My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
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| Cate Blanchett in the movie "Carol", Sean Penn in the movie "Milk", Eddie Redmayne in the movie "The Danish Girl" |
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of criticism about straight actors and actresses being cast in gay roles; claiming that those roles should go to gay actors and actresses.
Although this may surprise you, being that I'm gay and that I also used to be an actor, I disagree.
And for one very simple reason -- that's why they call it "acting."
Acting is all about not being yourself and being believable. If gay actors/actresses only played gay characters, and straight actors/actresses only played straight characters, then we would only be acting what we know. As an actor, I always took roles that challenged me to be something other than myself. If it scared me, I did it.
Quite frankly, I could care less if a straight actor is cast as a gay character. And my reason being is that with the exception of one role, I played all straight characters throughout my career. And never once did anyone say to me, "Your role should have gone to a straight actor."
Whether someone is straight or gay, the casting of a role should go to the best actor or actress.
Now, having said that, I do believe if an actor or actress is gay, they most certainly have the right to be gay and open about it if that's what they choose to do. But that is a completely different issue than gay actors and actresses being cast in gay roles.
I personally, have never been someone who felt the need to announce to people in my personal life or professional life that I'm gay because it's not a big deal to me. Besides, most people sense that I'm gay and they don't care. And that's because I don't care. Being gay is not the totality of who I am.
If anything, I get more of a negative attitude from other gay people than straight people, because I'm not out there marching the streets demanding that I be accepted for my sexual orientation; chanting, "I'm proud to be gay!"
And my feeling on that is this, if I accept myself, and mean truly accept myself, it doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks. If I had to wait for the world to accept and embrace me because I'm gay, I'd still be waiting.
You'd be surprised how learning to accept yourself changes how others look at you because of the "vibe" you give off. I've always been casual about my homosexuality; therefore, those around me feel it that way. Casual.
So no, I don't believe that gay roles should go to gay actors/actresses, nor should straight roles go to straight actors/actress.
May the best actor/actress win.
But since this post topic is about straight actors and actresses being cast in gay roles, I would like to highlight several of them in some of my favorite films.
Philadelphia (1993) Tom Hanks as lawyer Andrew Beckett (Hanks gives a powerful performance of a man dying of AIDS)
The Kids Are Alright (2010) Annette Bening and Julianne Moore (two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their biological father into their non-traditional family life).
Carol (2015) Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara (In the 1950's, an immediate connection sparks between two women, the innocence of their first encounter dims and their connection deepens).
Ideal Home (2018) Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan (this movie is both touching and beyond HILARIOUS)
Will and Grace (1998) Eric McCormack as Will (my all-time favorite sitcom)
I haven't seen this last film yet, but plan to soon. The trailer will move you to tears. Brilliant performances by two of my favorite actors.
Supernova (2021) Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth (partners of 20 years, they travel across England in their old RV visiting friends, family and places from their past. Since one of the men was diagnosed with early-onset dementia two years ago, their time together is the most important thing they have).
Have a grrrrreat rest of your week, everyone!
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