30 Actors Who Say Playing Straight Is Now the Real “Challenge”

In recent years, Hollywood has been changing how it casts actors and represents different groups. While there’s been a lot of discussion about straight actors playing LGBTQ+ characters, it’s also worth considering the challenges faced by openly gay and queer actors. They often need to play characters of all types, regardless of sexual orientation, as that’s simply part of being an actor. Despite this, these performers consistently land a variety of roles, proving that their personal lives don’t restrict their ability to convincingly portray diverse characters.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris is well-known for playing Barney Stinson, a charming and notorious flirt, on the TV show ‘How I Met Your Mother’ for nine seasons. Interestingly, he publicly shared that he is gay early in the show’s run, yet continued to brilliantly portray a character known for his pursuit of women. Harris has often said he likes being able to completely separate himself from the roles he plays, believing an actor’s job is to convincingly portray any character, not just themselves.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer became well-known for his role as the charismatic and sophisticated Neal Caffrey on the popular TV show ‘White Collar’. Although he publicly came out as gay in 2012, he continued to convincingly portray romantic interests, a skill that became a hallmark of his work. Bomer has explained that acting involves creating a believable performance and tapping into genuine emotion. He consistently takes on diverse roles, demonstrating that gay actors can successfully play romantic leads.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans has become a prominent action movie star, known for his roles in films like ‘Fast & Furious 6’ and ‘The Hobbit’ series. He’s skilled at playing tough, masculine characters, and he’s also openly gay, which is notable in the traditionally hyper-masculine action genre. Evans believes his personal life shouldn’t affect how audiences see his characters or the stories he’s part of. His success demonstrates that being gay isn’t an obstacle to becoming a leading man in big-budget action films.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is known for being a remarkably adaptable actress, having played many heterosexual characters during her time on ‘American Horror Story’. She believes that understanding a character’s emotions and humanity is more important than their sexual orientation when she chooses roles. Paulson focuses on building the inner life of her characters, letting that guide her performance, and consistently shows that strong acting skills are what truly make a portrayal believable.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto became well-known for playing the villain Sylar on ‘Heroes’ and later for his role as Spock in the new ‘Star Trek’ movies. He publicly came out as gay in 2011, and has continued to take on roles as heterosexual characters in film and television. Quinto is a strong voice for greater representation of LGBTQ+ actors in the industry, while also demonstrating his versatility as an actor. He dedicates the same level of effort and skill to all his roles, regardless of the character’s sexuality.

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen is a highly celebrated actor, famous for roles like Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ He’s been openly gay for many years and has skillfully played a wide range of characters, including both straight and magical figures. McKellen believes acting is all about using your imagination to become someone else, and his successful career provides a great example for aspiring actors.

Jonathan Groff

Jonathan Groff played Holden Ford, a straight FBI agent, in the suspenseful series ‘Mindhunter’. Critics loved his powerful performance and the complicated connection his character shared with a coworker. Groff has said he finds it rewarding to portray characters whose perspectives are different from his own. He continues to work in both theater and television, taking on roles that explore all sides of human relationships and sexuality.

Andrew Scott

As a total film and TV buff, I was completely captivated by Andrew Scott’s performance as the ‘Hot Priest’ in ‘Fleabag’ – the chemistry between him and Phoebe Waller-Bridge was just electric! It’s fascinating to hear him talk about that, though, because he thinks that kind of connection isn’t about finding someone you naturally click with, but about being a really good actor and creating that spark. He’s not interested in being typecast either, and actively looks for roles with layers and interesting psychology, no matter who his character happens to be falling for – which I really admire.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon is well-known for playing Miranda Hobbes, a successful lawyer, on ‘Sex and the City.’ While initially portraying Miranda as straight, Nixon later publicly identified as queer and became a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights. Throughout her acting career, she’s consistently focused on understanding the inner life of her characters, allowing her to effortlessly portray both straight and queer roles.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons is famous for his role as Sheldon Cooper on ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ a character he played for twelve seasons and through several romantic relationships. Parsons believes his sexuality is only one aspect of his identity and doesn’t limit the types of roles he can play. He’s now taking on a wider range of characters, allowing him to explore the complexities of human experience.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has been a well-known and respected actress since she was a child, starring in many films, including the acclaimed ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. She spoke openly about her sexuality later in her career, during an awards acceptance speech. Foster is known for letting her work define her, and she consistently portrays characters with both strength and emotional depth. She’s built a lasting reputation through her exceptional talent and ability to captivate audiences in all kinds of movies.

Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey is a versatile actor who has often played straight characters, such as Harry Doyle in the series ‘Quantico’. He believes actors should be able to convincingly portray any role a script demands. Tovey loves the challenge of becoming different characters and feels that the quality of the writing is more important than whether a role is gay or straight. He continues to work consistently on both sides of the Atlantic, taking on a wide range of parts.

Victor Garber

As a film buff, I’ve always admired Victor Garber. He’s one of those actors who just feels like a solid, dependable presence – you probably recognize him as the dad figure in things like ‘Alias’ or even from ‘Titanic’. It was really great to see him publicly share about his sexuality later in life, and it’s amazing that it didn’t impact his career at all. He just has this incredible ability to bring both weight and warmth to every role, making him completely believable as a family patriarch or any other character. Honestly, he’s a consistently working actor, and it’s fantastic to see him still landing roles in both film and TV – a truly respected figure in the industry.

Ben Whishaw

I’ve always been impressed with Ben Whishaw’s take on Q in the recent Bond films. He’s brought a really smart, capable energy to the role – it’s a Q who’s all about brains and technical skill, and thankfully, not about romantic entanglements. What I find particularly interesting is Whishaw himself is quite private. He intentionally keeps his personal life under wraps, and I totally get why. He feels, and I agree, that the less the audience knows about him, the easier it is to lose yourself in the characters he plays. It really helps maintain that essential movie magic.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is a talented comedic actress, best known for her role as Sue Sylvester on ‘Glee’. She’s openly lesbian and doesn’t limit herself to roles based on stereotypes. Lynch is known for bringing a fresh, detailed approach to every character she plays, focusing on their individual personality and what drives them. Interestingly, her career includes many roles as mothers and wives.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is a talented and engaging actor, well-known for his role as Eli Gold, a complex political strategist, on the show ‘The Good Wife’. While playing a seemingly conventional, straight character with a traditional family, Cumming himself identifies as bisexual and believes acting should embrace change and versatility. He consistently brings a captivating presence to every role he plays, no matter the character’s sexuality.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi became well-known for her roles as Nelle Porter on ‘Ally McBeal’ and Lindsay Bluth Fünke on ‘Arrested Development’. She brought a unique comedic style to these characters, often focusing on their self-image and relationships. Though she later stopped acting, her work continues to showcase her talent. For many years, she played primarily straight characters before publicly coming out and marrying her wife.

Denis O’Hare

Denis O’Hare is a versatile character actor, well-known for his roles in shows like ‘True Blood’ and ‘American Horror Story’. He excels at transforming himself into complex characters, often portraying villains or those with questionable morals. O’Hare is dedicated to both the script and the director’s vision, demonstrating that character actors can have lasting careers playing a wide range of roles – from everyday people to frightening monsters – without being limited to a single type of character.

John Barrowman

I recently caught up with John Barrowman’s work, and it’s fascinating to see his range. Everyone knows and loves him as the charming, pansexual Captain Jack Harkness, but his turn as Malcolm Merlyn in ‘Arrow’ was a completely different beast – a stern, vengeful father figure. What strikes me about Barrowman is how much of a performer he is. He truly believes entertainment is about connecting with the audience and making them believe in the character, whatever that takes. He’s incredibly skilled at separating his own vibrant, outgoing personality from the often darker, more complex characters he portrays on screen.

