Mic in Elton John on How Beg Gay Affected His Life, Career - Variety

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• FOUR CLASSIC MOVIE ACTORS YOU DIDN'T KNOW WERE GAYA HOLLYWOOD HISTORY {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CELEBRIBY NEWNOWNEXT EDORSAUGT 24, 2017/8:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MGMBY NEWNOWNEXT EDORSAUGT 24, 2017 / 8:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"FOUR CLASSIC MOVIE ACTORS YOU DIDN'T KNOW WERE GAY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-08-24T12:00:59.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-08-24T12:00:59.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NEWNOWNEXT EDORS","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GAY PRI MONTH IS CELEBRATED NATNALLY JUNE, BUT YEAR-ROUND ’S IMPORTANT TO LET YOUNG LGBT PEOPLE, WHO MIGHT BE NFLICTED ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN, KNOW THAT WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND — EVEN THE BACKGROUND OF CLASSIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE ARE FOUR ACTORS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN WERE GAY WHO ARE WORTH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RICHARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RICHARD HAYDN WAS BORN GEE RICHARD HAYDN LONDON ON MARCH 10, 1905. AS A YOUNG MAN, HE WORKED AS A MIC HALL ENTERTAER AND MANAGED A BANANA PLANTATN JAMAI BEFORE JOG A TOURG BRISH THEATER TROUPE. HIS FIRST APPEARANCE ON FILM WAS THE TV MOVIE PRODUCTN OF RED PEPPERS 1938. HE MOVED TO AMERI AND FIRST APPEARED ON BROADWAY THE 1939 PRODUCTN OF SET TO MIC, AND FOLLOWED THAT UP WH TWO FOR THE SHOW 1940. HE MA THE FIRST OF HIS MORE THAN 50 FILMS 1941 – CHARLEY’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS BETTER KNOWN FILMS CLU BALL OF FIRE, DEAR RUTH, THE LATE GEE APLEY, FOREVER AMBER, STG PRETTY, THE EMPEROR WALTZ, ALICE WONRLAND, MISS PTATATLOCK’S MILLNS, THE MERRY WDOW, JUPER’S DARLG, THE LOST WORLD, PLEASE DON’T EAT THE DAISI, FIVE WEEKS A BALLOON, MUTY ON THE BOUNTY, CLARENCE THE CROSS EYED LN, THE ADVENTUR OF BULLWHIP GRIFF, AND YOUNG FRANKENSTE. HE IS PERHAPS BT KNOWN FOR THE PLAYG THE ROLE OF MAX DETWEILER THE CLASSIC FILM THE SOUND OF MIC.20TH CENTURY-FOX/GETTY IMAGELEANOR PARKER AND RICHARD HAYDN ARE GREETED BY CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER A SCENE OM THE FILM 'THE SOUND OF MIC', 1965. (PHOTO BY 20TH CENTURY-FOX/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS MANY TV APPEARANC CLU THE TWILIGHT ZONE, SHIRLEY TEMPLE’S STORYBOOK, BURKE’S LAW, THE MAN FROM UNCLE, BONANZA, BEWCHED AND MCCLOUD. HAYDN WAS ALSO A EQUENT PERFORMER ON RAD, AND A REGULAR ON THE BURNS AND ALLEN RAD SHOW. RICHARD HAYDN WAS GAY. HE LIVED A QUIET PERSONAL LIFE, AND WAS WELL-KNOWN HOLLYWOOD FOR HIS CHERISHED, AND LAVISH FLOWER GARNS WHICH HE TEND AT HIS BEVERLY HILLS HOME. HIS FAL ACTG ROLE WAS PROVIDG THE VOICE OF BOOKWORM THE 1985 FILM THE HUGGA BUNCH. HAYDN SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AT HIS HOME AND DIED LOS ANGEL ON APRIL 25, 1985. HE WAS 80 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VAN JOHNSONSILVER SCREEN COLLECTN/GETTY IMAGAMERIN ACTOR VAN JOHNSON (1916 - 2008) POSG ONT OF A TARTAN BACKGROUND, CIR 