24 Gay Actors Who Auditioned for Straight Roles and Nailed the Irony

The way we view actors and their personal lives has changed a lot. Many openly gay actors have brilliantly played straight characters, breaking down old stereotypes in the process. They demonstrate that great acting is about convincingly becoming someone else, no matter their sexual orientation. Often, audiences become invested in the love stories these actors portray, unaware of the interesting situation behind the casting. Here’s a look at some men who played straight roles so well, they won over audiences around the world.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris became hugely popular for his role as Barney Stinson on ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Barney was known for his love of suits and constantly trying to date women. For nine seasons, Harris skillfully made Barney’s often questionable behavior funny and endearing. Remarkably, Harris publicly came out as gay while the show was still running and continued to portray the womanizing character without missing a beat. He demonstrated that someone’s sexual orientation doesn’t affect their ability to convincingly play any role.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer became a fan favorite for his role as the charismatic and clever Neal Caffrey in the popular show ‘White Collar’. His character was known for being charming, especially with women, and often used his appeal to get what he wanted. Throughout the series, Bomer had strong on-screen connections with his female co-stars. For many years, he kept his personal life private before publicly sharing that he is married and has a family. His performance is often noted as a great example of a gay actor successfully playing a traditionally straight, sophisticated character.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons is celebrated for creating the unforgettable character of Sheldon Cooper in ‘The Big Bang Theory’. Initially portrayed as someone who didn’t experience sexual attraction, Sheldon eventually fell in love with and married neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler. Parsons skillfully showed Sheldon’s gradual emotional growth and transformation. Remarkably, Parsons was openly gay during the show’s most popular years, and this didn’t change how viewers saw his character. His performance won him four Emmy Awards and established him as a television icon.

Jonathan Groff

Jonathan Groff played the intense role of FBI Agent Holden Ford in the thriller ‘Mindhunter’. His character explores a complicated romance while also interviewing serial killers. Groff’s performance is reserved and traditionally masculine, a departure from his work in musical theater. He builds strong chemistry with his on-screen love interest, which is key to his character’s growth. Groff has been publicly open about being gay since the beginning of his Broadway career.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans is known for playing strong, masculine characters in popular action movies. He’s taken on roles like the villain Gaston in the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ where he desperately tries to win Belle’s affection. He’s also played iconic characters such as Dracula and a skilled warrior in ‘The Hobbit.’ Evans consistently brings a powerful and imposing presence to these traditionally dominant roles, and he’s good at keeping his personal life separate from the often-intense characters he plays.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto took on the iconic role of Spock in the new ‘Star Trek’ movies. His portrayal of the Vulcan character included a love story with Lieutenant Uhura, where he skillfully showed Spock’s logical side alongside his hidden feelings. Despite coming out as gay in 2011, Quinto continued to play a character who wasn’t openly gay in the later films. His performance was well-received by longtime fans and added a fresh romantic element to the ‘Star Trek’ universe.

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen is a legendary actor known for playing strong, traditionally masculine characters throughout his career. He’s famous for roles like Magneto in the ‘X-Men’ films, a complex character with a heartbreaking past, and the authoritative Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ a role that didn’t need romance to convey power. As an openly gay man, McKellen uses his prominence to champion LGBTQ+ rights, proving that strength and masculinity aren’t tied to someone’s sexual orientation.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller gained worldwide fame playing Michael Scofield in the hit series ‘Prison Break’. His character was motivated by his love for his brother and also developed a significant romantic relationship with Dr. Sara Tancredi. Viewers were captivated by the strong connection between Michael and Sara throughout several seasons of the show. Years after ‘Prison Break’ ended, Miller publicly came out and decided to stop taking on roles as straight characters. Despite this, his work on the series continues to demonstrate his talent for leading thrilling, action-packed dramas.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace became known for his charming role as Ned, a pie-maker, in the imaginative series ‘Pushing Daisies’. The show centered on the sweet, but ultimately unfulfilled, romance between Ned and his childhood friend, Chuck. Pace portrayed Ned with a gentle and appealing masculinity that made their longing for connection particularly moving. He’s also known for playing the elegant elf king Thranduil in ‘The Hobbit’ and the villain Ronan in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. Later in his career, Pace publicly shared that he is queer, after establishing himself playing mostly heterosexual characters.

David Hyde Pierce

David Hyde Pierce is best known for playing Niles Crane on the TV show ‘Frasier’ for eleven seasons. His character was famous for being a bit of a perfectionist and for secretly being in love with the housekeeper, Daphne Moon. Pierce was brilliant at using physical comedy and subtle expressions to show Niles’ feelings, making their eventual relationship feel earned. Interestingly, he married his husband shortly before same-sex marriage was banned in California, yet continued to play the straight character of Niles until the show ended. Many consider his performance to be among the greatest in sitcom history.

Victor Garber

Victor Garber is known for playing strong, serious characters like Jack Bristow, the spy in ‘Alias’. Bristow was a dedicated father and husband, and Garber’s performance brought a sense of realism to the show’s over-the-top action. Interestingly, Garber has been in a long-term relationship himself, yet frequently plays characters who are strict and in control, such as his memorable role as Thomas Andrews in ‘Titanic’. He consistently demonstrates his ability to portray a wide range of dramatic roles.

