You may know that some of these actors are gay, because they are all openly so. Here are our favourite 9 gay actors who play straight characters on screen…
1. Jim Parsons
Best-known for playing Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory. Admittedly Sheldon isn’t great with the ladies, he is, however, dating fellow geek Amy Farrah Fowler. Meanwhile, Jim Parsons who plays Sheldon, is in a long-term relationship with Todd Spiewek. They were set up by friends and had their first date at a karaoke bar. Although Jim admits he hates karoake, Todd sung I Found Someone, and indeed, he had. Now watch Jim as Sheldon with Amy.
2. Jodie Foster
Movie star Jodie Foster’s been in the limelight since breakout movie Taxi Driver. Often playing the object of male desire with roles such as Sarah Tobias in The Accused. But Jodie kept her sexuality private. That is until 2013, at the Golden Globes awards. Jodie made a speech, which included the quote: ‘This is not a big coming-out speech because I already did my coming out back in the stone age – in those quaint days when a fragile girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers and then gradually, proudly, to everyone who knew her.’ Watch Jodie in her role as sassy Sarah in The Accused…
3. Neil Patrick Harris
Sheldon Cooper may not be a womaniser, but Neil Patrick Harris’ character Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, is! Barney regularly picks up women with charm and ease. Neil Patrick Harris also regularly hosted the Tonys until this year when he said he was taking a break. Neil is married to actor David Burtka and they have twins who were born in 2010. Announcing his break from presenting, Neil explained he was happy to step back and watch his husband, saying, ‘I’m so proud of David, it’s great to see him do a Broadway show again. I’m so happy that the spotlight is shining back on him.’ See Barney in action now…
4. Portia de Rossi
The Australian-American actress was first known for her role as lawyer Nelle Porter in TV show Ally McBeal, where she becomes romantically involved with partner of the firm, John Cage. Portia de Rossi has also played Lindsay Funke on Arrested Development, a hands-off mother who has a rocky and open marriage to hubby Tobias. Portia is now a series regular on Scandal, playing Elizabeth North, the scheming Chair of the Republican National Committee. Portia is famously married to comedian and chat show superstar, Ellen DeGeneres. The couple have been married since 2008. Now see Portia as Lindsay in Arrested Development…
5. David Hyde Pierce
The character of Niles in sitcom Frasier, wasn’t particularly macho, but Niles did eventually win the heart of Daphne, his dream woman. David Hyde Pierce had always been private about his personal life, but he officially came out in the media in 2007. He married his long-term writer-director partner Brian Hargrove in 2008. David recently directed the Broadway musical It Shoulda Been You. And had a personal reason for wanting to be involved in the show, his husband Brian had written the story and lyrics! Now see Niles with Daphne in Frasier…
6. Cynthia Nixon
Samantha was the real maneater of Sex and the City, but flame-haired Miranda kept on-screen hubby Steve happy. Cynthia Nixon first came out as bisexual after a public split from her husband. She’s now married to Christine Marinoni and they have a son.
7. Richard Wilson
Long-suffering Margaret had to put up with grumpy hubby Victor Meldrew. And, although Richard Wilson may have had a long-forgotten role as the camp owner of a ladies’ boutique in a BT ad, they didn’t come less flamboyant than Victor with his flat cap! Back in 2013, Richard was number 80 on Time Out’s List of Influential Gay People. He said at the time that it was ‘the most blatant outing.’ But he went on to add, ‘I don’t mind people saying I’m gay – because I am. But I don’t live in a gay relationship. I do find the fact that I don’t have a relationship quite strange. Sometimes I think it’s just the way I’ve ended up and it doesn’t worry me particularly. Other times, yes it does. But sometimes, no…’ Now see Richard in that BT ad with Maureen Lipman…
8. Sara Gilbert
It’s another Big Bang star – Sara Gilbert. She came to fame playing Darlene in Roseanne. It seems Sara can’t get away from having John Galecki as her boyfriend! He played Darlene’s love interest David Healy in Roseanne and they were reunited in The Big Bang Theory. Here, Sara played Leslie Winkle, a smart scientist. She and Leonard, played by Galecki, become friends with benefits. Sara and Johnny dated in real life, and she credits him with helping her accept her sexuality. Sara began a relationship with Alison Adler in 2002 and they had a son in 2004, and a daughter in 2007. In 2010, Sara came out. Now married to rocker Linda Parker, the couple had a son this March. Sara is now a presenter on US chat show The Talk. Now see continuous couple Sara and John Galecki as Leslie and Leonard in The Big Bang Theory…
9. George Takei
The actor had legions of loyal fans for his role as Mr Sulu in Star Trek. Although George Takei wasn’t publicly out during that time, he did participate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organisations, including a gay running club. It was here that George met the love of his life. George says of his now-husband Brad Altman: ‘He was the best runner in the club and also great-looking.’ The couple married in September 2008. George bagged a lot more fans that same year when he appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. While in the jungle, George and Joe Swash became firm friends, as this clips shows..!
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