Neal McDonough Says He Avoids Watching His Performances

Actor Neal McDonough says he has never watched Yellowstone or any of his other screen performances because revisiting them brings back memories that can feel traumatic and painful. He made the comments on the Arroyo Grande podcast, explaining that he can recall the thoughts, music and circumstances he associated with a scene, even years later. McDonough played businessman Malcolm Beck in six episodes of Yellowstone’s second season. He said his avoidance extends to premieres of films in which he appears: he and his wife, Ruvé, attend the red carpet but leave before the screening, then return for dinner or the after-party. The actor said he does not need to watch a finished performance to assess his work. He described trusting his abilities and said that continued acting jobs reassure him that he is doing something right. His remarks offer a personal explanation for why he avoids watching his work, rather than suggesting he has stopped acting or intends to leave the profession. McDonough has previously recounted a difficult period after his departure from the ABC series Scoundrels in 2010.