1955. (PHOTO BY SILVER SCREEN COLLECTN/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EMMY AWARD NOMATED SGER-DANCER-ACTOR VAN JOHNSON WAS BORN CHARL VAN DELL JOHNSON ON AUGT 25, 1916 NEWPORT, RHO ISLAND. HE WAS AN ONLY CHILD. HIS ALHOLIC MOTHER ABANDONED HIM WHEN HE WAS A CHILD. HE WAS RAISED BY HIS FATHER, WHO VAN SCRIBED AS “CHILLY.” AFTER GRADUATG OM HIGH SCHOOL, VAN MOVED TO NYC AND JOED THE OFF-BROADWAY REVUE, ENTRE NO 1935. HE TOURED A THEATER TROUPE AND MA HIS BROADWAY BUT NEW FAC OF 1936. IN 1939, HE APPEARED THE H BROADWAY MIL, TOO MANY GIRLS AND APPEARED THE FILM VERSN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE APPEARED THE BROADWAY MIL, PAL JOEY, 1940/41. HE WAS LURED BACK TO HOLLYWOOD BY HIS IEND, LUCILLE BALL, AND SIGNED A SIX-MONTH NTRACT WH WARNERS. HE MA SEVERAL FILMS THERE, BUT WASN’T UNTIL HE SIGNED WH MGM, THAT HE BEME A FULL FLEDGED SUPER STAR. WH HIS TALL, ALL-AMERIN GOOD LOOKS, VAN BEME ENORMOLY POPULAR WH THE FANS. HIS MOST POPULAR FILMS CLU THE HUMAN COMEDY, A GUY NAMED JOE (DURG THE MAKG OF THIS FILM HE WAS NEARLY KILLED A R ACCINT THAT LEFT HIM WH A METAL PLATE HIS FOREHEAD AND FACIAL SRS), TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR, THE WHE CLIFFS OF DOVER, THIRTY SENDS OVER TOKYO, TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY, EASY TO WED, MOTHER IS A FRHMAN, AND IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME, AMONG MANY OTHERS. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR LEADG MEN DURG THE WWII YEARS. HIS ACCINT PREVENTED HIM OM SERVG DURG THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1945, HE WAS RATED #2 BOX OFFICE STAR AMERI, AND 1946, HE WAS RATED #3. VAN JOHNSON WAS GAY. HE MARRIED EVE ABBOTT WYNN ON JANUARY 25, 1947, ONE DAY AFTER HER DIVORCE OM ACTOR KEENAN WYNN. THE THREE HAD BEEN VERY CLOSE IENDS. IN 1948, THE UPLE HAD A DGHTER NAMED SCHUYLER, BUT LAGE VAN MATAED A CLOSE RELATNSHIP WH KEENAN WYNN. VAN AND EVE SEPARATED 1961, AND DIVORCED 1968. EVE JOHNSON SAID THAT THEIR MARRIAGE HAD BEEN ENGEERED BY LOUIS B. MAYER AT MGM. “THEY NEED THEIR BIG STAR TO MARRIED TO QUELL MORS ABOUT HIS SEXUAL PREFERENC, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS — THE ONLY WOMAN HE WOULD MARRY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VAN WORKED STEADILY FILMS AND TV (PLAYG MORE THAN 125 ROL DURG HIS 52 YEAR REER). HE PERFORMED SUMMER STOCK AND REGNAL THEATER, AND NATNAL TOURS CLUDG THE MIL, SHOW BOAT. HE RETURNED TO BROADWAY FOR COME ON STRONG (1962), MATG DANCE (1965), AND 1986, THE MIL LA CAGE AUX FOLL, WHICH HE ALSO TOURED. VAN LIVED ON MANHATTAN’S EAST SI UNTIL 2002 WHEN HE MOVED TO AN ASSISTED RE FACILY NYACK, NEW YORK. VAN JOHNSON DIED ON DECEMBER 12, 2008 NYACK AT THE AGE OF 92. AT THIS TIME OF HIS ATH, HE WAS LONG TRANGED OM HIS ONLY CHILD. HE WAS LARGER THAN LIFE, UTTERLY CHARMG, HILAR, VERY FLIRTY, AND A TE MOVIE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN MEGNA WAS BORN JOHN INGOLIA ON NOVEMBER 9, 1952 QUEENS, NEW YORK CY. HIS FATHER WAS A PHARMACIST AND HIS MOTHER WAS A NIGHTCLUB SGER. HE WAS THE HALF BROTHER OF CONNIE STEVENS. JOHN MA HIS ACTG BUT 1958 ON BROADWAY THE MIL GREEENWILLOW. THE FOLLOWG YEAR HE STARRED ALL THE WAY HOME. HIS FIRST FEATURE FILM APPEARANCE WAS THE CLASSIC 1962 