04/15/2008
Brothers & Sisters Actor Luke MacFarlane: I'm Gay
Though his rumored relationship with T.R. Knight was well documented and other relationships speculated about, Luke MacFarlane was never out publicly until today, in an interview with Canada's Globe & Mail:
"Though no secret to his family and close friends, Macfarlane has, until now, been guarded about his personal life as a gay man. Over lunch in Los Angeles, where he lives, he initially insists that he has no concerns about his public revelation - but a few seconds later he is shifting nervously in his chair, and concedes that he is 'terrified.' ... 'I don't know what will happen professionally ... that is the fear, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth. There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what's been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself - so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way.'"
Macfarlane also talks about the big upcoming event [Possible SPOILER] on Brothers & Sisters:
"From a standing outside perspective, and also as someone who is gay, I think that it's a very exciting time. How exciting that we're saying, 'This can be part of the cultural fabric, now,' because it is two series regulars, two people that you invite into your home and you see every week. It's telling of the beginning of more waves and I'm very proud of that...Most importantly, in portraying gay people, the more we realize it's just like portraying anybody else and, gay marriage, it's not about two people being gay, it's about two people who love each other and who have decided to commit to each other for the exact same reasons any other couple would get married. Hopefully, the more that becomes part of the cultural awareness it won't be...(he pauses and says, employing a mock, exaggerated voice of a television announcer)...a spectacular Sunday episode."
Luke MacFarlane of "Brothers & Sisters" comes out publicly as gay [after elton]
A commitment to himself [globe and mail]
Previously
T.R. Knight and Luke MacFarlane: TV's Hottest New Gay Couple? [tr]
Wentworth Miller and Luke MacFarlane Take it to the Streets [tr]
Itemized: Wentworth Miller and Luke McFarlane? [tr]
Luke MacFarlane and Matthew Rhys Heat Up Brothers & Sisters [tr]
Posted 11:30 AM EST by Andy Towle in I'm Gay, Luke MacFarlane, News, T.R. Knight, Television | Permalink
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He's adorable! Good for him for coming out (though I'm not sure it surprised anyone).
Posted by: peterparker | Apr 15, 2008 11:38:32 AM
I think the question left hanging in the air is whether or not he outed Wentworth Miller in the process (crosses fingers).
Posted by: peterparker | Apr 15, 2008 11:41:43 AM
*jaw drops*
For someone who loves B&S and haven't been following rumours of the cast, this is shocking. I never suspected!
Posted by: VestibuleSublevel | Apr 15, 2008 11:45:52 AM
Total respect, good for him. Awesome.
Posted by: Sasha | Apr 15, 2008 11:51:54 AM
Well, this is great and he is very brave. He should have the support of the gay communities. Unlike others, he is "coming out" voluntarily. BUT!...how far can the career of an openly gay Hollywood actor go. Can you reach star status (or more importantly, matinee idol status)if you are openly gay, and the public knows it?
Mr MacFarlane is brave and honest, but I have patience with young actors who do not "come out" publicly--screen actors, that is. If you're depending on your sex appeal to build your career, and your "romantic fantasy appeal" to heterosexual women, I can understand the continued existence of the "Hollywood Closet".
We've had this debate on this blog before. Some of y'all say, "why can't a gay man be a sex symbol to women?" Sure he can, if he stays in the closet--OR, maybe if he says he is BISEXUAL. THen he can be the sexual fantasy of both women and gay men. But being young and working in Hollywood seems to be about SEX APPEAL. You aint gonna' change 90 years of Hollywood history.
You can come out publicly when your 70....'course you may not be a heart throb anymore.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 15, 2008 11:52:46 AM
I love how more and more actors are saying "fuck off, I'm not going to stay in the closet"
Posted by: Sasha | Apr 15, 2008 11:54:35 AM
Yeah for Luke! I happen to love Scotty on "B&S" so I, in turn, love Luke!
