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 06 July 2008 14:33 BST

Gay actors kept in closet by media, says Alan Cumming

Friday, 02 May 2008 12:37
Alan Cumming: media's views of homosexuality harm many gay actors
Alan Cumming believes the media's anachronistic views of homosexuality mean many gay actors are reluctant to admit their sexuality.

The X-Men 2 star has argued that a number of actors in Hollywood were unlikely to reveal their homosexuality due to the media's treatment of the issue.

Talking to the BBC, the 43-year-old said: "I don't think the people that go see films care that much - the media make it more of a deal and it's made into controversy."

He added: "There is a lot of homophobia in the world - but in Hollywood definitely."

Cumming's comments followed a complaint from Stephen Fry that he had been pigeonholed by casting directors since coming out.

And Torchwood star John Barrowman has said it is "just sad" that some actors lie about their sexuality so as to protect their chances of securing work.

But Cumming, speaking ahead of the launch of new TV series Tin Man, a revamp of The Wizard of Oz, denied that pigeonholing was a fact of life for gay actors.

"Some of them do, but lots of straight actors get pigeonholed in various roles," he said.

"I'm quite outspoken in the media about what I perceive as a civil-rights struggle that gay people in America are still going through.

"But I don't think that I only play gay characters, or I wouldn't be as convincing if I had a wife or a girlfriend in a movie."

Cumming's remarks are at odds with those of fellow actor Rupert Everett who claimed last year that Hollywood was "like al-Qaida".

"After a certain age you can be gay. Before that it's not only not good, it's impossible," he told the Times newspaper.

"Hollywood is a place that pretends it's very liberal but it's not remotely."

Everett had said in his autobiography Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins that he had been told by the head of MGM studios that he was turned down to play the romantic lead for Sharon Stone in a film because "to all intents and purposes a homosexual was a pervert in the eyes of America and the world would never accept me in the role and therefore MGM would never hire me".End of story


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