MOTN PICTURE TO KILL A MOCKGBIRD PLAYG THE ROLE OF THE “TOOTHY” SUMMER VISOR, DILL HARRIS.UNIVERSAL/GETTY IMAGROSEMARY MURPHY STG WH MARY BADHAM, PHILLIP ALFORD AND JOHN MEGNA A SCENE OM THE FILM 'TO KILL A MOCKGBIRD', 1962. (PHOTO BY UNIVERSAL/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS MANY TV APPEARANC CLU TARGET: THE CORPTORS, NAKED CY, THE ALED HCHCK HOUR, DR. KILDARE, BEN CASEY, STAR TREK, I SPY, THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR, THE BLUE KNIGHT, AND POLICE WOMAN. HE APPEARED THE PROVOTIVE MA-FOR-TV MOVI I WANT TO KEEP MY BABY, AND THE BOY THE PLASTIC BUBBLE. HE STARRED AS “LTLE ADAM” A SERI OF TNAL SHORT ANIMATED FILMS TLED THE BIG WORLD OF LTLE ADAM THAT WERE PRODUCED BY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN’S OTHER FILMS CLU HH…HH SWEET CHARLOTTE, BLD FOLD, FOLLOW THE BOYS, THE GODFATHER PART II, GO TELL THE SPARTANS, SUNNY SI, BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY DAYS, SMOKEY AND THE BAND II, AND THE CANNONBALL RUN. AS A YOUNG MAN, JOHN GRADUATED OM CORNELL UNIVERSY ITHA, NEW YORK. HE MAJORED PERFORMG ARTS. IN HIS LATER LIFE, HE TGHT ENGLISH, SPANISH AND HISTORY THE LOS ANGEL PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. HE WAS THE FOUNDG DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROF THEATER GROUP, L.A. ARTS. HIS FAL ACTG ROLE WAS THE 1984 TV MOVIE THE RATGS GAME. JOHN WAS GAY. HE NTRACTED HIV, AND DIED OF AIDS RELATED ILLNS ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1995 AT MIDWAY HOSPAL LOS ANGEL. MEGNA WAS 42 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON WALBROOKGENERAL FILM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON WALBROOK WAS BORN ADOLF ANTON WILHELM WOHLBCK VIENNA, ATRIA ON NOVEMBER 19, 1896. HE ME OM A FAY OF ENTERTAERS, CLUDG CIRC PERFORMERS. ANTON STUDIED WH MAX REHARDT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WORKED ATRIAN THEATER AND FILM. IN 1936, HE TRAVELED TO HOLLYWOOD TO RE-SHOOT SOME SCEN FOR THE 1937 FILM, THE SOLDIER AND THE LADY. ANTON WALBROOK WAS GAY. HE DID NOT RETURN TO ATRIA, BUT BEE HIS MOTHER WAS JEWISH, HE QUALIFIED FOR THE NUREMBERG LAWS AS “HALF-JEWISH,” AND HE WAS ALLOWED TO SETTLE ENGLAND WHERE HE LATER FED A SOLID FILM REER. HIS FIRST FILM WAS MARTEN 1915. HE MA 19 FILMS ATRIA AND GERMANY, BEFORE MAKG HIS TRANSN TO AMERIN AND BRISH FILMS.GENERAL FILM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS LATER FILMS CLU THE SOLDIER AND THE LADY, VICTORIA THE GREAT, GASLIGHT, DANGERO MOONLIGHT, 49TH PARALLEL, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP, THE MAN OM MOROC, THE QUEEN OF SPAS, LA RON, KG FOR ONE NIGHT, SAT JOAN, AND I ACCE!, AMONG OTHERS. HE IS BT KNOWN FOR PLAYG THE ROLE OF BORIS LEMONTOV THE 1948 DANCE CLASSIC THE RED SHO. IN THE LATE 1950S, HE RETIRED OM FILMS AND WORKED ON THE EUROPEAN STAGE AND TELEVISN. HIS FAL ACTG ROLE WAS THE GERMAN TV MOVIE, ROBERT UND ELISABETH 1966. ANTON WALBROOK DIED GARATSHSEN, BAVARIA, GERMANY ON AUGT 9, 1967 AFTER SUFFERG A HEART ATTACK. WALBROOK WAS 70 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A VERSN OF THIS ARTICLE ORIGALLY APPEARED ON WE ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• JOHN FULTON GAY
• ESTATE AGENT JAILED FOR VIC ATTACK ON TWO GAY MEN HOLDG HANDS

