Completely random question: Do you think Hollywood Actors stay 'closeted' these days?

[ChocolateSantaisthebestkind]

I have just finished reading the biography of Rock Hudson's wife and it just got me thinking about whether Hollywood stars today would feel the need to do the same thing? I know Elliot Paige came out and was well received, so just wondered if 'beards' are still a thing these days? Myself, I have to say the SO of a leading actor would not change my liking or view of them as attractive (you're unlikely ever to date them anyway, so why would audiences care) I have to say it would make me think less of them if they engaged in a cover relationship, because I would be annoyed they would think their audience would be so narrow minded. What are your thoughts?

[PatchworkElmer]

Yes, I absolutely think it’s still going on.

[Melange99]

I suppose when you get a male romantic lead, the film company want the women in the audience to have the fantasy that he would fall in love with her, the character played and the actor merged. If you know the actor is gay, so you have no chance (like you would anyway!) you are less likely to buy into that fantasy. It's just about money and what sells. So, it's not about homophobia but about how much the straight female audience buys into the fantasy. The gay male audience would of course be fine with it, but the female straight audience is bigger.

BTW, my fantasy days are over, I don't care if they are gay or straight. I am not interested in any of 'em.

[Susie477]

Ask yourself how many big-name Hollywood actors are openly gay, then ask yourself what proportion of men who work in the performing arts generally are gay. Compare and contrast the two.

Then you have your answer.

From a commercial perspective, the closeting is understandable. Hollywood wants to sell its product to global audiences, and while attitudes to gay people have progressed massively in western Europe, Canada, blue-state America etc much of the rest of the world is still stuck a very long way behind.

[Timpeall]

@Clymene

Let's face it, it's easier for women to come out because so many men have hot lesbian fantasies that it's not a huge issue. But gay men have a much harder time. While casting directors are frequently female, most directors are male and they have the ultimate say.

I don't think it's massively easier for Hollywood lesbians tbh. Maybe a bit, but not much. There's Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Sarah Paulson but I can't think of anyone else.

[PicsInRed]

Leo DiCaprio reportedly has a long term male "friend", they've been papped behaving like any affectionate old married couple, it's apparently one of the openest secrets in Hollywood.

[partyatthepalace]

@Quirrelsotherface

I think it's changing but very slowly. Loads of leading men in Hollywood are rumoured to be gay, as above it's assumed they won't have the selling power if they aren't seen as a heterosexual heartthrob. Unfortunately I do kind of get it as I don't think a connection between a male and female actor would be the same if one was gay in real life.

Having said that I was surprised to read that the eldest Bridgerton brother is played by an openly gay actor..he really did play that part well and had gorgeous chemistry with his female co-star!

Um well, he’s an actor PP, so why wouldn’t he be convincing?!? also see say Andrew Scott and Phoebe WB in Fleabag (he’s gay), or Aidan Gillan and his male co-stars in queer as folk (none of them were gay)....

[Carycy]

With Elsa haven’t people just assumed she is gay because there is no male love interest? As if a woman can’t possibly have an interesting purpose/ storyline without a love story.
Personally I think they pushed the subtly gay themes in the second film because of the way she caught on as a gay icon.
I never got that vibe in the first film. I just thought it was nice to have a storyline with a woman that didn’t focus on a man.

[peak2021]

I'm sure some do, but as they are not 'out' we probably don't know how many do.

[Thewinterofdiscontent]

But I think the point is theatre and acting doesn’t need people to come out. It’s just accepted within and the audience is just something rose.

[Clymene]

Let's face it, it's easier for women to come out because so many men have hot lesbian fantasies that it's not a huge issue. But gay men have a much harder time. While casting directors are frequently female, most directors are male and they have the ultimate say.

[bonfireheart]

I do think it does hold actors back cos producers are worried about the reaction. I've followed the career of Jonathan Bailey for years(plays Anthony in Bridgerton) he's a great actor and singer, wins awards for his stage acting but never really spoken about for his TV work, am glad he is getting the attention he so deserves.

[TheSpottedZebra]

I did not put that apostrophe there

[VikingLady]

Remember the fuss about Elsa in Frozen being not gay but not visibly straight, because that was the best Disney could do and still sell the film across the Bible Belt and abroad? And she's not even real.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Will Like Evan's get more leading man roles in Hollywood though? A big movie for the Chinese market?

I'd like to think so, but probably not.

[Thewinterofdiscontent]

There’s a connection between being gay and a life in performance arts though. It’s always liked to be a bit outre. It’s not like anyone in drama is going to be shocked and I’m not sure they give a shit what tydcaudience think as long as they are loved.
Why are we not worried about gay miners or steelworkers?
Gaysportsmen is a good standard. Rugby isn’t bothered. Gay sportswomen are well out generally ..where’s the men

[Timpeall]

He did have a very alarming facelift alright. Thankfully it seems to have settled and his face has gone back to normal.

[Melange99]

The things that hampered Rupert Everett's career were not his sexuality - he was a difficult character, although he has mellowed with age, and the word will have got around producers and directors. He fell out with Madonna who had a bit of clout then, whilst not being strictly Hollywood she would have had contacts. And finally, we ruined his good looks with early and bad cosmetic surgery.

[Clymene]

@Quirrelsotherface

And this is why the don't come out. Because people like you don't believe gay people can simulate romantic feelings with people of the opposite sex

Oh do quit with your condescending tone. I go on to acknowledge an actor and performance which proves me wrong so i know my opinion is not a closed book. I really, really have to believe what I see when I'm watching TV or film and it's shit because it means I can't just watch any old thing and enjoy it.

But you must be able to see that's a bit of a bizarre point of view. Because that is exactly what acting is

[Quirrelsotherface]

And this is why the don't come out. Because people like you don't believe gay people can simulate romantic feelings with people of the opposite sex

Oh do quit with your condescending tone. I go on to acknowledge an actor and performance which proves me wrong so i know my opinion is not a closed book. I really, really have to believe what I see when I'm watching TV or film and it's shit because it means I can't just watch any old thing and enjoy it.

[Wagsandclaws]

Neil Patrick Harris does straight roles, the idea is as someone upthread says is that it's acting!

Lots of big name Hollywood actors are gay, it's awful that you can't live your authentic life because of your sexual preferences but that's an accepted thing in Hollywood, closeted men and women will stay that way whilst the world is as it is sadly.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Hollywood sells internationally. Many, many people in the world are homophobic, an openly gay actor is a risk.

[FinalSongbird]

Definitely. I know someone IRL who is a closeted gay man, it's sort of an unspoken truth in our circle of friends. I imagine he will come out when his father dies.

[MyFavouriteIsWhoeverlsQuietest]

I was about to say Matt Bomer but I had no idea he was 43, plus I don't think he has been in many big movies as opposed to indies - Magic Mike and its sequel being an exception.
So the only young actor I can think of in a recent Hollywood blockbuster is Justice Smith, who played the lead in Detective Pikachu. He only came out last year though.

[Sheleg]

We forget, I think, that over 50% of America (going by the electorate split) are very conservative and probably homophobic. Same in other countries around the world where Hollywood makes its money.