Hollywood and the entertainment industry have a history of being hotbeds of controversy and rumors, but many have made use of it as a platform to inspire and influence the masses.
It is today inhabited by people of various racial backgrounds, faiths, cultures, and even sexual orientations. Hollywood has steadfastly backed the cause in a culture where “LGBTQ+” are still stigmatized.
Since the 1980s, Hollywood celebrities have been bold in revealing their sexuality to the public, and up to this date, Hollywood is gradually improving its portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community.
When it comes to equal treatment and opportunity for many people in the show business industry, we still have a long way to go, but as the number of publicly prominent gay stars increases each year and public support for them does as well, it won’t be long until the playing field of society’s treatment is leveled.
In fact, encouraged by the lower likelihood of backlash directed at them, an increasing number of actors and singers are coming out and publicizing their gender.
Settle down and relax with a gay massage if you need to. Here is a list of some of the most well-known gay actors of all time who proudly represent the amazing LGBTQ+ community:
Neil Patrick Harris
One of the best-known openly gay actors in the world is Neil Patrick Harris, better known as Barney. David Burtka and Harris are proud parents of two children and are happily married.
Patrick Harris’ career has soared ever since he played the child prodigy doctor in Doogie Howser, M.D.
He became well-known and further established his stardom thanks to “How I Met Your Mother.” Neil Patrick Harris is a wonderful actor and a magnetic performer, and it is always a pleasure to see him in the entertainment industry.
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Clara’s Heart (1988), where he played the role of David Hart. |
| Most Famous Role | Barney Stinson in “How I Met Your Mother.” |
| Quotes | “Parents need to be more accepting of who their kids are and less concerned about what society thinks they need to be.” |
Recommended:
Sir Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen, one of the most recognisable gay actors alive, has a voice and a face that are unforgettable. Shakespearean and contemporary theater, as well as popular fantasy and science fiction, are all represented throughout McKellen’s career.
McKellen has earned praise from both critics and audiences for his performances as Magneto in the X-Men franchise and Gandalf the Grey in the Tolkien film adaptations.
Even Margaret Thatcher, a former UK prime minister, was unable to resist his endearing personality and skill as an actor. Even after getting a knighthood recommendation from the Iron Lady, McKellen happily accepted.
Sir Ian Mckellen has been out as gay since the beginning of his career and has been actively involved in LGBTQ+ community initiatives.
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1939 |
| Place of Birth | Burnley, England |
| Debut Movie | “A Touch of Love” in 1969, where he played the role of George Matthews. |
| Most Famous Roles | Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, and as Magneto in the “X-Men” film series. |
| Quotes | “I have nothing to say about living in the past except that one can never do it enough.” |
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Luke Evans
One of the greatest and most well-known gay actors to quietly break through in recent years is Luke Evans.
The pressure from agents and publicists seeking to “preserve” his rising career has kept him from being particularly outspoken about his preferences in relationships, but he also has no intention of hiding the truth!
Despite being currently single, Luke frequently features his ex-boyfriend, director Rafa Olarra, in his Instagram posts. Luke Evans is well-known for playing Bard the Bowman in “The Hobbit” and Owen Shaw in “Fast and the Furious 6.”
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Pontypool, United Kingdom |
| Debut Movie | “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” in 2010, where he played the role of Clive Richards. |
| Most Famous Roles | Gaston in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast,” and as Bard the Bowman in “The Hobbit” trilogy. He has also appeared in “Fast & Furious 6” and “Dracula Untold.” |
| Quotes | “I don’t want to be that actor who’s always out there promoting himself and telling people what they should be thinking about him.” |
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Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is a multi-talented actor, writer, presenter, and activist. Hugh Laurie and Fry’s comedy duo, “Fry & Laurie,” is one of their most well-known roles.
Unlike many others on the list, Fry may not be a household name, but he is unique. In today’s entertainment industry, he is a rare find. He gave one of our generation’s most underrated performances in “Wilde,” for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Additionally, Fry is well-known for his parts in “V for Vendetta” and “The Hobbit trilogy.” Early on, Fry battled to hide his sexuality before coming out as gay. Elliott Spencer, a comedian, and Fry later got married in 2015.