FOUR CLASSIC MOVIE ACTORS YOU DIDN'T KNOW WERE GAYA HOLLYWOOD HISTORY {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CELEBRIBY NEWNOWNEXT EDORSAUGT 24, 2017/8:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MGMBY NEWNOWNEXT EDORSAUGT 24, 2017 / 8:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"FOUR CLASSIC MOVIE ACTORS YOU DIDN'T KNOW WERE GAY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-08-24T12:00:59.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-08-24T12:00:59.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NEWNOWNEXT EDORS","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GAY PRI MONTH IS CELEBRATED NATNALLY JUNE, BUT YEAR-ROUND ’S IMPORTANT TO LET YOUNG LGBT PEOPLE, WHO MIGHT BE NFLICTED ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN, KNOW THAT WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND — EVEN THE BACKGROUND OF CLASSIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HERE ARE FOUR ACTORS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN WERE GAY WHO ARE WORTH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RICHARD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RICHARD HAYDN WAS BORN GEE RICHARD HAYDN LONDON ON MARCH 10, 1905. AS A YOUNG MAN, HE WORKED AS A MIC HALL ENTERTAER AND MANAGED A BANANA PLANTATN JAMAI BEFORE JOG A TOURG BRISH THEATER TROUPE. HIS FIRST APPEARANCE ON FILM WAS THE TV MOVIE PRODUCTN OF RED PEPPERS 1938. HE MOVED TO AMERI AND FIRST APPEARED ON BROADWAY THE 1939 PRODUCTN OF SET TO MIC, AND FOLLOWED THAT UP WH TWO FOR THE SHOW 1940. HE MA THE FIRST OF HIS MORE THAN 50 FILMS 1941 – CHARLEY’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS BETTER KNOWN FILMS CLU BALL OF FIRE, DEAR RUTH, THE LATE GEE APLEY, FOREVER AMBER, STG PRETTY, THE EMPEROR WALTZ, ALICE WONRLAND, MISS PTATATLOCK’S MILLNS, THE MERRY WDOW, JUPER’S DARLG, THE LOST WORLD, PLEASE DON’T EAT THE DAISI, FIVE WEEKS A BALLOON, MUTY ON THE BOUNTY, CLARENCE THE CROSS EYED LN, THE ADVENTUR OF BULLWHIP GRIFF, AND YOUNG FRANKENSTE. HE IS PERHAPS BT KNOWN FOR THE PLAYG THE ROLE OF MAX DETWEILER THE CLASSIC FILM THE SOUND OF MIC.20TH CENTURY-FOX/GETTY IMAGELEANOR PARKER AND RICHARD HAYDN ARE GREETED BY CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER A SCENE OM THE FILM 'THE SOUND OF MIC', 1965. (PHOTO BY 20TH CENTURY-FOX/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS MANY TV APPEARANC CLU THE TWILIGHT ZONE, SHIRLEY TEMPLE’S STORYBOOK, BURKE’S LAW, THE MAN FROM UNCLE, BONANZA, BEWCHED AND MCCLOUD. HAYDN WAS ALSO A EQUENT PERFORMER ON RAD, AND A REGULAR ON THE BURNS AND ALLEN RAD SHOW. RICHARD HAYDN WAS GAY. HE LIVED A QUIET PERSONAL LIFE, AND WAS WELL-KNOWN HOLLYWOOD FOR HIS CHERISHED, AND LAVISH FLOWER GARNS WHICH HE TEND AT HIS BEVERLY HILLS HOME. HIS FAL ACTG ROLE WAS PROVIDG THE VOICE OF BOOKWORM THE 1985 FILM THE HUGGA BUNCH. HAYDN SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AT HIS HOME AND DIED LOS ANGEL ON APRIL 25, 1985. HE WAS 80 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VAN JOHNSONSILVER SCREEN COLLECTN/GETTY IMAGAMERIN ACTOR VAN JOHNSON (1916 - 2008) POSG ONT OF A TARTAN BACKGROUND, CIR 1955. (PHOTO BY SILVER SCREEN COLLECTN/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EMMY AWARD NOMATED SGER-DANCER-ACTOR VAN JOHNSON WAS BORN CHARL VAN