• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

A Close-Up on Glenn Close, Back on ‘Sunset Boulevard’ as Iconic Diva Norma Desmond

Towleroad February 10, 2017

Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard Broadway

When Glenn Close portrayed Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway in 1994, The New York Times proclaimed her portrayal of the aging starlet as “one of those legendary performances people will be talking about years from now.” Now, after a successful run in London, Close returns to Broadway in the role that earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1995.

Close will star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, now playing at the Palace Theatre.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link

Over the course of her storied career, Close has garnered widespread acclaim for her roles on stage and screen. She's also earned legions of LGBT fans for her classic (and sometimes campy) roles.

300x250_BackUp (1)

In anticipation of what is sure to be another legendary run on Broadway, let's take a look back at the roles that have shaped Close's career as she steps into the role of Norma Desmond once again.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link

It's hard to believe by the time Close made her star-making turn in Fatal Attraction, she had already been nominated for three Academy Awards (for The World According to Garp, The Big Chill and The Natural). As Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, Close became an icon, delivering the definitive portrayal of obsession. It's hard not to see shades of Alex in Norma's desperation to keep Joe in her home and working on her script for Salome.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link

One of Close's greatest strengths is her ability to empathize with the characters she's portraying. She won her first Emmy Award for portraying lesbian National Guard colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer in Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story in 1995.

“We all went through the AIDS scourge, I've lost many friends, and I've always been highly sympathetic to the plights of gays, what they've had to deal with,” Close told The Daily Beast in 2010. “But the scene at the end, although I was very open-minded and supportive, when Judy Davis and I had to kiss at the end, I really felt that for 30 seconds, maybe a minute, what it really, really felt like to be attracted to my own gender. It was kind of revelatory for me, a real frisson moment. I'll never forget it.”

video
play-rounded-fill
Link

For further proof Close can pull off being deranged and glamorous, look no further than her unhinged portrayal of the classic villainess Cruella DeVille. In 101 Dalmatians, Close transformed a children's movie antagonist into an twisted fashion icon that would make Miranda Priestly shake in her stilettos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SURwkwQLHcM

One of Close's most enduring roles was as Patty Hewes on Damages, winning her two consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. According to Close, it would be her last regular role on television, though she would consider a miniseries or guest spot. Check out some of Close's most cutting scenes as Patty above, and imagine her barking “I am big!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5b4c5x0SIk

In 2011, Close was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in Albert Nobbs. Close also produced and co-wrote the film which tells the tale of a woman in 1800s Ireland living as a man. “I know that it does matter, but in some ways, if you look at it from some angles, gender should be irrelevant,” she told PrideSource in 2012. “People should be able to love whoever they have that safety and connection with. That's a basic human need. And that's what Albert takes on.” Shades of Albert's sadness and longing are the kind subtle humanity Close brings to a part like Norma Desmond.

Get your tickets to see Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard at the Palace Theatre here.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link

Topics: Health, Music, Theater, towleroad More Posts About: AIDS, broadway, Entertainment, Glenn Close, movies

Related Posts
  • Federal judge dismisses Disney’s lawsuit against DeSantis
  • Studio 54 owner Mark Fleischman dies by assisted suicide at Dignitas, says his business partner
  • Govt’s Halting Response In Ramping Monkeypox Tests, Vaccines May Have Missed Chance to Contain Outbreak Over Last 30 Days.
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Donald Trump Blasts 9th Circuit While Watching ‘Morning Joe’, Citing Article That Supports Ruling
Next Post: Betsy DeVos Blocked from Entering DC School, Shamed by Protesters: WATCH »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • OMG, new music! Macy Rodman serves us up a helping of psychosexual techno-thriller with ‘TSPG69’ video
    Charlize could NEVAH! Check out NYC punk multi-hyphenate, MACY RODMAN, with […]
  • OMG, he’s naked: Brent Bentley goes full-frontal and rear in ‘Haunt Season’
    Actor Brent Bentley clowns around and stands around fully naked in […]
  • Winner's Circle: Homo Edition
    Here's a little afternoon fun from my favorite game show as […]
  • Two Things: Jeff Stryker and Tig Notaro
     Which seems more likely?!!See all previous Two Things posts HERE.
  • OMG, WATCH: Ziwe sits down with Lizzo
    Is Ziwe the our Barbara Walters of today? Maybe. Check out […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×