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Hampstead, United Kingdom |
| Debut Movie | “Chariots of Fire” in 1981, where he played the role of Colin Mackenzie. |
| Most Famous Roles | Jeeves in the TV series “Jeeves and Wooster,” which aired from 1990 to 1993. |
| Quotes | “It’s not all bad. Heightened self-consciousness, apartness, an inability to join in, physical shame, and self-loathing—they are not all bad. Those devils have been my angels.” |
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Matt Bomer
Here’s a new addition that will further break the hearts of women. Matt Bomer is well-known for his parts in the television shows White Collar and Chuck as well as the movies Magic Mike and In Time.
Since winning a Golden Globe for his supporting performance in “The Normal Heart,” Bomer has gained popularity as an actor.
The first time he came out as a gay actor in 2012, when he gave a speech in which he thanked his partner, Simon Halls, and their kids for their support.
| Date of Birth | October 11, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Webster Groves, Missouri, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | “All My Children” in 2000, where he played Ian Kipling |
| Most Famous Roles | Neal Caffery in “White Collar”, which aired from October 2009 – December 2014 |
| Quotes | “I think when you play a role, you always have to be a defence attorney for that character” |
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons is best known for playing Sheldon Cooper in the legendary television series The Big Bang Theory, for which he has received numerous awards.
Since May 2017, he has been blissfully married to Todd Spiewak. The Big Bang Theory’s popularity has made Parson one of the most recognizable faces on television.
His caustic humor and comedic timing are amazing, and he is a great gay actor. In addition to the well-known program, Parson also had a supporting role in the multiple-Oscar-nominated movie “Hidden Figures.”
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | “The Normal Heart in 2011, portraying Tommy Boatwright |
| Most Famous Roles | Sheldon Cooper in “The Big Bang Theory, which aired from 2007 – 2019 |
| Quotes | “I think intelligence is usually sexy until it becomes irritating. After that, you’re stuck” |
Wentworth Miller
When Wentworth Miller played the lead role in the wildly popular television series Prison Break, he completely took over Hollywood. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for “Best Actor in a Leading Role.”
When the public has expressed interest in Miller’s sexual orientation, he hasn’t always been the most transparent. Miller initially denied that he was gay back in 2007. When given no other options, he chose, like many other actors, to keep his love life mostly to himself.
His sexual orientation was only made public in 2013, when he declined an invitation from the St. Petersburg International Film Festival, citing “the harsh treatment of gays by the Russian Government” as his justification.
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Chipping Norton, England |
| Debut Movie | Thriller film “Stoker” in 2013, who wrote the screenplay |
| Most Famous Roles | Michael Schofield in the Fox series, Prison Break, which aired from August 2005 – May 2017 |
| Quotes | “I feel extremely lucky, extremely grateful and a little bittersweet, too |
Victor Garber
Although Victor Garber may not be immediately recognisable, he has been quietly giving outstanding performances in supporting roles. Garber is one of those supporting actors who can easily grab the spotlight from the leading actors.
You might recognise him from major films like Titanic, Argo, and Sicario. Victor Garber came out publicly in 2013, not long after Jodie Foster, saying, “I don’t really talk about it, but everybody knows.”
He also confirmed at the time that he was happily living with his longtime partner, Rainer Andreesen.
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1949 |
| Place of Birth | London, Canada |
| Debut Movie | Jesus Christ in the musical “Godspell” in 1973 |
| Most Famous Roles | Jack Bristow in the ABC series “Alias”, 2001 – 2006 |
| Quotes | “I’ve no interest in directing. I’ve no talent for it” |
Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster made her Hollywood debut as a young actress in blockbusters including Taxi Driver, Freaky Friday, and Bugsy Malone. She played FBI trainee Clarice Starling in the renowned thriller/horror film Silence of the Lambs, which solidified her place among the all-time greats.
