movies I have done, getting naked would never 'elevate' the picture,'" she said.
Mila Kunis says you get one or the other
Mila Kunis got her first major acting gig when she was only 14, on "That '70s Show." She's had steady roles ever since, including one that landed her a Golden Globe nomination for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in 2011. For "Black Swan," Kunis said her appearance — she dropped 20 pounds to "look like a ballerina" — brought about a good amount of media scrutiny. When she did "Friends with Benefits" the following year, Kunis told Allure her body once again became a subject of interest.
For the film, Kunis had to do a love scene with co-star Justin Timberlake. Timberlake was a friend at the time, so she said the scene wound up being more "funny and mechanical" than sexy. But the issue of nudity still happened to come up. "I showed side boob. I don't need to show ass," Kunis told Allure. "You get one or the other. You don't need both."
Kristen Bell has no interest in getting naked
Kristen Bell is probably best known for her lead role in "Veronica Mars," a mystery drama series. But she also established herself as an actor in various Hollywood movies as well as other high-profile television series. One of these projects was "House of Lies," where her character is shown in her underwear and engaging in sex scenes. While Bell has never shied away from being intimate on camera, she does draw a clear line.
Speaking to Women's Health Mag, Bell revealed that, when she found out that she would be involved in some compromising scenes, she wanted to ensure she looked good on camera. Confirming that she is a huge fan of butts, she said, "My favorite things on the planet. I want two round cupcakes, always. I kicked my buns and abs sets into high gear when I knew I'd have to be in my bra and underwear on 'House of Lies.'"
In the same interview, Bell also revealed that she is not interested in going on camera sans underwear. "But I don't show my crack," she exclaimed. "All the Mr. Skins of the world are like, 'Ooh, Kristen gets naked!' I'm like, 'Dream on!"
Julia Roberts wants to stay in control
Julia Roberts is among the most well-known faces on the planet as well as an incredibly successful actor who has won numerous awards. From her roles in "Pretty Woman" and "Steel Magnolias," to her appearances in the "Ocean's" franchise, Roberts remains a major force in Hollywood. Yet, she has consistently refused to go nude, and she has occasionally spoken about the reasons behind this decision.
Talking to OK! magazine (via Digital Spy), Roberts explained that she feels like removing her clothes on-screen would mean she loses control of her performance and would no longer feel like she is acting. "I wouldn't do nudity in a film," she said. "To act with my clothes on is a performance. To act with my clothes off is a documentary."
When it came to a love scene for the film "Duplicity" with Clive Owen, Roberts was immediately clear that she wouldn't appear nude. "You know it's not really what I do," she told the Evening Standard. "So, if you are going to ask me to do it, you have to expect it to be toned down. You know, as a mom of three, I feel like that."
Jim Caviezel says he loves his wife too much to go nude
To many people, Jim Caviezel will be best known as the actor who depicted Jesus in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004. However, he played a very different role in the CBS series "Person of Interest" for five seasons and has established himself as equally capable of being the lead protagonist and major villain on both television and film.
In an interview with People, he explained that he has a deep respect for his wife and doesn't like to appear nude in films because of that. He even asked that he and Jennifer Lopez wear clothes for a sex scene in "Angel Eyes." "You're never gonna see my butt on film," he said.
It isn't just about respect for his wife, though. The actor also takes into account his religious beliefs. "Don't get me wrong," he said to Crosswalk. "I do love scenes — but not ones with gratuitous sex. I also don't do gratuitous violence. And it's not just about my wife, although that's important. It's sin, pure and simple. I mean, it's wrong. But I don't like to talk about these things. It's awkward."
Oprah felt her fans wouldn't forgive her
Oprah Winfrey is not exactly best known for her work as an actor; she's primarily a talk show host, author, and all-round celebrity. Yet, she has received plenty of acclaim for her work on-screen as a professional actor in the likes of "The Color Purple" and "Selma." What fans of Oprah shouldn't be expecting to see anytime soon is any nudity. Discussing the film "The Butler," where she played the wife of White House head butler Cecil Gaines, in a Vulture interview how she fought to remove any love scenes and nudity.
The script originally called for Oprah's character to get frisky with a figure played by Terrence Howard. However, Oprah was adamant this wouldn't be a good idea or help the film. "First of all, she's a mother and she loves her husband," Oprah said. "So she's not gonna be sitting up in the middle of the day watching her soaps in her bra and panties, smoking. And once she does, the audience can never forgive her."
