Gay Actors Who Played Iconic Straight Characters

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A truly skilled actor can convincingly play characters very different from themselves. In Hollywood, many LGBTQ+ actors have given outstanding performances as straight characters, often becoming well-known for those roles. This proves that an actor’s sexual orientation doesn’t affect their ability to deliver believable and powerful performances, whether in serious dramas, lighthearted comedies, or big-budget action movies. Here’s a look at some actors who have successfully played memorable straight characters in film and television.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris is best known for playing Barney Stinson on the TV show ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Over the show’s nine seasons, his character became famous for his complicated plans to attract women and his memorable lines. Harris received several Emmy nominations for the role, which is now considered a classic in TV comedy. Interestingly, despite playing a character known for pursuing women, Harris publicly came out as gay in 2006.

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen is renowned for his portrayals of iconic characters like Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ films, and Magneto in the ‘X-Men’ series. His performance as Gandalf earned him an Academy Award nomination and helped make the character a beloved figure in cinema. Beyond acting, McKellen has been a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights since publicly coming out in 1988.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller became globally recognized for his role as Michael Scofield in the thrilling TV series ‘Prison Break’. He played a highly intelligent engineer known for daring escapes, and his character had a significant romantic connection with Dr. Sara Tancredi. Miller’s compelling acting kept the show running for five seasons, plus a later movie. In 2013, he publicly came out as gay in a letter explaining why he wouldn’t attend a film festival in Russia.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons became famous for playing Sheldon Cooper, a brilliant but socially uncomfortable character, on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ for twelve seasons. Over the course of the show, Sheldon developed a lasting romantic relationship and eventually married another scientist, Amy Farrah Fowler. Parsons’ performance won him four Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying Sheldon as a well-known television icon. Parsons publicly shared that he is gay in 2012 in an interview with the New York Times.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer played the charming and clever con man Neal Caffrey in the TV series ‘White Collar’. The show followed Neal as he pulled off intricate heists and explored complicated relationships, particularly his interest in Kate Moreau. Bomer’s performance was highly regarded for its charisma and emotional range, contributing to the show’s six-season run. In 2012, he publicly came out as gay while accepting an award for his charitable efforts.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans is a Welsh actor known for playing diverse roles. He famously portrayed the boastful and strong Gaston in the 2017 live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’, where his character stubbornly pursues Belle despite her rejection. He also played the brave Bard the Bowman in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, a character driven by a desire to protect his family. Evans has been publicly open about his sexuality throughout his career.

Jonathan Bennett

Jonathan Bennett is best known for playing Aaron Samuels in the popular movie ‘Mean Girls’. He portrayed the charming high school crush of Cady Heron and the ex-boyfriend of Regina George. This role launched his career in the early 2000s teen film scene and remains his most iconic part. Since then, Bennett has become a regular on the Hallmark Channel and publicly came out as gay in 2017.

Victor Garber

I always loved Victor Garber as Jack Bristow in ‘Alias’! He played this really intense CIA agent, but you could totally feel how much he cared about his daughter, Sydney. It was fascinating learning about his character’s history, especially his marriage to Irina. Honestly, his performance was so good he was nominated for an Emmy three years in a row! It was also really cool to hear him mention in 2013 that he’d been with his partner for a long time – just a genuinely great guy and actor.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto is well-known for taking on the iconic role of Spock in the 2009 ‘Star Trek’ film and its follow-ups. His version of Spock had a notable romantic relationship with Lieutenant Uhura. He also gained recognition for playing the complex villain Sylar in the series ‘Heroes,’ showcasing his ability to portray characters who are both intense and thoughtful. In 2011, Quinto publicly came out as gay, emphasizing the value of LGBTQ+ representation in media.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott became famous around the world for playing the villain Jim Moriarty in the TV series ‘Sherlock’. Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’s greatest enemy, is shown as a very clever and dramatic criminal. Scott also played a memorable role as the “Hot Priest” in ‘Fleabag’, where his character had a significant romantic storyline. He’s been public about being gay and has said it hasn’t held him back in his acting career.

Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw is a highly versatile actor known for playing Q, the gadget expert, in the recent James Bond films – ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’, and ‘No Time to Die’. He also portrayed Henrik Sandahl in ‘The Danish Girl’, and is the voice of Paddington Bear in the popular film series. Whishaw entered a civil partnership in 2012 and has openly discussed his personal life in interviews.

T. R. Knight

T.R. Knight became well-known for his role as Dr. George O’Malley on the popular TV show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, where he played a compassionate young doctor. His character had several significant relationships, most notably a marriage to Dr. Callie Torres. Knight’s acting was crucial to the show’s initial popularity and earned him an Emmy nomination. He publicly came out as gay in 2006 after an incident with a co-star received a lot of media attention.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace is known for playing memorable characters like Ned, a heartbroken pie-maker in the charming series ‘Pushing Daisies’ – a man who revived his love, Chuck, but couldn’t physically touch her. He’s also played the regal Elvenking Thranduil in ‘The Hobbit’ films and the antagonist Ronan the Accuser in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. In 2018, Pace publicly shared that he is proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Let us know what you thought of these performances, and feel free to mention other actors who have played similar roles well, in the comments below.

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2026-02-12 04:45