Celebs Who Came Out as Queer After 50 and Look Happier Than Ever

It’s never too late to be true to yourself and share who you are with the world. Many well-known people come out about their sexuality later in life, often after years of living publicly with careers and relationships. These celebrities found freedom and peace of mind by revealing their true selves after age 50, and their experiences show others that it’s always possible to embrace authenticity, no matter how long you’ve waited.

George Takei

George Takei, best known for his role in ‘Star Trek,’ kept his sexuality private for many years, fearing it would harm his career. He publicly came out as gay at age 68, motivated by debates around same-sex marriage in California. Since then, he’s become a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights and enjoys a fulfilling marriage with his husband, Brad Altman. Coming out helped refresh his public persona and allowed him to champion important social causes.

Holland Taylor

The acclaimed actress recently discussed her love life in a podcast interview, sharing that she’s been in a long-term relationship with actress Sarah Paulson. At 72, she explained she hadn’t felt the need to publicly label her sexuality, simply living authentically. Their relationship remains happy and continues to capture public attention.

Barry Manilow

The iconic singer didn’t publicly share his sexuality until age 73, largely due to concerns about how his mostly female fanbase would react. He later revealed he had secretly married his manager, Garry Kief, in a private home ceremony. The incredible support he received from fans showed his worries were unnecessary and allowed him to finally be himself.

Meredith Baxter

Meredith Baxter, famous for playing the mother on ‘Family Ties,’ publicly came out as a lesbian at age 62. After several marriages to men and feeling unfulfilled, she explored her sexuality and ultimately embraced her true self. She decided to share her story in a TV interview to get ahead of spreading rumors. Baxter has said that living authentically brought her great peace and honesty.

Joel Grey

At 82, the acclaimed actor known for ‘Cabaret’ recently came out publicly, sharing details about his sexuality for the first time. He explained that growing up, being gay wasn’t accepted, and he felt he had to fit in with what society expected. He spoke fondly of his family and his lasting love for his children as he embraced this personal truth. The announcement received a huge outpouring of support from his fans and the Broadway world.

Caitlyn Jenner

The Olympic champion became a global sensation when she came out as a transgender woman at age 65. Her story was shared in a widely-watched interview and a reality TV show, which led to discussions around the world. She famously appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair, publicly revealing her true self. This was a turning point, greatly increasing the visibility of transgender people in popular culture.

Jodie Foster

I was so moved when this incredible actress and director finally shared something so personal with the world! At the Golden Globes, when she was 50, she publicly acknowledged her sexuality in her acceptance speech. It was really powerful; she thanked her former partner, Cydney Bernard, and explained how much she valued her privacy, especially after being in the public eye for so long. She also shared that she’d been open with her loved ones for years before making it public, and it really struck me how she managed to balance being a celebrity with needing a private life.

Victor Garber

The accomplished actor, known for his work in both movies and plays, publicly came out as gay at age 63. He revealed his long-term relationship with artist Rainer Andreesen during an interview, explaining it came up while discussing his Wikipedia entry. Garber shared he and his partner have been together for over ten years and he’d always assumed people were aware of his personal life. While he generally prefers to keep his private life private, he is happy and lives openly.

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts, the ‘Good Morning America’ host, publicly came out as a lesbian at age 53 in a Facebook post near the end of the year. She shared the news while also expressing gratitude for her partner of many years, Amber Laign, and reflecting on her recent health challenges. Roberts had previously been open about her relationship with those close to her, but decided to share this part of her life with the public on her own time. People praised her announcement for being both simple and heartfelt.

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain, the actor famous for ‘The Thorn Birds,’ publicly came out as gay in his autobiography when he was 69 years old. He described the difficulty of keeping his sexuality a secret to protect his career as a popular leading man in a less accepting time in Hollywood. While he wished he had been more open earlier, he feels relieved to have finally shared his truth. Chamberlain still acts and often talks about the challenges of working in the entertainment world.

Cassandra Peterson

Best known for playing Elvira, Cassandra Peterson shared in her memoir – at age 70 – that she is in a relationship with a woman. She explained that she fell in love with her longtime assistant, Teresa Wierson, after years of friendship. Peterson was initially concerned about how her fans might react, but felt it was important to be truthful about her partner. To her delight, her devoted followers responded with overwhelming support and acceptance.

Clive Davis

At 80 years old, a legendary figure in the music industry came out as bisexual in his autobiography. Davis wrote openly about his relationships with men after his two divorces, explaining that he became open to love with anyone, regardless of gender, later in life. His story highlights that sexuality can be fluid, even for people who have been in the public spotlight for many years.

Tim Cook

Apple’s CEO publicly came out as gay at age 53, making him the first leader of a Fortune 500 company to do so. In an essay, he explained that while he cherished his privacy, he felt it was important to be open and help others. Cook shared that he views his sexuality as one of the greatest blessings in his life. He continues to be a role model for LGBTQ+ people working in business and technology.

Kelly McGillis

Kelly McGillis, known for her role in ‘Top Gun,’ publicly came out as a lesbian at age 51. She explained that this was a step in her journey to live a more honest and sober life, and that she was ready to embrace her true feelings and stop dating men. Now, she prioritizes her family and well-being over the pressures of a Hollywood career.

Niecy Nash-Betts

The actress recently surprised everyone by announcing she’d married singer Jessica Betts at age 50. She shared that she’s always been open about her sexuality, but this relationship was special because she fell in love with Jessica as a person, not based on gender. While she’d been married to men before, she found a deep and meaningful connection with her wife. Pictures from their happy wedding showed her joy and how she’s embracing this new chapter, free from the expectations of her past.

Phillip Schofield

As a longtime viewer, it was really moving to see Phillip Schofield publicly share something so personal. He came out at 57, and you could tell it had been a difficult journey for him, especially while navigating his marriage. I was so glad to see how much support he got from his colleagues and everyone watching – it takes incredible courage to be so open. He also talked about how much his family’s love meant to him throughout the whole process, which was really touching.

Wayne Brady

The comedian publicly shared that he is pansexual at age 51. In an interview, he explained that he’s capable of falling in love with people of any gender. He also mentioned prioritizing his mental health journey before feeling comfortable sharing this personal part of himself, and hopes being open will allow him to live a more genuine life.

Tab Hunter

At age 74, the popular movie star from the 1950s publicly confirmed rumors about being gay in his autobiography. He detailed the challenges of keeping his personal life secret in Hollywood while studios demanded a wholesome public image. He shared stories of his relationships with both Anthony Perkins and his partner of many years, Allan Glaser. His openness shed light on the previously untold stories of gay actors working within the old studio system.

2025-12-16 08:16