Jodie had been in a relationship with a guy for the majority of her life, but the media was always speculating that she was a “closeted lesbian,” including a gay magazine that should have known better.
Her supporters were ecstatic in 2013 when she eventually came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She could finally stop rolling her eyes at intrusive interview questions after all those years.
Jodie’s life was made even better when she married her partner, actress and photographer Alexandra Hedison.
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Napoleon and Samantha in 1972 |
| Most Famous Roles | Iris in Taxi Driver, 1976 |
| Quotes | “Normal is not something to aspire to, it is something to get away from” |
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Ellen Nixon is a theater director, activist, and actress from the United States. She won the 2004 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in the HBO series Sex and the City.
She reenacted the role in the films Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2, as well as the television show And Just Like That. Her other film credits include Amadeus, James White, and A Quiet Passion, in which she played Emily Dickinson.
Cynthia was an outspoken supporter of gay rights even before she came out. She was an outspoken supporter of marriage equality, and she met her future wife at an LGBTQ+ rally in 2002.
She’s talked about how identifying as queer is far more liberating than identifying as gay or bisexual, because it encompasses her years of living a heterosexual lifestyle.
| Date of Birth | April 9, 1966 |
| Place of Birth | Manhattan, New York, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Little Darlings, 1980 |
| Most Famous Roles | Played Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City, in 1998 – 2004 |
| Quotes | “I don’t really want to get married to get married pretend” |
Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett is a writer and actor from England.
He first came to public attention in 1981, when he was cast as an openly homosexual pupil at an English public school in the 1930s in Jullian Mitchell’s play and subsequent film Another Country (1984); the role earned him his first BAFTA Award nomination.
Everett’s performance in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) drew a lot of attention and praise, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe. Although Everett supports gay rights, he has previously stated that his sexuality has harmed his career prospects.
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | Burnham Deepdale, England |
| Debut Movie | The Happy Prince, 2018 |
| Most Famous Roles | Another Country in the 1930s |
| Quotes | “It’s amazing the clarity that comes with psychotic jealousy” |
Ben Wishaw
Ben has played the voice of Paddington Bear, the next generation of Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins Returns, Suffragette, The Danish Girl, and the Millennial Q in the James Bond films Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die.
He’s also appeared in major dramatic plays such as “Hamlet” and “The Crucible.” Ben famously came out in 2013.
While being in the spotlight outside of character roles was never his strong suit, he did open up enough to reveal that he and his partner, Mark Bradshaw, entered into a civil partnership in 2012.
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Clifton, United Kingdom |
| Debut Movie | The Happy Prince, 2018 |
| Most Famous Roles | A security worker in “Surge” in 2020 |
| Quotes | “Filmmakers tell stories to explore human nature, which is always a flawed thing” |
Elliot Page
Elliot revealed to the world that he was a trans man who used he/they pronouns. He was quickly lauded as a ray of hope for trans and non-binary people everywhere, and we couldn’t agree more.
Elliot was recovering from major surgery at the time of his public debut, which he described as a “life-saving” procedure. Elliott, best known for his roles in Juno, Whip It, Inception, and Tales of the City, first came out as a lesbian in 2014, while they were presented as female.
Elliot received worldwide acclaim at the time for his speech, in which he expressed his frustration with having to hide who he was. He later talked about being outed by the director of X-Men: The Last Stand.
Elliot has remained in his role on The Umbrella Academy since coming out as trans, with the show’s writers incorporating his identity into his character’s storyline. Elliot’s credits on Netflix have also been updated to reflect his new name.
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Halifax, Canada |
| Debut Movie | Marion Bridge, 2002 |
| Most Famous Roles | Hard Candy (2005), Juno (2007), Inception (2010) and Tallulah (2016) |
| Quotes | “We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise” |
Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto is one of the most well-known gay actors in the industry today, best known for his roles as Sylar in the science fiction drama series Heroes and Spock in the J.J. Abrams Star Trek series.
