Gay Actors Who Came Out After Retiring

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Throughout the history of entertainment, stars have often felt pressured to carefully control how the public sees them. In the 20th century, actors who revealed they were LGBTQ+ risked losing their careers because of strict contract rules and widespread prejudice. As a result, many famous performers only shared their true selves after they’d retired or left Hollywood. These experiences highlight the personal costs faced by entertainers in a less accepting time.

William Haines

When studio head Louis B. Mayer forced him to choose between his love life and his career, silent film star William Haines chose love. He left Hollywood in the mid-1930s and successfully reinvented himself as an interior designer alongside his partner, Jimmie Shields. Haines lived openly as a gay man within his social circle for the rest of his life, never returning to acting. His decision is remembered as an early act of defiance against the strict moral codes imposed by the studio system. Joan Crawford famously described Haines and Shields as the happiest couple in Hollywood.

Tab Hunter

I remember Tab Hunter as one of those classic heartthrobs from the 50s, in movies like ‘Battle Cry’ and ‘The Sea Chase’. What was fascinating was how intensely private he was. The studios kept creating these fake romances with actresses like Natalie Wood to manage his image. It wasn’t until 2005, after he’d largely retired to a ranch, that he really told his story in his memoir, ‘Tab Hunter Confidential’. That’s when he finally revealed he was gay and talked about his relationship with Anthony Perkins. It was a brave move. He spent his last years living a peaceful life in California with his partner, Allan Glaser, and it’s nice to know he finally found that peace.

Farley Granger

This actor was a popular leading man in the late 1940s, famous for his work in Alfred Hitchcock films like ‘Strangers on a Train’ and ‘Rope’. Later in his career, he shifted his focus from movies to theater and television, and eventually retired. In his 2007 memoir, ‘Include Me Out’, co-written with his partner Robert Calhoun, he openly discussed his relationships with both men and women. He revealed he was bisexual, offering a rare and honest perspective on life in old Hollywood. He largely kept his personal life private until his death in 2011.

Jim Nabors

Jim Nabors, best known for his role as Gomer Pyle on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and his own series, was privately known to be gay for many years. He didn’t publicly confirm his relationship until 2013, when he married his partner of 38 years, Stan Cadwallader, in Seattle, explaining he hadn’t felt the need to announce it earlier in his career. He continued to be a popular and cherished figure in Hawaii until his passing in 2017.

Dick Sargent

David Sargent, best known for taking over the role of Darrin Stephens on ‘Bewitched,’ kept his sexuality private for most of his career to avoid damaging his job prospects. He publicly came out as gay in 1991 on National Coming Out Day, and he was a Grand Marshal at a pride parade that same year. By then, his career in mainstream television had slowed, so he was able to dedicate himself to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. He remained a strong voice for the community until his death in 1994. His decision to come out was a significant event for established TV actors.

Joel Grey

Liza Minnelli, the celebrated actress known for ‘Cabaret’, had a long and successful career in theater and film. Though her family and friends knew she was gay, she didn’t publicly discuss her sexuality for much of her life. At age 82, in 2015, she came out in an interview with People magazine, explaining it was a gradual journey of accepting herself over many years and through changing social attitudes. Minnelli shared that it took time for her to feel comfortable embracing this part of her identity.

David Ogden Stiers

David Ogden Stiers, best known for playing Major Charles Winchester III on ‘MAS*H’, kept his personal life private for many years. At age 66, in 2009, he publicly came out as gay, explaining he had feared it would harm his career. He continued working in voice acting and as an orchestra conductor until his death in 2018. His announcement was widely celebrated, especially by fans who also remembered him from ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

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2026-02-18 15:45