[JimRed]

...part of the popularity comes from a female audience that likes inserting themselves into the fantasy. Would they be as willing to show up to the box office if the romantic lead were openly gay? Seems doubtful.

Rock Hudson was a perfect example. Had he "come out" early in his career he'd have lost much of his fan base, young women.

[Olog-hai]

Given the time period of his career peak, it would have been a career-ender but not because of losing his fan base. But maybe he could have gotten the treatment he needed.

[Migraine]

Raymond Burr, too.