Can gay actors play gay characters??

[Guest]

I just saw the pilot of "Crumbs" staring Fred Savage, and I'm just thinking to myself--are gay actors completely incapable of playing gay characters? Too much of a stretch? They didn't seem to be able to find competent gay actors for Brokeback Mountain or Alexander. In fact, I have a hard time trying to think of any gay actors who play gay characters other than one of the actors from "Will and Grace," and one of the actors from "Queer as Folk." In fact, most of the actors who play gay characters seem to scream from every rooftop "I'm really straight! I'm really straight!", including Hal Sparks who I remember said in an interview that kissing a guy was like kissing a dog. I've never even kissed a dog. What the hell does that feel like?

I can't seem to figure out why they can't find gay actors to play gay characters. There are gay actors out there, aren't there? Well, if anybody in this message center has an explanation for this conundrum, I really want to hear it. And am I the only one who wants to see a TV show or movie with gay characters portrayed by gay actors??

[Guest zipperzone]

>In fact, I

>have a hard time trying to think of any gay actors who play

>gay characters other than one of the actors from "Will and

>Grace,"

 

I assume you're referring to Jack? I have never heard for sure that he was gay but kinda assumed he was.

 

>and one of the actors from "Queer as Folk."

 

Slight correction here - I think there were 3 gays in this show,

 

1: Robert Gant (Ben)

2: Peter Paige (Emmett)

3: Randy Harrison (Justin)

[+ deej]

Exactly right on the QAF roles.

 

Gay actors can certainly play gay roles. Doesn't anyone remember Nathan Lane in "Birdcage"?

 

The bottom line is the role goes to the actor who tests best for it and will likely make the producer the most money.

[+ ArVaGuy]

>Exactly right on the QAF roles.

>

>Gay actors can certainly play gay roles. Doesn't anyone

>remember Nathan Lane in "Birdcage"?

>

>The bottom line is the role goes to the actor who tests

>best for it and will likely make the producer the most money.

>

 

That is certainly true but there are also a number of gay actors who don't want gay roles for fear of being typecast. This seems to be a phobia among Hollywood actors, most of the Europeans don't seem to have an issue about such. Perhaps the best "gay actor" is Ruppert Everet who has played not only openly gay but some darn convicing straight roles as well.

 

Sean Hayes on W & G has not ever fully acknowledged his orientation to my knowlege. This despite playing the lead in Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss.

[JT Brooklyn]

IMHO.."Crumbs" isn't going to Last very long in the Lineup, to really matter who Play's the Gay Brother! "The Book of Daniel" it is NOT! :7

[+ Charlie]

Sean Hayes was actually a much more believable gay character in "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" than he is as Jack.

[+ deej]

>a number of gay actors who don't want gay roles for fear of being typecast

 

And then there are actors like Ryan Carnes who played gay in the movie "Eating Out" and now on "Desperate Housewives". Even Heath Ledger (or maybe it was Jake) played gay before BBM.

 

No actor wants to be stuck or "typed". But they do like to work, and there aren't that many gay roles.

 

My point is the whole argument is silly. They're ACTORS. They get the jobs that suit their age, look and acting ability (more or less). I'm sure someone like Danny Pintauro would love to have more work, but can you see anyone casting him in BBM? He's completely wrong for it!

[augustman]

Sorry but your thread is a bit insulting. Your presumption that a gay actor can only really feel what a gay person feels to put on screen defies what the term "acting" means. I question whether actors who are gay but very low key about it would really want to play gay characters for fear of being turned down for other roles. As much as Holloywood is celebrating Brokeback Mountain, don't expect a rush of dramtic stories to hit the screens unless there is box office behind it.

 

Hollywood merely projects what society is currently talking about. For years black actors were subordinated to supporting roles, but wait that is just what society was doing. It took years for black actors to be given any dramatic roles. It first started in musicals and comedy. Then it evolved as society evolved. Similar paths, for Hispanics and Arab cultures. I certainly didn't see Rock Hudson screaming "I am not straight I am gay" because that is what society wants. It was as big a secret in Hollywood as it would have been in any job. So as society becomes more accepting of the gay actors Hollywood will be just as inclusive.

 

For all the liberal support from Hollywood, much like society at large, at the end of the day it will support gay issues with donations but where they could really do the most good by integrating real gay characters into movies, more than a diversion but actually part of the plot, only the bottom line speaks. Because remember they have to report to their stockholders.

 

That is why the importance of Brokeback Mountain is not if it is a great critical success, but does it have life at the box office and the after sale market. Sorry, but there just is not enough money in the gay community, but that is okay what we want is acceptance and support from the community at large because this is where we live.

 

So while you lament the lack of gay actors play gay characters, look at the potrail of the character to see if the evolution of society is changing. I am hopeful that maybe a show like House or Law and Order, SVU or CSI would add a meaningful role for which the person depicted happens to be gay. Not some flamboyant feather duster, but a doctor or lawyer or clinician. I mean , on Law and Order, it was not until the show she got fired on the Asst DA on Law and Order said she was a lesbian, that I found out she was gay. And it was inserted so awkwardly at the time.

 

I think we have to be thankful that at least they recognize we exist and hopefully it will continue to evolve.