Actors Who Are Married to Women But Secretly Identify as Queer

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the personal lives behind the glamorous public images of classic stars. It’s striking how many talented actors spent years in heterosexual marriages before eventually being open about their true selves – whether they identified as gay, bisexual, or something else. When these stories come to light, it often adds a whole new layer to understanding their work and the pressures they faced during the golden age of Hollywood. It really shows how much things have changed, and how our understanding of identity and representation in the spotlight is constantly evolving.

Alan Cumming

The Scottish actor married Hilary Lyon in 1985, and they were together for eight years. He later came out as bisexual and became a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights. He then formed a civil partnership and later married Grant Shaffer. Throughout his career, he’s appeared on Broadway and in films, including memorable roles in ‘The Anniversary Party’ (2001) and ‘X2’ (2003).

David Bowie

David Bowie, the iconic musician and actor, was first married to Angela Barnett and later to model Iman. He openly talked about being bisexual in interviews throughout the 1970s and 80s, and famously used different stage characters, like Ziggy Stardust, to express his exploration of gender and identity. Beyond music, Bowie also appeared in films like ‘Labyrinth’ (1986) and ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ (1976).

Joel Grey

The award-winning actor and Jo Wilder were married for 24 years before divorcing in 1982. He publicly came out as gay in 2015, sharing his story with the media. He’s most famous for his memorable role as the Master of Ceremonies in the 1972 film ‘Cabaret.’ Throughout a successful career in theater and film, he also raised two children.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando, a highly celebrated actor, had three wives, including Anna Kashfi and Movita Castaneda. In a 1976 interview, he also spoke candidly about having relationships with men. Brando is remembered as one of the most important actors of the 1900s, earning Academy Awards for his iconic performances in ‘On the Waterfront’ (1954) and ‘The Godfather’ (1972).

Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins, known for his role in the 1960 film ‘Psycho,’ was married to photographer Berry Berenson from 1973 until Berenson’s death in 1992. Despite a consistent career in film, Perkins largely kept his personal life private. Before his marriage, he was rumored to have had relationships with several prominent men. Earlier in his career, he received an Academy Award nomination for his work in ‘Friendly Persuasion’ (1956).

Robert Reed

Robert Reed, famous for playing the father on ‘The Brady Bunch’ from 1969 to 1974, was married to Karen Steele for five years. He chose to keep his sexuality private throughout his life, fearing it could harm his career. A classically trained actor, Reed frequently performed in theater. After his death in 1992, friends and coworkers revealed details about his personal life.

Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong, the singer of Green Day and an actor, has been married to Adrienne Nesser since 1994. He came out as bisexual in the mid-1990s and has openly talked about his sexuality in many interviews. In 2010, he made his first appearance on Broadway in the musical version of ‘American Idiot.’ He remains a major influence in both rock music and the entertainment industry.

Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz and Christina Carano were married for several years before divorcing. In 2018, he publicly shared that he identifies as bisexual or fluid through a poem and later, in interviews. Mraz also appeared on Broadway in the musical ‘Waitress’ in 2017, and is well-known for both his pop music and his charitable efforts.

Nico Tortorella

The actor is married to Bethany C. Meyers, and they have a child together. He publicly identifies as pansexual and has shared his personal journey with gender and sexuality in a book. He became well-known for his role in the TV series ‘Younger,’ which aired from 2015 to 2021. He is also a vocal advocate for embracing diverse identities and relationship styles.

Richard Pryor

The celebrated comedian and actor married seven times to five different women during his lifetime. After he passed away, his wife revealed he had a romantic relationship with Marlon Brando. He’s best known for his innovative stand-up comedy and his roles in films like ‘Silver Streak’ (1976) and ‘Stir Crazy’ (1980).

Barry Manilow

This performer was once married to Susan Deixler, but later found lasting love with Garry Kief. He publicly came out as gay in 2017, explaining why he’d kept his personal life private for so many years. A hugely successful artist, Manilow has sold millions of albums and has a devoted fanbase called Fanilows. He’s also appeared in numerous TV specials and the film ‘Copacabana’ (1985).

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was a hugely popular actor in the 1950s, married to Phyllis Gates for three years. However, he secretly lived as a gay man, while the film studio presented him to the public as a typical, all-American leading man. He became known for starring in iconic films like ‘Giant’ (1956) and ‘Pillow Talk’ (1959). Later, his battle with illness in the 1980s helped bring much-needed awareness to the AIDS epidemic.