I know his career won't be easy, but I think he's such a good actor and he's also not a household name that he should be okay playing parts indie movies and things. It's when he breaks on through to that "movie star" level (if ever) that the whole gay thing causes problems.
Posted by: junior | Apr 15, 2008 11:59:55 AM
Maybe his objective is not to be a "superstar." Maybe just a working actor.
Most ordinary people could care less who's gay in entertainment. I think the true homophobia lies in Hollywood itself. Good for him,though
Posted by: cb4422 | Apr 15, 2008 12:02:29 PM
ALTHOUGH, I guess it may be time for Hollywood folk to realize that there are millions of gay people out there (in the dark, as Norma Desmond would say) who pay money to see movies and TV. Are there enough "gay dollars" (and non-bigoted "straight dollars") to back up openly gay actors/entertainers? I mean Ellen and Rosie are big stars, but they trying to be sex symbols...thank God.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 15, 2008 12:03:14 PM
Who cares if he becomes a "star" or not. The man is already one in my book. This kind of coming out can be such an encouragement to younger guys who may feel isolated and persecuted in their sexuality. We need more brave people like this in the public eye.
Posted by: busytimmy | Apr 15, 2008 12:10:45 PM
Rosie and Ellen ARE NOT trying to be sex symbols, I meant to say. But Madonna's bisexuality may have helped her career. It's different for women...isn't it?
You're absolutely right, CB4422, and maybe the "kiss of career death" is based on Hollywood anti-gay bigotry.
THen again, I've heard and read the hate-filled anti-gay comments directed at male entertainers who were thought to be gay. And a lot of these actors/entertainers are carry a lot of people on their shoulders--not just themselves. The decision to "come out" in Hollywood is still debatable. All we can do is support those who do.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 15, 2008 12:17:45 PM
Derrick, it's a fallacy to think that once a celebrity comes out that he or she ceases to be a sex symbol. I, for one, am obsessed with Angelina Jolie and, honey, I am pining to sleep with her.
Thinking like that only perpetuates the closet mentality.
Posted by: jeff | Apr 15, 2008 12:18:07 PM
I doubt that Macfarlane will achieve "matinee idol" status regardless of sexual orientation. Some actors are great TV stars, and though they may make movies, not really candidates for "movie"star"dom.
Neil Patrick Harris is a HUGE tv star. He is clearly the go-to guy on his sitcom, and he was emmy nominated. He also plays a womanizer on the show, and he does so believably.
I don't think this will have much effect on Luke's career, but commend him for his bravery and eloquence in coming out. good stuff.
not to mention he is hot.
Posted by: Dan B | Apr 15, 2008 12:23:11 PM
ROCK ON LUKE!
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 15, 2008 12:45:00 PM
Out of thousands of actors, maybe about a dozen become superstars. So the likelihood of becoming the next Brad Pitt or George Clooney is very low anyway. If you have steady work, you're already considered a success.
Now, being openly gay might not help your chances for 400 million dollar box-office glory. But it certainly isn't the severe handicap these Hollywood agents make it out to be. Less than 1% of ***straight*** actors are going to reach superstar status. It's safe to say those pesky homosexual desires aren't the only factor working against you.
If your career consists of sit-coms, TV shows, and small budget movies...I'd guess the impact is minimal. And the growing number of moderately successful "out" TV personalities suggest I might be right.
Posted by: John | Apr 15, 2008 12:53:32 PM
"Matinee idols" don't have long shelf lives. And there's a very large question as to how viable they are today at all. Look at George Clooney. He's a star but the glow doesn't overwhelm to the point that "Michael Clayton" had the makings of a "blockbuster." It did OK. He does just fine. Cruise, meanwhile is on the ropes.
Luke McFarland is both talanted and babe-a-licious he'll do just fine.
As for Wenty. . . time will tell, as Joan Crawford would say.
Over and above all, DOOGIE RULES!!!!!
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Apr 15, 2008 12:56:51 PM
Macfarlane is so simultaneously sweet and sexy I could pour him on pancakes and have multiple orgasms! Bravo for him for choosing to come out—but that's only on the "personal level" as Derrick's observations are the most realistic. If he does desire a "leading man" career, it's very unlikely to happen.