DELL JOHNSON ON AUGT 25, 1916 NEWPORT, RHO ISLAND. HE WAS AN ONLY CHILD. HIS ALHOLIC MOTHER ABANDONED HIM WHEN HE WAS A CHILD. HE WAS RAISED BY HIS FATHER, WHO VAN SCRIBED AS “CHILLY.” AFTER GRADUATG OM HIGH SCHOOL, VAN MOVED TO NYC AND JOED THE OFF-BROADWAY REVUE, ENTRE NO 1935. HE TOURED A THEATER TROUPE AND MA HIS BROADWAY BUT NEW FAC OF 1936. IN 1939, HE APPEARED THE H BROADWAY MIL, TOO MANY GIRLS AND APPEARED THE FILM VERSN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE APPEARED THE BROADWAY MIL, PAL JOEY, 1940/41. HE WAS LURED BACK TO HOLLYWOOD BY HIS IEND, LUCILLE BALL, AND SIGNED A SIX-MONTH NTRACT WH WARNERS. HE MA SEVERAL FILMS THERE, BUT WASN’T UNTIL HE SIGNED WH MGM, THAT HE BEME A FULL FLEDGED SUPER STAR. WH HIS TALL, ALL-AMERIN GOOD LOOKS, VAN BEME ENORMOLY POPULAR WH THE FANS. HIS MOST POPULAR FILMS CLU THE HUMAN COMEDY, A GUY NAMED JOE (DURG THE MAKG OF THIS FILM HE WAS NEARLY KILLED A R ACCINT THAT LEFT HIM WH A METAL PLATE HIS FOREHEAD AND FACIAL SRS), TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR, THE WHE CLIFFS OF DOVER, THIRTY SENDS OVER TOKYO, TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY, EASY TO WED, MOTHER IS A FRHMAN, AND IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME, AMONG MANY OTHERS. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR LEADG MEN DURG THE WWII YEARS. HIS ACCINT PREVENTED HIM OM SERVG DURG THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1945, HE WAS RATED #2 BOX OFFICE STAR AMERI, AND 1946, HE WAS RATED #3. VAN JOHNSON WAS GAY. HE MARRIED EVE ABBOTT WYNN ON JANUARY 25, 1947, ONE DAY AFTER HER DIVORCE OM ACTOR KEENAN WYNN. THE THREE HAD BEEN VERY CLOSE IENDS. IN 1948, THE UPLE HAD A DGHTER NAMED SCHUYLER, BUT LAGE VAN MATAED A CLOSE RELATNSHIP WH KEENAN WYNN. VAN AND EVE SEPARATED 1961, AND DIVORCED 1968. EVE JOHNSON SAID THAT THEIR MARRIAGE HAD BEEN ENGEERED BY LOUIS B. MAYER AT MGM. “THEY NEED THEIR BIG STAR TO MARRIED TO QUELL MORS ABOUT HIS SEXUAL PREFERENC, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS — THE ONLY WOMAN HE WOULD MARRY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VAN WORKED STEADILY FILMS AND TV (PLAYG MORE THAN 125 ROL DURG HIS 52 YEAR REER). HE PERFORMED SUMMER STOCK AND REGNAL THEATER, AND NATNAL TOURS CLUDG THE MIL, SHOW BOAT. HE RETURNED TO BROADWAY FOR COME ON STRONG (1962), MATG DANCE (1965), AND 1986, THE MIL LA CAGE AUX FOLL, WHICH HE ALSO TOURED. VAN LIVED ON MANHATTAN’S EAST SI UNTIL 2002 WHEN HE MOVED TO AN ASSISTED RE FACILY NYACK, NEW YORK. VAN JOHNSON DIED ON DECEMBER 12, 2008 NYACK AT THE AGE OF 92. AT THIS TIME OF HIS ATH, HE WAS LONG TRANGED OM HIS ONLY CHILD. HE WAS LARGER THAN LIFE, UTTERLY CHARMG, HILAR, VERY FLIRTY, AND A TE MOVIE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN MEGNA WAS BORN JOHN INGOLIA ON NOVEMBER 9, 1952 QUEENS, NEW YORK CY. HIS FATHER WAS A PHARMACIST AND HIS MOTHER WAS A NIGHTCLUB SGER. HE WAS THE HALF BROTHER OF CONNIE STEVENS. JOHN MA HIS ACTG BUT 1958 ON BROADWAY THE MIL GREEENWILLOW. THE FOLLOWG YEAR HE STARRED ALL THE WAY HOME. HIS FIRST FEATURE FILM APPEARANCE WAS THE CLASSIC 1962 MOTN PICTURE TO KILL A MOCKGBIRD PLAYG THE ROLE OF THE “TOOTHY” SUMMER VISOR, DILL HARRIS.UNIVERSAL/GETTY IMAGROSEMARY MURPHY STG WH MARY BADHAM, PHILLIP ALFORD AND JOHN MEGNA A SCENE OM THE FILM 