George Takei

George Takei is a beloved science fiction icon, famous for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original ‘Star Trek.’ Sulu was a charming and capable helmsman who later became a father in the ‘Star Trek’ movies. Takei kept his personal life private for a long time, fearing it could harm his career when societal acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals was limited. Now, he’s a well-known activist, and he proudly acknowledges the importance of his character’s enduring popularity, even as a straight role. His distinctive voice and strong stage presence made him a believable and respected officer aboard the Enterprise.

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson perfectly embodied the classic Hollywood leading man during the Golden Age. He was known for lighthearted romantic comedies, like ‘Pillow Talk,’ where he played appealing characters who pursued actresses like Doris Day. Studio executives carefully crafted a public image of him as a straight man to preserve his status as a popular romantic figure. The contrast between this carefully constructed persona and his private life as a gay man is a moving part of Hollywood’s story. Sadly, Hudson later became a public face of the AIDS epidemic.

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain captivated audiences as Father Ralph, the romantic lead in the popular miniseries ‘The Thorn Birds.’ His on-screen connection with Rachel Ward became iconic. Throughout his career, Chamberlain often played charming characters that women loved. However, he kept his personal life private for many years, fearing it would harm his career as a romantic leading man. He later shared his experiences in a memoir, detailing the difficulty of concealing his true identity while portraying these beloved roles.

Tab Hunter

Tab Hunter became a star thanks to the old Hollywood studio system, which presented him as the perfect, approachable guy. To boost his public profile, he publicly dated famous actresses while appearing in popular films like ‘Damn Yankees’ and ‘Battle Cry’. He excelled at playing the handsome, athletic, and heroic characters that audiences loved. However, this wholesome image hid his private life and the reality of his relationships within Hollywood’s secretive circles. Years later, he openly addressed rumors about his sexuality in a documentary about his life.

Colton Haynes

As a big fan of ‘Arrow’, I always loved Colton Haynes as Roy Harper. He really nailed that street-smart, slightly troubled archer vibe. Plus, his romance with Thea Queen was such a rollercoaster – you were always rooting for them, even when things got messy. He totally fit the CW’s mold of the brooding, handsome bad boy. It was also really powerful to learn about his own personal journey with anxiety and coming out – it made his portrayal of a tough character with a vulnerable side even more convincing. He made you believe he could be a vigilante and genuinely care for Thea.

BD Wong

BD Wong is a veteran actor who has often portrayed successful, straight professionals on screen. Many viewers recognize him as Dr. George Huang from ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ where he was known for offering helpful psychological perspectives and earning the respect of his colleagues. He’s also famous for playing Dr. Wu in the ‘Jurassic Park’ films. Wong himself is openly gay and actively supports LGBTQ+ parenting rights.

John Barrowman

John Barrowman portrayed the villain Malcolm Merlyn across several DC superhero shows. Merlyn was a man consumed by grief after losing his wife, and this drove him to try and destroy a neighborhood called the Glades. Barrowman brought a fierce and unsettling energy to the role, showing Merlyn as both cruel and strangely devoted to his children. Though Barrowman is famous for his outgoing personality, he completely transformed for this dark and tragic character, especially considering his other well-known role, Captain Jack Harkness, is openly attracted to all genders while Merlyn was exclusively heterosexual.

Dan Butler

Dan Butler is well-known for his role as Bob “Bulldog” Briscoe, the loud and overly confident sports radio host on ‘Frasier’. Bulldog was a boastful character who frequently talked about his romantic exploits. Interestingly, while playing this role, Butler also created and performed a one-man show about his experiences as a gay man. This created a striking contrast between the actor’s personal life and the aggressively masculine character he portrayed on television, and he expertly captured the humor in playing such a role.

Matt Dallas

Matt Dallas became known for playing the lead role in the sci-fi series ‘Kyle XY’. A central part of the show was the heartwarming romance between his character, Kyle, and his neighbor, Amanda, which particularly resonated with teen viewers. Years after the series ended, Dallas announced he was engaged to a man. He effectively captured the feelings of a young person experiencing first love throughout the show.

Cheyenne Jackson

Cheyenne Jackson is known for playing Danny Baker, a charming actor on the comedy series ’30 Rock’. His character was introduced as a new leading man and romantic interest on the show-within-a-show. Jackson brought a likable, innocent quality to the role, especially appealing to the female writers. He’s also taken on several roles in the ‘American Horror Story’ series. In his personal life, Jackson is a father to twins with his husband.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott gained widespread fame playing the charismatic “Hot Priest” in season two of ‘Fleabag’. His character had a powerful and unconventional romantic connection with the main character. Scott’s performance was lauded for its honesty and the strong emotional pull between the two characters, as he portrayed a man struggling between his religious faith and his feelings for another person. Scott, who is gay, has discussed the value of actors taking on diverse roles.

Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw played the poet John Keats in the movie ‘Bright Star,’ which tells the story of his intense and heartbreaking romance with Fanny Brawne. Whishaw beautifully captured Keats’s sensitive and passionate nature. Despite entering a civil partnership with his husband in 2012, he continues to take on roles portraying straight characters, and his ability to convincingly portray heterosexual desire is a hallmark of his work.

Kal Penn

Kal Penn first became famous for his role as Kumar Patel in the ‘Harold & Kumar’ movies. Kumar is a smart but unmotivated student hoping to get into medical school who is always looking for romance. The character’s wild adventures, involving both relationships and drugs, were central to the series’ humor. Later in his career, Penn publicly came out and announced his engagement to a man. For years, he convincingly played the part of a carefree womanizer, making audiences believe the character’s persona.

2025-12-04 06:49