Alongside James Franco and Oliver Stone’s Snowden, he gave solid performances in films like “I am Michael.” Quinto had long been a proponent of gay rights and organizations such as the Trevor Project before coming out.
In October 2011, Quinto made his sexual orientation public.
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Tony Kushner’s titanic play “Angels” in 2010 |
| Most Famous Roles | Played Sylar in the drama series Heroes, 2006 – 2010) |
| Quotes | “Part of being a psychopath is an ability to disassociate from one reality and create another one, completely” |
Portia de Rossi
Portia de Rossi announced her retirement from acting in 2018. Although her decision to stop working on Ally McBeal and Arrested Development left many in tears, it is safe to say that her legacy is already very much cemented.
She was initially married to a man (though really, this was part of a plan to get a green card, which she later aborted). She acknowledged that the relationship wasn’t right for her.
She first met Ellen DeGeneres in 2004 at an awards ceremony, and since then, the two have established themselves as one of Hollywood’s most recognisable couples.
| Date of Birth | January 31, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Horsham, Australia |
| Debut Movie | Film comedy “Sirens”, 1994 |
| Most Famous Roles | Murphy in “Scream 2”, 1997 and Ice Queen in Ally McBeal, 1997 |
| Quotes | “Everyone is their own kind of lesbian. To think there’s a certain way to dress or present yourself in the world is just one more stereotype we have to fit into” |
Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch has a long list of theater and television credits, but Ryan Murphy’s musically inclined smash series is what made her famous. Jane Lynch is as queer as they come, despite the fact that her character was heterosexual.
Jane chose not to follow Rosie O’Donnell or Ellen by publicly coming out, and unlike many other gay celebrities, she was never advised to remain in the closet. Despite this, Jane found it difficult to embrace herself as she grew up.
Jane has overcome her humiliation, though, and is now a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She supports LGBTQ+ movements all over the world and is now married to Jennifer Cheyne, her partner.
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | Evergreen Park, Illinois, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Played Miss Hannigan in the Revival of Annie in 2013 |
| Most Famous Roles | Sue Sylvester in the movie “Glee, 2009 – 2015 |
| Quotes | “I try not to plan ahead. I just kind of try to think in the moment. I always believe everything will work out the way it’s supposed to” |
George Takei
He is adored by nerds for his iconic Star Trek character, Hikaru Sulu. He is adored by gay people for his steadfast advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
He is such a well-liked personality in American entertainment that he has appeared in multiple TV comedies as himself, including Malcolm in the Middle, Will & Grace, The Big Bang Theory, and Futurama.
He even has a star of his own on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also established himself in the UK by participating in the game show Mr. & Mrs. and the reality series “I’m A Celebrity”.
In response to Arnold Schwarzenegger voting against gay marriage in California while he was governor, George “officially” came out, however, he acknowledged that his devoted followers and close friends had known for years that he was gay.
In 2008, he married Brad Altman, his longtime companion.
They were the first openly gay couple to submit an application for a marriage license in West Hollywood, and Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols, both former Star Trek actors, served as his best man and best woman, respectively.
| Date of Birth | April 20, 1937 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Ice Palace, 1960 |
| Most Famous Roles | Mr Sulu in the Original Star Trek television series – September 8, 1956 – June 3, 1969 |
| Quotes | “It’s really hard to hate someone for being different when you’re too busy laughing together” |
John Barrowman
He could be familiar to you from I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here or from a Doctor Who episode or from a West End show.
Regardless of how you originally came into encounter with John Barrowman, you will always remember his booming, brassy, dramatic voice and his catchphrase “fab-u-lous! “.
Born in Scotland, Barrowman immigrated to the US when he was 8 years old, where he became active in the theater department of his school. In 1989, he made his West End debut in the musical Anything Goes, playing Billy Crocker, the lead character.
He continued acting after that, appearing in Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, and Beauty and the Beast. He first met Scott Gill, his spouse, backstage in a Rope production. After California passed legislation allowing for marital equality, the renowned couple was married in 2013.