Elton John

Elton John, the world-renowned singer and actor, was married to Renate Blauel from 1984 until 1988. Early in his career, he identified as bisexual before publicly coming out as gay. He’s a multiple Grammy and Academy Award winner, celebrated for his music and film work. He’s also famous for his extravagant stage outfits and his appearance in the 2017 film ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’.

Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier was a celebrated British actor known for his work on stage and screen. Throughout his career, he was married twice, to Vivien Leigh and Joan Plowright. After his death, biographies revealed rumored relationships with other men. Olivier is widely considered one of the greatest actors ever, particularly famous for his performances in Shakespearean plays. He also appeared in classic films such as ‘Wuthering Heights’ (1939) and ‘Hamlet’ (1948).

Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness, the actor famous for his role in the original ‘Star Wars’ (1977), enjoyed a sixty-year marriage to Merula Salaman. He was a very private person, and only revealed his personal struggles in his diaries. Guinness was honored with a knighthood for his contributions to the arts and won an Academy Award for his performance in ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957). He is still considered one of the most important actors in British film history.

Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton, a talented and adaptable actor, was married to Elsa Lanchester from 1929 until he passed away. Lanchester later shared in her autobiography that Laughton was gay, and their marriage was unconventional. He’s best known for his performances in films like ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1939) and ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ (1935), and he also directed the highly regarded thriller ‘The Night of the Hunter’ (1955).

Peter Allen

Peter Allen, an Australian entertainer, was married to Liza Minnelli for seven years. He later came out as gay and had a long-lasting relationship with Gregory Connell. A talented songwriter, Allen was the subject of the Broadway musical ‘The Boy from Oz’ in 2003. He also won an Academy Award for co-writing the theme song to the 1981 film ‘Arthur’.

Alan Bates

Alan Bates was a well-known English actor who was married to Victoria Ward and had two sons. Throughout his successful film career, he kept his relationships with men private. He’s remembered for roles in films like ‘Women in Love’ (1969) and ‘The Go-Between’ (1971), and he won numerous awards for his stage work in both London and New York.

Raymond Burr

Raymond Burr, famous for playing Perry Mason (1957–1966), was married briefly to Isabella Ward at the beginning of his career. To conceal his sexual orientation, he invented a story about having been married several times before and having a son. Burr maintained a thirty-year relationship with Robert Benevides. He continued to be a popular actor on television, notably through his role in ‘Ironside’ (1967–1975).

Danny Kaye

Danny Kaye was a gifted comedian, singer, and dancer, best known for his role in the classic film ‘White Christmas’ (1954). He was married to Sylvia Fine for more than forty years. Throughout his career, there were long-standing rumors about his personal life and relationships with other men in the entertainment industry. He also dedicated many years to working as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Vincent Price

Vincent Price, famous for his roles in horror films, was married three times – to Edith Barrett, Mary Grant, and Coral Browne. His daughter, Victoria Price, revealed in her biography that he was bisexual and held progressive views. Beyond acting, Price starred in iconic movies like ‘House of Wax’ (1953) and ‘The Fly’ (1958), and he was also an avid art collector and a skilled cook.

Cary Grant

Cary Grant, a legendary Hollywood actor, was married five times, including to Dyan Cannon and Barbara Hutton. He shared a long-term relationship with actor Randolph Scott, which often led to rumors about his personal life. Grant was famous for his charisma and perfect comedic delivery in films such as ‘North by Northwest’ (1959), and he received an honorary Academy Award recognizing his exceptional talent as a film actor.

Tyrone Power

Tyrone Power was a charismatic and popular actor who married three times, including to actress Annabella. Throughout his life, he had relationships with both men and women, and was known to be bisexual. He was a major movie star in the 1930s and 40s, appearing in hit films like ‘The Mark of Zorro’ (1940) and ‘The Razor’s Edge’ (1946).

Errol Flynn

Errol Flynn, an actor born in Australia, was known for his turbulent personal life, including three marriages and numerous affairs. Accounts of his time in Hollywood reveal he had relationships with both women and men. He’s most famous for his swashbuckling roles in classic films like ‘Captain Blood’ (1935) and ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938), and his life was consistently marked by scandal and public attention.

James Franco

James Franco, known for his role in ‘127 Hours,’ has been in long-term relationships with women and has often been asked about his sexual orientation. He’s described his personal life as straight, but his artistic expression as exploring gay themes. Throughout his career, Franco has frequently played LGBTQ+ characters and directed films focusing on these stories. Beyond acting, he’s also a writer and academic with a wide range of creative and intellectual pursuits.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy, a well-known English actor, has been married twice, to Sarah Ward and Charlotte Riley. He previously shared that he had relationships with men when he was younger. Hardy is celebrated for his powerful acting in films like ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015) and ‘The Revenant’ (2015), and has become a highly popular leading actor in action and dramatic roles.