'TO KILL A MOCKGBIRD', 1962. (PHOTO BY UNIVERSAL/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS MANY TV APPEARANC CLU TARGET: THE CORPTORS, NAKED CY, THE ALED HCHCK HOUR, DR. KILDARE, BEN CASEY, STAR TREK, I SPY, THE DANNY THOMAS HOUR, THE BLUE KNIGHT, AND POLICE WOMAN. HE APPEARED THE PROVOTIVE MA-FOR-TV MOVI I WANT TO KEEP MY BABY, AND THE BOY THE PLASTIC BUBBLE. HE STARRED AS “LTLE ADAM” A SERI OF TNAL SHORT ANIMATED FILMS TLED THE BIG WORLD OF LTLE ADAM THAT WERE PRODUCED BY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN’S OTHER FILMS CLU HH…HH SWEET CHARLOTTE, BLD FOLD, FOLLOW THE BOYS, THE GODFATHER PART II, GO TELL THE SPARTANS, SUNNY SI, BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY DAYS, SMOKEY AND THE BAND II, AND THE CANNONBALL RUN. AS A YOUNG MAN, JOHN GRADUATED OM CORNELL UNIVERSY ITHA, NEW YORK. HE MAJORED PERFORMG ARTS. IN HIS LATER LIFE, HE TGHT ENGLISH, SPANISH AND HISTORY THE LOS ANGEL PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. HE WAS THE FOUNDG DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROF THEATER GROUP, L.A. ARTS. HIS FAL ACTG ROLE WAS THE 1984 TV MOVIE THE RATGS GAME. JOHN WAS GAY. HE NTRACTED HIV, AND DIED OF AIDS RELATED ILLNS ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1995 AT MIDWAY HOSPAL LOS ANGEL. MEGNA WAS 42 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON WALBROOKGENERAL FILM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANTON WALBROOK WAS BORN ADOLF ANTON WILHELM WOHLBCK VIENNA, ATRIA ON NOVEMBER 19, 1896. HE ME OM A FAY OF ENTERTAERS, CLUDG CIRC PERFORMERS. ANTON STUDIED WH MAX REHARDT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WORKED ATRIAN THEATER AND FILM. IN 1936, HE TRAVELED TO HOLLYWOOD TO RE-SHOOT SOME SCEN FOR THE 1937 FILM, THE SOLDIER AND THE LADY. ANTON WALBROOK WAS GAY. HE DID NOT RETURN TO ATRIA, BUT BEE HIS MOTHER WAS JEWISH, HE QUALIFIED FOR THE NUREMBERG LAWS AS “HALF-JEWISH,” AND HE WAS ALLOWED TO SETTLE ENGLAND WHERE HE LATER FED A SOLID FILM REER. HIS FIRST FILM WAS MARTEN 1915. HE MA 19 FILMS ATRIA AND GERMANY, BEFORE MAKG HIS TRANSN TO AMERIN AND BRISH FILMS.GENERAL FILM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS LATER FILMS CLU THE SOLDIER AND THE LADY, VICTORIA THE GREAT, GASLIGHT, DANGERO MOONLIGHT, 49TH PARALLEL, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP, THE MAN OM MOROC, THE QUEEN OF SPAS, LA RON, KG FOR ONE NIGHT, SAT JOAN, AND I ACCE!, AMONG OTHERS. HE IS BT KNOWN FOR PLAYG THE ROLE OF BORIS LEMONTOV THE 1948 DANCE CLASSIC THE RED SHO. IN THE LATE 1950S, HE RETIRED OM FILMS AND WORKED ON THE EUROPEAN STAGE AND TELEVISN. HIS FAL ACTG ROLE WAS THE GERMAN TV MOVIE, ROBERT UND ELISABETH 1966. ANTON WALBROOK DIED GARATSHSEN, BAVARIA, GERMANY ON AUGT 9, 1967 AFTER SUFFERG A HEART ATTACK. WALBROOK WAS 70 YEARS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A VERSN OF THIS ARTICLE ORIGALLY APPEARED ON WE ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Gay Pri Month is celebrated natnally June, but year-round ’s important to let young LGBT people, who might be nflicted about their sexual orientatn, know that we’ve always been around — even the background of classic are four actors you might not have known were gay who are worth rememberg. Richard Haydn was gay. Van Johnson was gay.