Barrowman is an active and outspoken member of the LGBTQ+ community outside of acting. Along with the UK Charity Stonewall, he has worked on projects that combat homophobia in educational settings.
The organisation distributed hundreds of posters with the tagline “Some people are gay. Get over it! “
| Date of Birth | March 11, 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Mount Vernon, United Kingdom |
| Debut Movie | Billie Crocker in “Anything Goes” in 1989, 2002 and 2003 |
| Most Famous Roles | Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who, 2005 |
| Quotes | “Honestly, the world can be a dark enough place. Light it up” |
Billy Porter
Billy Porter is an American actor, singer, writer, and director. Before beginning a solo acting and singing career, he became well-known for his Broadway performances.
For his role as Lola in Kinky Boots, Porter received the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He attributes the role with “breaking open” his feminine side so he could deal with toxic masculinity.
Porter also received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance in the part. “In the midst of the AIDS crisis,” Porter came out at the age of 16.
He first met Adam Smith in 2009, and they got married on January 14, 2017.
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Anything’s Possible, 2022 |
| Most Famous Roles | Pray Tell on FX’s pose |
| Quotes | “I’ve always been passionate about fashion” |
Alan Cumming
Alan is a true film and stage star. He has won many awards for his acting, including one for his lead performance in Hamlet in 1994.
He won the Tony Award for Cabaret’s Best Musical Performance.
He has acted in large films including Spice World, GoldenEye, and Eyes Wide Shut, however, Her Majesty the Queen’s designation of him as an OBE for his contributions to theater, movies, and LGBTQ+ rights campaigning was one of his highest awards.
Since coming out as bisexual, Alan has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. He also appears in a video ad produced by the Equality Network to promote gay marriage in Scotland.
After having a civil partnership in 2007, he married illustrator Grant Shaffer formally in New York in 2012.
| Date of Birth | January 27, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Aberfeldy, Scotland |
| Debut Movie | Prague in 1992 |
| Most Famous Roles | Hamlet, 2015 |
| Quotes | “Once in a while, it’s good to challenge yourself in a way that’s really daunting” |
Harvey Fierstein
Harvey Fierstein is a true icon of stage and screen, whose unique voice and indelible presence have captivated audiences for decades. With a career spanning over 40 years, he has left an indelible mark on the worlds of theater, film, and television, thanks to his incredible talent, fearless creativity, and unapologetic authenticity.
From his Tony Award-winning performances in shows like “Torch Song Trilogy” and “Hairspray,” to his unforgettable voice work in animated classics like “Mulan” and “The Simpsons,” Fierstein has proven time and again that he is a true master of his craft.
But it’s not just his talent that makes him so captivating – it’s his unbridled passion for the arts, his unwavering commitment to social justice, and his infectious sense of humor that truly set him apart.
Whether he’s using his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, penning powerful plays about the struggles of marginalized communities, or simply making audiences laugh with his quick wit and larger-than-life personality,
Fierstein always manages to connect with people on a deeply personal level. His work is inspiring, thought-provoking, and above all, incredibly entertaining – and it’s no wonder that he’s become such a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1954 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Torch Song Trilogy, 1988 |
| Most Famous Roles | Mrs Doubtfire (1993), Independence day (1996) |
| Quotes | “I just want to be loved. Is that so wrong” |
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson is a talented actress who has graced both the big and small screens with her captivating performances.
Paulson has become a familiar face in the entertainment industry, thanks to her impressive body of work. Some of her notable movie roles include playing a con artist in “Ocean’s 8,” a reporter in “The Post,” and a psychic in “American Horror Story.”
Speaking of “American Horror Story,” Paulson has been a regular on the popular horror anthology series since its inception in 2011. She has won critical acclaim and numerous awards for her performances on the show, including an Emmy for her role as Marcia Clark in “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”
Aside from her impressive acting skills, Paulson is also known for being an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She has been in a long-term relationship with actress Holland Taylor since 2015 and has been vocal about her support for LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
| Date of Birth | December 17, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Tampa, Florida, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Levitation, 1994 |
| Most Famous Roles | Leanne Bossert “The Long Way Home”, 1998 |
| Quotes | “To not have any hope is where things start to get really bleak. Things are possible. The impossible can be possible” |
Lily Tomlin
Lily Tomlin is a beloved actress and comedian who has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Born on September 1, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, Tomlin has been entertaining audiences for over six decades.
