BOUNDARIES OVER FAME Clifton Powell Explains Why He Turned Down A Role As A ‘Gay Gangsta,’ Says He’s Not Comfortable Kissing A Man On Screen!

Clifton Powell Explains Why He Turned Down Roles He Felt Crossed His Boundaries

Veteran actor Clifton Powell, known for his work in films like Ray and Menace II Society, recently opened up about career choices he’s made behind the scenes — specifically, why he declined certain roles despite the opportunities they might have offered.

In a candid interview, Powell revealed that he once turned down a script in which he was asked to portray a “gay gangsta.” He explained that after reading through the material, he felt the character’s storyline pushed him beyond his personal comfort zone.

Powell also said he passed on the chance to play Wayne Perry, the notorious Washington, D.C. killer, because the script reportedly depicted Perry in a relationship with another man.

The actor emphasized that his decisions were not rooted in homophobia. Instead, he clarified that as a heterosexual man, he has personal boundaries about the kinds of roles he is willing to take on. For Powell, acting is about embodying characters truthfully, but not at the expense of his own values or comfort.

“I’m not against anybody,” Powell explained. “But there are just certain things I’m not going to do.”

His comments have sparked debate online, with some applauding him for sticking to his principles while others argue that an actor’s craft should push them to step outside of their personal identity.

For Powell, however, the choice is clear: he is committed to playing diverse roles — but only within limits he sets for himself.