Jon_K,

I'm guessing you're drawing conclusions from your own experiences, which is understandable, but I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to recognize that other people have had other experiences.

For one example, I'm a working actor who has never had an on-screen or on-stage kiss. (Not by choice. I guess I don't look like the "kissing type.") I'm sure there are others. I'm guessing that among the more famous of my fellow character men -- guys like Nathan Lane, Danny Devito, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and so forth -- there are probably some who, like me, have never played roles that called for smooching. At the very least, it would be incorrect to say that 75% of them do.

I'm guessing you're a younger, attractive leading man. For actors in your category, your statement might be correct. Maybe 75% of your roles call for kissing.

Still, I see this the same way I see nudity. There are many actors who believe it is part of their job to take their clothes off, if the script calls for it. And there are others who, like me, believe their bodies are private, and that acting is pretense and illusion, while nudity is a reality. Those who don't do nudity will miss out on some jobs. Still, it's a valid choice.

Is there not room in our community for different policies? I think what people are having a problem with is your bold assertion that those who disagree with you will never be able to work professionally.

Something to consider.

Off the top of my head I know that John Goodman had a few kissing scenes in "The Flintstones." I imagine most of those other actors did at some point as well.

Love and affection are a big part of the human condition (and therefore they're a big part of the theater). I don't care what type you are, if you're a working actor, then sooner or later you'll encounter a script that deals with these things.

All I'm saying is that making the blanket statement of "I'm not going to kiss on stage" is a very BAD career decision for an actor to make. How do you know it's not your type? Maybe you're good at it, and it'll be your claim to fame? All I'm saying is let the casting directors and producers make those decisions.

As it so happens, the first role I ever did called for a kiss on stage. Scared me half to death. Still does. Nothing quite like being on a stage and not knowing what's going to happen next. But for me that's part of the fun. Couldn't really imagine it any other way.

I've always held to the belief that good actors reveal a piece of who they are on stage (or camera). I would say this is true of all the name actors mentioned in this thread.

If you choose to hide the part of you that comes out when you kiss a woman (or man), then you're doing a real disservice to your talent as an actor. I would say the same is true of nudity, but there are boundaries and not wanting to be naked in front of a camera is something I understand. But kissing? That's almost like refusing to laugh or cry.

Ah I know this is old. but to answer you, no lonni, it doesnt answer my question. Unless you require every guy you date to take an HSV blood test you cant possibly know if he is definitely not a carrier. Like I said, many many people with HSV are asymptotic and thus never learn that they have it, and an HSV blood test isnt a standard part of any physical or STD test. 75 percent of people have some form of HSV. So you only date the 25 percent that dont? Well what a narrow group to chose from. Isnt that a little rude too...to dismiss someone because they have cold sores? I personally am not promiscuous either. but by no means does that mean that i think im invincible and am never going to catch any stds. It only takes ONE person to catch it, and you could be incredibly picky and you just happen to fall in love with someone who has an std, and whats more, isnt even aware of it... I agree that kissing during an audition seems a little ridiculous and that is sad that they even do that...but the question was about a specific scene with ONE actor...id say its about the same risk you'd take in life, period, so to me it's kind of silly to worry that much about it when i know most people dont worry about that type of stuff with the people they are dating.

although i wouldnt go as far as to agree with jon who thinks its on the same scale as "laughing" or "crying" (which by the way i have never seen a man actually do in real life). Jon is obviously very very "friendly" and doesnt see kissing as a big deal . to me and a lot of other people, especially girls, its a pretty big deal and we prefer to only kiss those we truly care about and who are worthy of it...i just dont agree as using stds as the excuse for why you won't do it though.

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i just dont agree as using stds as the excuse for why you won't do it though.

I don't think it's an "excuse", it is a valid consideration. If you do a scene with a trained, sedated, domesticated tiger, you might still want to consider that he DOES have very pointy teeth and raw flesh is his meal of choice and he LIKES to do the honors. This consideration may or may not outweigh the pros of taking the job. Live tiger on a Scorcese pic and live tiger on an undergrad student film are two different things. Kissing in an audition room on a no pay project is different from a scripted kiss in a green lit studio project. Weigh all the possibilities and outcomes and decide accordingly.

There are plenty of roles that don't require kissing. In fact most roles don't require kissing, even Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and George Clooney have been in multiple films where they didn't have to kiss anybody. Shows like CSI, Criminal Minds, Disney, Nick, etc. have majority roles that don't require kissing. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.

why worry about catching anything its and onscreen/stage kiss its fake meaning no tongue.I don't agree realness in acting because it comes off fake.Also in most auditions most actions that are in the parenthesis are optional.You dont have to do them.If you get cast that's a different story.

It's all about communicating with your partner once you get the role.Learning to meet somewhere in the middle so both sides are comfortable.If you have a bit of creative freedom you can do something different.It helps to have a firm grounding in integrity sometimes a kiss isn't needed its just throw in for whatever reason