Are (out) gay actors credible in heterosexual roles?

[tko_ak]

Newsweek recently published what has turned out to be a provocative article on whether openly-gay actors are believable playing heterosexual roles. As an example of this, the author criticizes Sean Hayes (Jack from Will & Grace) for his portrayal on Broadway.

This has led to a major uproar amongst LGBT people, allies, and the entertainment

Comments

[enlisted_smile]

I... yeah, no, I wouldn't call Barney a convincing womanizer. I'd call him an insecure fool. I think NPH made a more convincing straight man in Dr Horrible.

[tko_ak]

LOL. Touche.

But is he such an over-the-top caricature, that there's nothing realistic left?

[fabfemmeboy]

I think it was stupid, but I'm not sure that "homophobic" now means "anything where members of the community don't like the stereotype it's insinuating." I also can't stand the lukewarm boycotts because they stop meaning anything - by which I mean to say, boycotting something that doesn't sit quite right instead of 'saving' our collective power for something more, I don't know, heinous? Important? Having a tangible or significant impact? Not what a critic no one's ever heard of said about a play starring the guy who brought "lovable gays" into midwest living rooms. If we keep calling for boycotts of things that are, quite frankly, not a huge freakin' deal, then when something IS actually horribly offensive and we boycott, no one's going to pay enough attention to even mention it in non-gay media

[enlisted_smile]

Two words: Ian McKellen.

[crumplelush]

Rubbish. Sean Hayes played a straight man in Scrubs and was totally convincing. There are many gay actors playing straight roles who are perfectly convincing. As are many of the straight actors who play gay roles. It's down to the individual and how well they do their job.

[mathwhiz78]

Two words: Brokeback Mountain. Were they not able to play gay because they're not? It's called acting, people.