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons, an Academy Award winner, has been married to Sinéad Cusack since 1978. He’s previously expressed open-minded views on gender and sexuality. Known for his unique voice, Irons is celebrated for his performances in films like ‘Reversal of Fortune’ (1990) and ‘The Lion King’ (1994). He’s achieved the rare feat of winning an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony Award – the Triple Crown of Acting.

Clive Davis

Though best known as a record executive, he’s also been featured in numerous entertainment documentaries and films. He has four children from his two marriages. In his 2013 autobiography, ‘The Soundtrack of My Life,’ Davis publicly shared that he is bisexual. He’s widely recognized for discovering and launching the careers of iconic artists like Whitney Houston.

Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster, the star of the 1953 film ‘From Here to Eternity,’ was married three times and had five children. Though he lived a private life and was rumored to be bisexual, he remained largely out of the public eye. Before becoming a celebrated actor – considered one of the best of his time and winning an Academy Award for ‘Elmer Gantry’ in 1960 – Lancaster had a background as a circus acrobat.

Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett, who created and directed the famous musical ‘A Chorus Line’ in 1985, was married to dancer Donna McKechnie. Well-known within the Broadway scene, he was openly gay to those close to him. Bennett’s award-winning choreography and direction – he received multiple Tony Awards – significantly changed American musical theatre.

Cole Porter

Cole Porter, a celebrated composer and performer, was married to Linda Lee Thomas for thirty-four years. Their marriage was openly understood to allow him the freedom to have relationships with other men. Porter created many iconic songs that are now considered classics of American music. His life is depicted in the 2004 biographical film, ‘De-Lovely’.

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer, the celebrated Canadian actor, had been married three times – to Tammy Grimes, Patricia Lewis, and Elaine Taylor. In his autobiography, he shared that he experienced attraction to people of all genders when he was younger. He’s best known for playing Captain von Trapp in the classic film ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965), and he made history in 2010 by becoming the oldest actor to win an Oscar for his role in ‘Beginners’.

Richard Burton

Richard Burton, a renowned Welsh actor, was married seven times, including twice to Elizabeth Taylor. His personal diaries hinted at a complex understanding of his own sexuality and a view that everyone possesses both heterosexual and homosexual tendencies. Throughout his successful career, he received seven Academy Award nominations and became known for starring in grand historical films such as ‘Cleopatra’ (1963) and ‘Becket’ (1964).

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones and a film actor, has been married twice, to Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall. He’s publicly discussed his openness to relationships with both men and women and has had several well-known relationships with men. Beyond music, Jagger has acted in films like ‘Performance’ (1970) and ‘The Man from Elysian Fields’ (2001). He continues to be a lasting symbol of rock and roll and is known for his androgynous style.

John Huston

John Huston was a celebrated director and actor who was married five times, including to Enrica Soma. His personal life and complex views on attraction have been the subject of many biographies. He won Academy Awards for directing ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’ in 1948 and is also remembered for his striking role as the villain in the 1974 film ‘Chinatown’.

Bill T. Jones

I’ve been a huge fan of this artist for years! Before finding his life partner and creative soulmate in Arnie Zane, he was actually married previously. He’s been such an important voice in the arts world for decades, and I especially appreciate how he explores themes of identity through his work. It was amazing to see him win a Tony Award for ‘Spring Awakening’ back in 2006, and so well-deserved! The Kennedy Center Honors were a perfect recognition of everything he’s given to American culture.

Jeremy Brett

The English actor was married to Joan Sullivan in the 1950s. A well-known performer, he dealt with personal struggles and mental health issues throughout his life. He’s best remembered for playing Sherlock Holmes in the 1984-1985 television series, ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.’ After his divorce, he had a long-term relationship with Gary Bond.

Anthony Newley

Anthony Newley was a talented singer and actor with a complex personal life. He was married multiple times, including to actress Joan Collins. His daughter later shared that he was openly bisexual and had relationships with both men and women. Newley is also known for his songwriting contributions to famous films like ‘Goldfinger’ (1964) and ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971), and he acted in movies such as ‘Doctor Dolittle’ (1967) and ‘Oliver Twist’ (1948).

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these important people and how they’ve shaped the world of entertainment. Share your opinions in the comments below!

2026-03-21 21:19