Hilary Duff wants to stay true to herself
As an author, singer, and someone who became a globally famous actor when she was roughly 14, Hilary Duff probably hasn't been under much pressure to take on any specific role. This means she has been in control of her career and able to decide exactly what she does and doesn't want to do. So don't expect her to start doing nude scenes at any point in the foreseeable future.
In light of the fact that she rose to fame as a child star portraying Lizzie McGuire in various kids' television series, she made a vow to avoid taking off her clothes for roles way back in 2006. She told the Sunday Telegraph (via Female First), "If I do a movie, I want to be myself. I don't want to take my top off or anything. ... It seems it's the trend to turn 18 or 19 and then take your shirt off and do something crazy, and I don't know what comes after that."
Angela Bassett didn't want to further stereotypes
For Angela Bassett, on-screen nudity is not something that she is particularly interested in. The veteran actor has appeared in everything from acclaimed biopics such as "What's Love Got to Do with It" to summer blockbusters like "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." But she is more than willing to pass on a role if it doesn't fit with her own philosophy or put her in a position where she is not comfortable.
That's exactly what happened when she was offered the lead role in "Monster's Ball," a part that eventually went to Halle Berry and saw the actor win an Oscar for her performance. Bassett doesn't have any regrets about turning down the film, though; she told Newsweek that she felt getting naked on-screen for that project would have advanced racial stereotypes. "I wasn't going to be a prostitute on film," she said. "I couldn't do that because it's such a stereotype about black women and sexuality.”
She later went on to explain how aware she is that movies are permanent and cannot be escaped. Bassett said, "It's about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later. I mean, Meryl Streep won Oscars without all that."
Jessica Simpson simply refuses to do nude scenes
Jessica Simpson is another star who has found fame across multiple disciplines, which means she doesn't depend entirely on acting for success. Of course, that doesn't mean the singer and businesswoman hasn't had some important roles as an actor. She has appeared in films such as "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "Employee of the Month" as well as numerous television series, including "Entourage" and "That '70s Show."
Speaking to Allure during a photoshoot in 2010, Simpson was very clear that she has no interest in doing any nude scenes. "I will never do nudity," she said. "I don't care how dark and intellectual the role could be, you know? I don't care if I frickin' get an Oscar for it, I'm not going to do it. Those accolades mean nothing to me." Simpson apparently wants to keep that part of her life private, saying, "I don't think people deserve to see what's underneath my clothing."
Drew Barrymore took advice and wanted to set a good example to her kids
Drew Barrymore first rose to fame as a child for her role in 1982's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and her extensive career since then has included comedies like "The Wedding Singer," mystery-thrillers like "Donnie Darko," as well as the well-received Netflix series "Santa Clarita Diet." While she was not opposed to being nude on-screen during her late teens and early 20s, things have changed in more recent times.
Some of that is down to the fact that she listened to advice from those around her. Barrymore explained to The Guardian how Steven Spielberg advised her to cover up more often, which prompted her to say, "He has always inspired me to be my best, so I didn't want him to see me at my worst."
However, motherhood has also shifted her perspective and she now wants to "lead by example" when it comes to being a parent. In her memoir "Wildflower" (via Marie Claire), Barrymore noted how the moment she flashed David Letterman on live television was a turning point. "I realized right then and there that this was the end of an era for me," she said. "And so, I started my journey into no sex scenes in movies, modesty clauses in my contracts, and a total lack of nudity in any public forum from there on out."
Neal McDonough's religion played a role in his decision
Neal McDonough has had a long and varied career. He has had serious dramatic roles in shows like "Band of Brothers" and "Yellowstone," a stint as a villain on "Desperate Housewives," and even been part of the "Arrowverse" as Damien Darhk in various television series. Despite his wide array of roles, though, it's unlikely you'll ever see him doing a nude scene.
The reasons behind this are twofold. McDonough is a devout Catholic who takes his religious beliefs very seriously and believes performing sex scenes would not be appropriate. He also takes the view that it would be disrespectful to his wife to simulate sex with another person. "I've never wanted to do it," he said. "And you know, I got crucified about 10 years ago where they thought I was this religious zealot that I wouldn't do sex scenes. It was really because I love my wife more than I love my craft, and people couldn't understand that."