Tomlin’s career started in the 1960s when she began performing stand-up comedy. She quickly gained recognition for her sharp wit and hilarious characters, and eventually transitioned to television and film.
Some of Tomlin’s most iconic roles include playing a telephone operator in the comedy classic “Nine to Five,” a rebellious grandmother in “Grandma,” and a philosophical homeless woman in “I Heart Huckabees.”
Aside from her impressive acting career, Tomlin is also an LGBTQ+ icon. She has been in a long-term relationship with her partner Jane Wagner since 1971 and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
Tomlin’s dedication to her craft and her advocacy work has earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1939 |
| Place of Birth | Detroit, Michigan, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Robert Altman’s Nashville, 1975 |
| Most Famous Roles | Frankie Bergstein in Grace and Frankie, 2015 |
| Quotes | “Things are going to get a lot worse before they get worse” |
Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell is a beloved American comedian, actress, and talk show host known for her quick wit and larger-than-life personality. Born in Commack, New York in 1962, O’Donnell began her career in comedy clubs before moving on to television and film.
O’Donnell is perhaps best known for her talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, which aired from 1996 to 2002 and won multiple Emmy Awards. She has also appeared in a number of movies, including A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, and Harriet the Spy.
In addition to her successful career in entertainment, O’Donnell is a well-known advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She came out as a lesbian in 2002 and has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality and other LGBTQ+ issues. O’Donnell has also been open about her struggles with mental health, including depression and anxiety.
In 2012, O’Donnell married her partner Michelle Rounds, but the couple divorced in 2015. O’Donnell has five children, three of whom were adopted
| Date of Birth | March 21, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Commack, New York, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | “A League of their Own”, 1992 |
| Most Famous Roles | Fiddler on the Roff (2004) and Pippin (2004) |
| Quotes | “When you’re silent, it’s as good a lying” |
BD Wong
BD Wong is a highly respected American actor known for his versatile range and powerful performances. Born in San Francisco in 1960, Wong began his career in theater before moving on to television and film.
Wong has appeared in a wide range of movies and TV shows, including the hit series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where he played forensic psychiatrist, Dr. George Huang, for over a decade. He has also starred in movies like Jurassic Park, The Karate Kid Part II, and Mulan.
Wong is an openly gay actor who has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout his career. He came out publicly in the 1990s and has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality and other LGBTQ+ issues.
In addition to his work on stage and screen, Wong is also a passionate activist and advocate for social justice. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues like racism and police brutality and has been involved in a number of charitable organizations.
Wong has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Richie Jackson, since the early 2000s. The couple has two children together, both born via surrogacy.
| Date of Birth | October 24, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | San Francisco, California, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | M. Butterfly, 1993 |
| Most Famous Roles | Dr. George Huang on Law and Order, 1990 – present |
| Quotes | “I always knew I would be more of a character actor than a leading man, and I always wanted to take that and run with it” |
Nathan Lane
Lane is perhaps best known for his work in musical theater, including his Tony Award-winning performance in The Producers. He has also appeared in movies like The Birdcage, The Lion King, and Mouse Hunt.
While Lane has not publicly identified as LGBTQ+, he has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout his career. He has spoken out about the importance of representation in the entertainment industry and has been involved in organizations like the Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth.
Lane has been married to his longtime partner, a theater producer, and writer Devlin Elliott, since 2015. The couple has been together for over 20 years.
| Date of Birth | February 3, 1956 |
| Place of Birth | Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Noel Coward play “Present Laughter”, 1982 – 1983 |
| Most Famous Roles | The Lion King (1994) and The Birdcage (1996) |
| Quotes | “I’m not going to wear this in the show. Have you met my finger puppet Melvin” |
Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson was a highly successful American actor known for his rugged good looks and charismatic on-screen presence. Born in Winnetka, Illinois in 1925, Hudson began his career in Hollywood in the 1940s.
