Gay Celebrities Who Disappeared from the Spotlight After Coming Out

Several popular male actors have chosen to move away from prominent roles in film and television after publicly coming out. They’ve often transitioned to areas like theater, writing, producing, or advocacy, generally maintaining a lower public profile in mainstream entertainment. Here are some examples of actors who made this shift, and what they’ve been doing since.

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett revealed he was gay in the late 1980s, after gaining recognition in films like ‘Another Country’ and ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Afterwards, he discussed how coming out affected his career, leading to fewer leading roles and a greater focus on theater work in the UK. He also became a writer, sharing his experiences in the entertainment industry through memoirs and essays. While he continued to act, he largely chose projects outside of mainstream Hollywood.

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain, famous for his roles in shows like ‘Dr. Kildare’ and ‘The Thorn Birds’, publicly came out as gay in his memoir after many years as a well-known actor. After that, he appeared in films and on TV less often, choosing to focus more on theater, especially local stage productions. He spent a lot of time living in Hawaii and generally kept a low profile. In the later part of his career, he focused on smaller roles, concerts, and speaking engagements instead of seeking major Hollywood work.

Tab Hunter

Tab Hunter revealed his personal story in a memoir that looked back on his time as a popular movie star in films like ‘Damn Yankees’. He had already moved away from big-budget movies before the book came out, and afterwards, he preferred a more private life with only occasional acting roles. He also helped create the documentary ‘Tab Hunter Confidential’, which introduced his life story to a new generation. In the later part of his career, he focused more on interviews and historical film projects than on returning to mainstream acting.

T.R. Knight

T.R. Knight publicly came out as gay while starring in ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and shortly after, left the show following some well-publicized conflicts with colleagues. He then focused on theater, performing on Broadway and in smaller productions, with only occasional TV appearances. He became much more selective about his on-screen work, mainly taking on guest roles or short-term parts, and generally moved away from the intense attention of Hollywood.

Peter Paige

Peter Paige first gained recognition as an actor on ‘Queer as Folk,’ but he transitioned to working behind the scenes early in his career. He went on to co-create and produce popular shows like ‘The Fosters’ and ‘Good Trouble,’ focusing primarily on writing, producing, and directing. This shift meant he appeared on screen less often, but he continued to have a significant impact on television, primarily through developing shows and overseeing their production.

David Yost

David Yost, best known for playing a Power Ranger, left the show after experiencing harassment and later shared publicly that he was gay. He then transitioned to working as a producer behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, choosing to stay out of the spotlight. He occasionally attended fan conventions and gave interviews, keeping his connection with fans alive, but his rare acting appearances were always special occasions, not a return to a full-time acting career.

Thomas Dekker

Thomas Dekker was publicly revealed as gay and subsequently became open about his sexuality and life in the entertainment industry. While he initially gained recognition in shows like ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’, his on-screen roles became less frequent. He shifted his focus to independent films, writing, and music, stepping away from mainstream television and movie production. Since then, his work has been infrequent and largely independent of Hollywood’s major studios.

Chris Colfer

While starring in ‘Glee’, Chris Colfer publicly shared he was gay and then expanded his career beyond acting. He focused on writing, creating a popular series of children’s books and began touring as an author. Though he continued to appear in films and on television, writing and live appearances became his main priorities. He remained a public figure, but his work shifted away from being primarily focused on Hollywood acting.

Robert Gant

Robert Gant, famous for his role in ‘Queer as Folk’, publicly came out as gay while the show was airing. After that, he combined acting in smaller roles with work as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and health. He contributed to these causes by serving on boards and speaking at public events. While he continued to act occasionally, taking on guest spots and roles in TV movies, his focus increasingly shifted towards community involvement and specific creative projects, rather than major film and television work.

Jordan Gavaris

After gaining recognition on ‘Orphan Black’, Jordan Gavaris openly shared that he is gay. He then took a break from acting for a while before returning with smaller, more specialized television projects. This meant he appeared on screen much less frequently than he had during the height of his popularity.

