Shortly after the election of Pope Leo XIV, I had a video chat with star Neal McDonough and director Jon Avnet of the upcoming Angel Studios release, The Last Rodeo, hitting theaters on May 23. As we’re both Irish Catholics — and I share a name with Chicago’s main airport — McDonough started by asking me about our Chicago-born pontiff.
We’ve known each other since I first interviewed him in the late ’90s, and lately his varied career — encompassing sci-fi and all kinds of drama — has taken some new turns.
Later in the chat, we go on to exploring how this Massachusetts kid evolved into the star of Western-themed movies, his long relationship with Avnet, the challenges of shooting bull-riding scenes, and some shoulder mishaps.
What Is The Last Rodeo About?
This how Angel describes the film:
A retired rodeo legend risks it all to save his grandson. Facing his own painful past and the fears of his family, he enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition as the oldest contestant ever. Along the way, he reconciles old wounds with his estranged daughter and proves that true courage is found in the fight for family.
Click here for the official site.
The Rest of the Cast — and Kissing a Girl
Along with McDonough, the film also stars Mykelti Williamson — who previously starred with McDonough in the NBC series Boomtown, which also introduced McDonough to Avnet — Christopher McDonald, Sally Jones, PBR professional bull-rider Daylon Swearingen … and McDonough’s wife, Ruvé McDonough.
As McDonough’s fans know, because of his Catholic faith, he’s given up a lot of work over the years because he won’t kiss a woman on-screen who’s not his wife. Well, he finally got to kiss a girl — his girl.
We talk about all that and more.
Take a look!
Image: Angel Studios
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