gay actors comeing out is there a risk?

[KennyD]

It just goes to prove that thee are STILL many Homophobes around in all walks of life and eveerywhere we go ....

 

[Raven03]

While coming out is not considered a death sentence for an actor anymore it can limit what roles you get (like leading roles). Most agents advise actors not to come out because of that. Studios seem to think that people would be to focused on an actors sexuality if he was to take on blockbuster leading roles. Either that or they believe females wont take interest because their fantasy of having them would be destroyed. Basically if you want a chance at a long career playing big leading roles it is advised that you play the game. Out actors, producers, writers etc, have stated that their are plenty of gay actors in the industry however they stay closeted publicly.

Hollywood is still being run by people of old hollywood and with it comes the homophobia.

 

[Pringle]

This sucks bit fat hairy fanny. As if there wasn't enough pressure for these men they have to worry about their career as well.

Although I appreciate the comment about the risk of "destroying the female fantasy" - what about the gay man's fantasy? Surely Hollywood is aware of the value of the gay pound or has it been devalued with the rising interest rates

Roll on when I rule the world so I can stop this nonsensical behaviour.

 

[luminum]

Being typecast is always a risk. Rupert Everett has said that it's a huge problem for him. I like him, and I'd love to see more of him. It's too bad this is happening.

 

[Marvels]

I have to agree with Raven.

Over here, I know a few gay actors (and one lesbian) who have been explicitly told not to reveal their sexuality since it would make it difficult to market them in Romantic Movies, which comprises 90% of our entertainment output.

Oh God does our entertainment industry suck.

 

[MorrisseyX]

I think it depends on the person. Rupertt Everett's career went in the toilet because he made his sexual orientation the focal point of every interview. Now someone like Neil Patrick Harris took the high road. He acknowledged that yes he is gay but he went about his business and lived his life. Rupert just isn't that great an actor. Alan Cumming came out and he just married his partner yet he gets consistent work he's been in X MEN 2 and the L Word and tons of other high profile movies. He's done Cabaret on broadway and the list goes on and on. Rupert made his sexuality be the focal point and I think that just turned off casting directors.

 

[Raven03]

People expected Rupert to be the next big thing after My Best Friends Wedding because woman found him to be a hunk and charming. However after he came out things started to slow down for him. While he admit that he has no regrets coming out he understands more why people keep quite about there sexuality in the industry. At the same time he said he hopes more people have the courage to come out publicly.

I agree with you though that it may also depend on the person. Ian, Alan, and Neil are well established actors in film and theater however they were not out when they started. Up and coming actors seem to have more at risk than an already established movie star. Which is why agents push to get there clients to play it straight for the public while out of the spotlight its a different story. If someone with the status of Brad Pitt was to come out I doubt it would have a negative effect on his/her career. I also think it could help things progress in Hollywood if someone of that status would step up to the plate.

With that said I am happy that there are actors like Chad Allen, Wilson Cruz, Charlie David, TR Knight, Darrell Stephens and others who decided to come out in the early stages of their career. Some of them have admitted that they have lost out on some roles because of being openly gay however they still end up doing fine.

 

[Marvels]

Oh yeah, Ian McKellen's gay, and he's like, in every movie where you need a wise/evil/babbling old man.

 

[DC00777]

Isnt Judi Dench a lesbian? I thought I heard she was, if so she's been on fire for the last decade. Anyway, I think people should wait till they're at a certain point in their career. It also depends whether the person is an "actor" or a "movie star" (yes I'm gonna have to be a snob here). If Brad Pitt said he was gay it would probably hurt his career whereas if Sean Penn or even Johnny Depp said he was gay, I dont think it would matter much. Same thing if Cameron Diaz said she was a lesbian, her career would suffer whereas an actress of Kate Winslet's calliber would not have trouble getting work.

 

[Spensed]

I don't think Judi Dench is a lesbian other than in Notes on a Scandal. She was reportedly very hard hit by the death of her husband of 30 years and that partly motivates her continued acting career.

In any event, although the atmosphere has softened for gay actors, it's still career suicide for a gay actor to come out before they've made it. That's why so few actors come out in their early years.

I'm sure that will change, but we're far from there yet. Talk to any young gay actor.

As for why, it's partly because Hollywood reflects prevailing prejudices, but it's also, in my view, because there are so many paranoid gay guys around movie making. Even if the're out personally, they're often straighter than straight in their work decisions. Look at Brokeback, which would never have got made until someone like Ang Lee threw their weight behind it.

It's the same thing that goes on with many organized religions, which are rife with closet and not-so-closet cases who beat up on other gays. Maybe that too will start to change, when Ted Haggard finishes his rehabilitation and stops being gay.

 

[luminum]

So here's a question: Who do you think has a rougher time getting work: an out lesbian or an out gay man and why?

 

[Raven03]

I would think both have it about the same. Due to the fact the business is run mostly by men, women already have it rough. Being gay would be another strike against them however they would probably rather work with an openly gay actress than actor.

 

[Marvels]

Hmm, Ellen DeGeneres has a hit show and Portia de Rossi is still being salivated over by straight men.


Oh yes, has no one commented yet on Isaiah Washington's (not-so) kind words to TR?

 

[bendyjoe]

nowdays any actor might be gay but is there a risk of them comeing out and why? maybe in the 70's,80's and mid 90's but what about now more and more are comeing out but what are the real risks? think about the late antony hamilton he was up for the role of James Bond but when it was found out he was gay movie studio turned there backs on him and what about daytime soaps there has to be a very large group that are gay what happens with them? when Thom Bierdz (The Young&Restless) came out he was fired from show why he was same still good looking and a good actor why is hollywood like this ?

Sorry to be a bit off topic, but whatever happened to the good old full-stop, or period thingy. I was out of breath by the time I'd finished reading this.

 

[breatheH20]

It'll be a while before being gay isn't that big a deal in Hollywood. We've seen gradual steps forward with this recently, so, just give it some time. Someone else said it already, that Hollywood is still being run by old Hollywood...

 

[Singularity]

I think that an actor's coming out in Hollywood would destroy his/her career is complete bullshit. I mean, come on, it's a gay business for Pete's sake!

 

[luminum]

But will the public be able to accept an openly and well knowns out actor playing, say, a straight role?

Hollywood seems to accept that a hetero can play gay, but it remains to be seen if people can stop making actors' sexualities so huge that it stops them from thinking "Yeah, he's making out with this girl, but we all know he likes men."

 

[bimmrboy]

But will the public be able to accept an openly and well knowns out actor playing, say, a straight role?

Hollywood seems to accept that a hetero can play gay, but it remains to be seen if people can stop making actors' sexualities so huge that it stops them from thinking "Yeah, he's making out with this girl, but we all know he likes men."

NPH seems to be doing okay in a straight and womanizing role.