Cheyenne Jackson

Cheyenne Jackson is known for roles in shows like ’30 Rock’ and ‘American Horror Story,’ often playing characters who are either straight or whose sexuality is unclear. He has the traditional good looks of a leading man, making him a natural fit for romantic roles. Jackson connects with the human side of every character he plays, finding relatable qualities in them. As an openly gay actor who embodies the classic heartthrob image, he’s also pushing boundaries in the entertainment industry.

Colton Haynes

Colton Haynes is known for playing Roy Harper on ‘Arrow’ and a werewolf on ‘Teen Wolf’. Early in his career, he felt pressured to hide his sexuality to maintain his popularity as a teen idol. After coming out, Haynes discussed the negative impact this had on his mental health. Now, he approaches his work with more freedom, even while still taking on roles that require him to portray straight characters.

Guillermo Díaz

Guillermo Díaz is widely recognized for his role as Huck in the TV drama ‘Scandal’. His character was known for a deeply troubled and complicated love life. Díaz, who is openly gay, often draws on feelings of heartbreak and affection to bring authenticity to his performances. He’s skilled at creating relatable characters, making viewers empathize with him even when his character does questionable things.

T. R. Knight

T.R. Knight became well-known for his role as Dr. George O’Malley on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ where he was a key part of the show’s romantic and dramatic storylines for several seasons. While working on the series, Knight faced public attention regarding his personal life, but he consistently delivered a memorable performance. He continues to act in both theater and television, taking on diverse roles.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is a celebrated comedian known for her roles in shows like ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’, where she often played characters different from herself. She brings humor and authenticity to every part, skillfully portraying a wide range of people. As an openly married mother, Sykes demonstrates that great comedy comes from understanding human nature, not just playing someone you resemble.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace is known for his roles in shows like the whimsical ‘Pushing Daisies,’ where he played the love interest, and ‘Halt and Catch Fire,’ where he portrayed the more reserved Joe MacMillan. While he generally keeps his personal life private, he has publicly shared that he is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Pace consistently delivers strong, captivating performances, often bringing a sense of depth and intrigue to his characters, proving that a leading actor can benefit from maintaining an element of mystery.

Maulik Pancholy

Maulik Pancholy is known for his roles as Jonathan on ’30 Rock’ and in the animated series ‘Phineas and Ferb’, where he often played characters who were not LGBTQ+. He publicly came out to show his support for both the AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities and continues to work as an actor in both animated and live-action projects. Pancholy believes it’s important for people to see diverse representation and for actors to have the opportunity to play a variety of roles. He’s known for bringing a unique and energetic style to his comedic performances, making his characters stand out.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin is a well-established actress best known for her role as Frankie Bergstein on the show ‘Grace and Frankie,’ where she played a woman exploring dating again after her husband left her. While Tomlin herself has been in a long-term relationship with a woman, she brings a keen understanding of life and relationships to her acting, proving that great comedy and emotional depth are what truly make an actor shine.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor is known for portraying strong, confident women in shows like ‘The Practice’ and ‘Legally Blonde’. Despite being in a well-known relationship with Sarah Paulson, she’s often played characters who are figures of authority – mothers, judges, and professors. Taylor consistently brings intelligence and elegance to her performances, earning the audience’s respect. Her work proves that an actor’s personal life doesn’t affect their ability to portray powerful characters.

Nathan Lane

Nathan Lane is a highly acclaimed actor known for his work on stage and in movies. While he’s often cast as lively and expressive characters, he’s also proven his range with more subdued roles, like in the film ‘Mouse Hunt’. He’s celebrated for his boundless energy and skill at performing both comedic and dramatic scenes. Lane finds the greatest reward in acting from the chance to experience different perspectives and lives, and his adaptability continues to earn him respect throughout the entertainment industry.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné became famous as Raven Baxter on the show ‘That’s So Raven,’ and she’s continued playing the character – now as a mother and divorced woman – in the series ‘Raven’s Home.’ Though she doesn’t like being defined by labels, Raven-Symoné lives openly with her wife and remains a prominent figure in children’s entertainment. Her career shows that child stars can grow, stay successful, and be authentic to who they are.

Let us know in the comments which actor you thought gave the best performance!

2025-12-09 10:22