Wentworth Miller

After gaining fame on ‘Prison Break’, Wentworth Miller publicly shared that he is gay and later explained why he stopped taking on roles as traditionally heterosexual romantic leads. He then focused on writing, contributing to projects like ‘Stoker’, and dedicated himself to advocating for mental health awareness and fighting homophobia. While he still occasionally appeared on screen in shorter, limited-run series, most of his energy shifted towards creative work and activism outside of mainstream Hollywood.

Tommy Kirk

Tommy Kirk, known for his roles in classic Disney films like ‘Old Yeller’ and ‘The Shaggy Dog’, faced setbacks in his career after his personal life became public. This led to fewer offers from major studios. He transitioned to local theater and worked various jobs outside the entertainment industry, mostly stepping away from mainstream filmmaking. While he occasionally appeared in smaller, low-budget films, he generally avoided the traditional Hollywood scene. In his later years, he prioritized his privacy and lived a quiet life away from the public eye.

Chad Allen

Chad Allen, known for his roles as a child and teenager in shows like ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,’ eventually came out as gay and later decided to leave acting. He went back to school to study psychology and began a new career in that field. He also did some work with activist organizations and produced a few independent films before fully stepping away from the entertainment industry, signaling a deliberate end to his time as a regular actor in Hollywood.

Randy Harrison

I’ve always been a fan of Randy Harrison, especially from ‘Queer as Folk’. What I admire is that after that show, he didn’t really try to stay constantly in the spotlight. Instead, he focused on doing a lot of theater – building up a really solid stage career with shows all over the place and in New York. He seemed to intentionally choose projects carefully, so he didn’t appear on screen much, but when he did, it felt meaningful. It’s clear he prioritized being a live performer over becoming a big Hollywood star, and I really respect that.

Garrett Clayton

After publicly coming out, Garrett Clayton began focusing on smaller, independent films, stage performances, and online projects. He prioritized live theater and creating digital content over appearing in major studio films, leading to a less visible presence in mainstream Hollywood. He now concentrates on unique productions and touring shows.

Jay Brannan

Jay Brannan first became known as an actor in the film ‘Shortbus,’ but he later decided to focus on a music career after publicly coming out. He shifted his energy to writing songs, making albums, and performing around the world, stepping away from acting. While he did some film and TV work initially, he primarily built a following as a singer, and his career moved away from Hollywood.

Jason Gould

Jason Gould, known for his role in ‘The Prince of Tides’, eventually shifted his focus to music and creative work done behind the camera. He continued to record music and perform, but rarely appeared on screen. He intentionally chose to work on projects independently, outside of the traditional studio system, and primarily concentrated on releasing albums and collaborating on select projects.

Eric Millegan

While acting on the show ‘Bones,’ Eric Millegan publicly came out as gay. Afterwards, he decided to move away from full-time television work, choosing instead to focus on concerts and personal creative projects. This led to him taking on occasional acting roles rather than being a regular on a series, which significantly decreased his visibility in mainstream Hollywood.

Kristian Nairn

After becoming well-known for his role in ‘Game of Thrones’, Kristian Nairn openly shared that he is gay. He then focused on building a successful career as a DJ, releasing music and performing at clubs around the world. While he occasionally acted, his priority shifted to music and live performances, leading him away from a typical Hollywood acting career.

Rick Cosnett

Rick Cosnett publicly shared his identity and then intentionally scaled back his on-screen work, choosing smaller roles and occasional returns to shows like ‘The Flash’. He prioritized independent projects and developing his own creative ideas over major studio films or television. He also frequently appeared at events supporting causes he believed in and engaging with his community. As a result, he had fewer prominent roles in Hollywood.

Kevin McHale

After publicly coming out following his time on ‘Glee’, Kevin McHale focused on a new career path centered around music, podcasting, and hosting. He began prioritizing projects involving recording and performing live, rather than seeking roles on traditional TV networks. While he still acted occasionally, he increasingly focused on creative collaborations and digital media, moving away from the typical Hollywood casting process.

Let us know in the comments who else you think should be on this list, and tell us which stories were the most unexpected!

2025-10-31 15:16