Too many gay men who, somewhat by necessity, are accustomed to fantasizing about sex with Celebrity Fill In The Blank regardless of his alleged sexuality [and the fact that they're unlikely to ever be in the same room let alone the same bed with him] don't realize that the average straight girl/woman needs to believe their fantasy figure is straight, too.
Yes, Ian McKellen has continued to have a career since coming out but he was never a "leading man." Neil Patrick Harris wasn't either, and his success portraying a straight cad [with those straights who actually know he's out, a number that would be interesting to document] is in direct proportion to the fact that his show is broad comedy [no pun intended]. So soon some forget the latest Leno lunacy requesting Ryan Philippe's "gayest look."
As Anderson Cooper will probably still be in the "public closet" by that time, I'll still be railing against the silly cowardice of pretenders like him when I'm on my death bed. But actors/actresses with the potential as romantic leads are the one category a "take no prisoners" activist like myself is willing to let be.
In any case, we wish Luke love and success.
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Apr 15, 2008 1:09:15 PM
"not for nuttin'", but when you're seen squiring the latest H.W. gayboy around W.H.W. shopping malls wearing flip-flops and cargo pants... WE ALREADY KNOW YOU'RE SUCKING HIS DICK!
I'm getting tired of these announcements as if they meant anything.
Prcate Dumphy could'a come out a-long-time-ago. If it mattered to him.
Posted by: lexxicuss | Apr 15, 2008 1:39:40 PM
I only saw him once or twice on B&S and I thought he was gay from day one. Cute AND Canadian. Yay for him!
Posted by: Shabaka | Apr 15, 2008 1:57:18 PM
I understand what ALL of you are saying, and I don't think there is anything to argue about... so far. This is not 15 years ago. No one is demanding that public figures who are privately gay & who are NOT HOMOPHOBES, must "come out". It's just that everytime Hollywood actors portray gay characters, we commend on their courage, and everyone makes it a point of saying that these brave straight actors are STRAIGHT (over and over and over again). Well, some of them aren't straight, dammit! I'm just try to remind myself that even in 2008 there are still reasons why aspiring young gay actors don't come out the closet--and forgive them for it.
Recently, I saw a very good production, "The DL Chronicles". It was good because it was not a glorification of the "down low"--no, the directors (an openly gay couple) made it clear that personal happiness was dependent upon "coming out"--atleast to yourself if nobody else. Anyway, the actors were so gorgeous, but when I looked them up on MYSPACE--ALL of them listed "straight" as their orientation. (Many folks list "No Answer" as their sexual orientation on MYSPACE.) Oh, please! Aren't there any gorgeous actors who play "gay" who are gay? Aint really my business, is it?
Absolutely GOOD LUCK to Luke MacFarlane in his career and life...and income too.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 15, 2008 2:00:10 PM
Lexxicus,
You're so bitter.
Luke is one of the nicest guys. Never hid anything. Never denied anything. Hadn't really ever done any press so it was never something to 'make an announcement' about. He has been open all along.
To people like you, gay actors/musicians/whatever are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Just know that he is a great guy and didn't wait until he was 70 or 80 to write a book or make his announcement.
Posted by: to lexxicus | Apr 15, 2008 2:13:33 PM
Bravo Luke. The beauty of living life honestly will only enhance his good looks and talent.
Posted by: rudy | Apr 15, 2008 2:20:23 PM
Very brave.
He played love interest Scotty? My opinion of the show kinda went down when I found out they use focus groups each week to alter the plots--which explained all the sudden twists and turns that made no sense. Bringing back Scotty was one of them.
Posted by: anon | Apr 15, 2008 2:57:21 PM
Hooray for him.
But his character Scotty is fucking annoying.
Posted by: crispy | Apr 15, 2008 3:17:14 PM
Was there ever any doubt?
Posted by: Stephen | Apr 15, 2008 4:15:31 PM