Hudson appeared in a wide range of movies throughout his career, including the classics Giant, Pillow Talk, and All That Heaven Allows. He was a leading man in Hollywood for many years, and was considered one of the most desirable men in the entertainment industry.
While Hudson was not publicly out during his lifetime, he is now considered a prominent figure in LGBTQ+ history. Hudson was one of the first major Hollywood actors to die of AIDS, which helped to raise awareness of the epidemic and the need for more research and funding.
Hudson’s coming out story is a complicated one, as he was not able to publicly acknowledge his sexuality during his lifetime due to the intense stigma and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals at the time. However, in the years since his death, Hudson has become a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community and a powerful advocate for greater understanding and acceptance.
| Date of Birth | November 17, 1925 |
| Place of Birth | Winnetka, Illinois, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Hollywood, 2020 |
| Most Famous Roles | Fighter Squadron (1948) and Giant (1956) |
| Quotes | “I am not happy that I am sick. I am not happy that I have AIDS. But if that is helping others, I can at least know that my own misfortune has had some positive worth” |
Richard Chamberlain
Chamberlain began his career in theater before moving on to film and television.
Chamberlain is perhaps best known for his work in the TV series Dr. Kildare and the mini-series Shogun, both of which earned him critical acclaim and a legion of fans. He has also appeared in movies like The Towering Inferno, Petulia, and The Three Musketeers.
While Chamberlain was not publicly out during the peak of his career, he came out as gay in 2003, at the age of 69. In his memoir, “Shattered Love,” Chamberlain opened up about his struggles with his sexuality and his decision to remain closeted for so many years.
Chamberlain’s coming out story was widely celebrated in the LGBTQ+ community, as he was one of the first major Hollywood actors to publicly acknowledge his sexuality later in life. He has since become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken out about the importance of representation in the entertainment industry.
Chamberlain has never been married but has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, producer Martin Rabbett, since the 1970s.
| Date of Birth | March 31, 1934 |
| Place of Birth | Beverly Hills, California, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Reverend Shannon in “The Night of the Iguana” (1975) |
| Most Famous Roles | Shogun (1980), The Thorn Birds (1983) and The Bourne Identity (1988). |
| Quotes | “Over a long period of time, living as if you were someone else is no fun” |
T.R. Knight
T.R. Knight is an American actor known for his impressive performances on both stage and screen. He was born on March 26, 1973, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. T.R.’s acting career took off in the early 2000s when he landed roles in popular TV shows such as “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “CSI.” However, it was his portrayal of Dr. George O’Malley on the hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” that really put him on the map.
In addition to his acting chops, T.R. Knight is also known for being an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2006, he came out publicly as gay, which was a brave move at the time given the lack of representation in Hollywood. Since then, he has been an outspoken activist for LGBTQ+ rights and has used his platform to raise awareness about important issues.
T.R. Knight’s performances have been lauded by both critics and audiences alike. He has appeared in a number of movies, including “The Last Request” and “42,” and has also starred in several theater productions. His portrayal of Lenny in the Broadway revival of “Three Tall Women” earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Although T.R. Knight has had a successful career in the entertainment industry, he has managed to keep his personal life relatively private. He married his longtime partner, Patrick Leahy, in 2013, and the couple has been happily together ever since.
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America |
| Debut Movie | Daniel in “Garmento”, 2002 |
| Most Famous Roles | Dr. George O’Malley on the ABC medical drama television series Grey’s Anatomy (2005–2009, 2020) |
| Quotes | “I hope that fact I’m gay isn’t the most interesting part of me” |
Along the same lines as actors, we also have the best gay singers for your reading pleasure. If you’d like to peak into history, here is a list of Gay actors from a bygone era.
Featured Image: Shutterstock/DFree
