Hollywood 'resists gay US actors'

BBC ^

[Lunatic Fringe]

Sir Ian McKellen has said openly gay US actors are prevented from having successful Hollywood careers.

"It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality," the gay British actor said.

"And even more difficult for a woman if she's lesbian. It's very distressing to me that that should be the case."

The Lord of the Rings star added: "The film industry is very old fashioned in California."

He was speaking at the Berlin Film Festival, where he received a lifetime achievement award.

[Rummyfan]

Nathan Lane is as queer as a nine-bob note, and open about it too.

[macamadamia]

As if I EVER believed Niles Crane was straight.

[Rummyfan]

The "everyman" downhome next-door type who can kill with a #2 ticonderoga, recast a 5"-.50 Cal bursting charge into a satchel charge in 5 minutes flat, and still have time to romance a playboy Bunnie.

That's why he's Steven Seagal!

[Rummyfan]

Probably that they all needed a good bath and shampoo!

[Lunatic Fringe]

You're kidding, right? She's openly a lesbian.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Good post - While Hollywood has no problem with openly gay people, it is concerned about making money. Hollywood knows that they can't sell a flamer as a masculine action hero.

Xmen2 was the first movie I saw of his that had a significant homosexual undertheme.

Oh? How so?

[Rummyfan]

What a shame!

[Old Professer]

Not too many dirty bums have jobs as soap salesmen, either.

[Horatio Gates]

Are you sure about Heath Ledger? He used to date Heather Graham (not too shabby) and I think he's a new daddy with his current sqeeze who's name escapes me right now. Of course anything is possible I guess

[RebelBanker]

I would say that Sir Ian had his Magneto helmet on too tight except for one thing: Despite Hollyweird's best efforts at brainwashing us, most Americans do not seem to accept homosexuals as leading men or women.

Why does Tom Cruise fight so hard to be considered straight? Because his leading man / action hero days would be over if he were known to be gay.

Robert Reed was gay, but closeted. Does anyone here believe that he would have been able to get the role as "America's Dad" Mike Brady if he were out?

[Chickensoup]

I found out that he was homosexual between the second and the third LOTR film. It slightly impaired my enjoyment of the third film. I found I was not as interested in the character and there was an "ick" factor.

[RebelBanker]

I thought Errol Flynn's problem was that he liked girls a little too young - notably Mexican hookers.

[Rummyfan]

Not gay, AFAIK:

[metesky]

Did you hear they made a musical version of Brokeback Mountain?

Oklahomo!

[Red Badger]

There were rumours about him and some other actor of that time when they were roomates........

[sgtbono2002]

Its hard to watch a love story where boy makes out with girl and knowing the guy is queer as a three dollar bill. I know when Rock Hudson movies come on now I change the channel. It puts me off to see this fag kissing women with Peter on his breath.
Maybe to others it doesnt matter but it sure makes me look for something else to watch.

[rintense]

Cast of the L Word:

Jennifer Beals: straight
Erin Daniels: straight
Rachel Shelley: straight
Pam Grier: straight
Sarah Shahi: straight but dabbled
Laurel Hollman: bi but married to a man
Mia Kirshner: rumored to be bi
Kate Moening: rumored to be gay, bi and straight
Leisha Hailey: lesbian
Daniela Sea: lesbian
Alexandra Hedison: lesbian
Ilene Chaiken, show creator: lesbian
Rose Troche, producer: lesbian
Gwen Turner, writer: lesbian

[sandbar]

David Hyde Pierce is gay!?!?!?

No wonder he looked so uncomfortable with women in a romantic setting, and his wife was never there!!

Wow.

So anyway, I think Heath Ledger and Jake Jillynhall are actually closet homosexuals. My opinion.

[Tanniker Smith]

"It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality," the gay British actor said.

True, it's easier for gay British actors because everyone assumes the stereotype about poofy British actors must be true. Probably comes from all those guys playing Lady McBeth in classical theater or something.

</humor>

TS
(labelled for the humor-impaired)

[Barb4Bush]

I do not believe that Errol Flynn was gay. Certainly no one ever said he was when he was alive. Just more gay propaganda as far as I'm concerned. This is right up there with John Wayne being a cross dresser.