John was gay. Anton Walbrook was gay.

AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe jtic nsired whether a cy may exclu a Catholic social servic agency om s foster re system bee ref to work wh gay Douliery/Getty ImagPublished Nov.

JOHN FULTON GAY

5, 2022Follow our live verage of the Supreme Court heargs that ps ee speech agast gay rights. Prompted by leadg qutns om several nservative jtic, she said no gay uple had ever applied to the agency.

From blackmail to fake marriag, Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson led strange double liv as '50s heartthrobs who were secretly gay.

ESTATE AGENT JAILED FOR VIC ATTACK ON TWO GAY MEN HOLDG HANDS

Later, when I went off to llege the San Francis Bay Area, I learned what "everyone" knew: Rock Hudson was not only gay, he was the basis for the closeted movie star who romanced one of the male characters Armistead Mp's serialized novel "Tal of the Cy. Unlike other gay performers, he wasn't a good enough actor to nvcgly simulate the lt for Doris Day that he never personally felt.

The most fascatg parts of both the books scribe what was like to be a proment gay man 1950s Hollywood.

The great nemis of gay Hollywood durg the '50s was Confintial magaze, a scurrilo sndal sheet that reported on pecdillo the mastream prs and fan magaz wouldn't touch. Hofler matas that 's mon knowledge that Willson ma this tra -- dirt on Calhoun and Hunter (who was picked up a raid on a gay party 1950) exchange for protectn for Rock Hudson.

"In 1957 the mastream media uldn't even e up wh aquate phemisms for homosexualy -- that's how taboo still was, " he wr. Ironilly, as Hofler pots out, "Tab's mise had ltle to do wh a gay arrt, which was pletely substantiated, and more to do wh the dog-beatg charge, which was pletely unfound. To the bter end, Gat ma the improbable claim that she went to not realizg that Hudson was gay, but for the rt of Hollywood the weddg had the oppose of the tend effect.

"Then people started talkg about [Rock's homosexualy]. "It put a seal of faly on , that was te: Henry was gay, Rock was gay, a number of his clients were gay.

When Ellen Man, the character Ellen DeGener played on her s Ellen, me out as gay on the show's April 30, 1997, episo, sent shockwav through the televisn dtry. Up to that pot, only a handful of gay characters had been seen on televisn, and none of the were seri leads. In addn to her character g out the episo, DeGener also publicly shared that she was gay.

The Tragedy Inspired DeGener' Career-Defg Stand-Up RouteAlmost a year of preparatn went to the episoPreparatns for the character of Ellen Man to e out as gay on the seri Ellen began May 1996, when DeGener, who played the role, discsed the potential storyle wh the show's wrers. In addn to beg a step that would let DeGener be hont about her own sexualy, there was hope that addrsg the fictnal Ellen's sexual preferenc might provi directn for the TV seri, and expla why the character lacked chemistry wh male romantic orr to bee the first TV seri to have a lead character announce she was gay, the work need to be agreement.

Reverend Jerry Falwell and televangelist Pat Robertson publicly mocked DeGener as "Ellen DeGenerate" and joed others signg a letter that cried the show as a "blatant attempt to promote homosexualy. Time magaze's April 14, 1997, ver featured a photo of DeGener wh the words, "Yep, I'm Gay.

" DeGener also talked about g out as gay wh Diane Sawyer and on The Oprah Wey Show.

A woman plaed about havg to expla what "gay" was to her ten-year-old when they spotted the Time ver while shoppg. One man told DeGener his objectns to homosexualy were Biblil, statg, "It's s. Ellen returned the next year ready to tell stori about a gay woman — but the show was forced to add parental advisory warngs when Ellen Man had a same-sex kiss.