Raeden Greer was willing to lose roles to avoid nudity
One of Raeden Greer's earliest roles was meant to be in the first season of "True Detective." However, this didn't exactly go to plan and Greer ended up not being involved in the project. According to the actor, director and producer Cary Joji Fukunaga tried to convince her that she needed to appear topless in the series due to her role as an exotic dancer. This was in spite of the fact that nudity had never been previously mentioned before she appeared on set.
"He was trying different things to convince me that it's not a big deal," she told the Daily Beast. "It [was] going to be very tasteful, or it's just gonna be really insignificant in the background. I was like, 'Well, if it's so insignificant, why is he so insistent that I have to do this?' It was just on and on and on with no budging."
Greer found the experience upsetting, especially when she was subsequently fired from the role and replaced because she was unwilling to strip off. "It was degrading. It was humiliating and made me feel terrible," she said. "As soon as I got in my car, I started crying and I called my agent and I told her what happened and she couldn't believe it."
Keira Knightley's views changed after becoming a mother
Keira Knightley is an award-winning actor who has appeared in high-profile movies like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, 2005's "Pride & Prejudice" and "The Imitation Game." During her early career, she didn't shy away from acting in nude scenes, but that changed after she became a mother. Knightley now has two daughters, and this has altered her perspective when it comes to sex scenes and nudity in movies.
"I always felt completely comfortable doing it when I was younger," she told the Financial Times. "I never did anything that I didn't feel comfortable doing. I'm really happy with my body. It's done an amazing thing. But I also don't want to stand there in front of a whole film crew." The actor also joked that it has worked out as she doesn't have to deal with "the nipples droop" and that she can play a role in choosing her body double in nude scenes.
Michelle Pfeiffer's father and her own prudishness played a part
Michelle Pfeiffer is a prolific actor who became a sex symbol and one of Hollywood's most dependable stars. One project that Pfeiffer turned down during her long career was the 1992 thriller "Basic Instinct," which is well known for that controversial Sharon Stone scene. Pfeiffer was initially approached to portray the same character that ultimately went to Stone.
According to Contact Music, Pfeiffer's concern with the movie was the sex scenes and frequent nudity. Apparently, she didn't want her father to see her in those kinds of roles. "I just couldn't do that one," she said. "Because of the sexual parts, the nudity. My father was still alive. "
She later added that she also simply didn't like the idea of appearing naked, as she was somewhat shy and puritanical herself. "I'm kind of prudish," she said. "And honestly? I am not that uninhibited about my body. I'm modest."
Raquel Welch didn't want to upset her father
At one point, Raquel Welch was not only a Hollywood icon but also a huge sex symbol. In fact, her legendary appearance in "One Million Years B.C." in a fur bikini led to her being featured on millions of posters around the world. Well aware of how she was perceived, Welch admitted that she "used my body and sex appeal to advantage in my work" but that this was done "always within limits" so she didn't have to completely expose herself. Famously, she even managed to avoid stripping naked, against the wishes of Hugh Hefner, when she appeared in Playboy.
According to Evie Magazine, Welch explained in her memoir "Beyond the Cleavage" that she liked to keep parts of her life personal. She said, "I reserve some things for my private life, and they are not for sale."
Her father also played a role in her decision not to appear nude on screen. "I am my father's daughter, and that's just not the way you behave," she told Piers Morgan (via The Telegraph). "You don't do that if you are a certain kind of a woman, and that's the kind of woman I was raised to be."
Blake Lively thinks nudity is distracting in films
Blake Lively has often spoken about a self-imposed rule she's had throughout most of her career against appearing naked on-screen. The actor, who is married to Ryan Reynolds, has said on a few occasions that she feels it takes viewers out of the story — in her case, naked bodies in a movie would always instantly draw her attention.
"I always find nudity distracting," she said to Vanity Fair. "I'm very in love with my husband, but if there's a pair of boobs out, I'm a human being! You're like, 'boobs!' It doesn't mean I'm lusting for them, but when there's naked boobies, you look at them."
Yet, she eventually broke this role for the 2016 film "All I See Is You." After reading the script and being moved by the experiences of her character, who begins to regain her sight after a lifetime of blindness, she was persuaded to appear briefly in a modest nude scene.