“When I found out they had written this character for me, I was thrilled. And then when I finally got the script was when I realized it was the gay character, and I was terrified.
But I just wanted to get out and be a part of the industry so badly, I just knew there was no option. I also knew that it would probably force me to answer and ask questions of myself that I wasn’t quite ready to do. So, I’m actually kind of grateful for it in a way because I think it kind of pushed me into a path of honesty with myself.
But I was absolutely terrified. And back then, people told their clients, ‘Don’t play gay characters because it will ruin your career.’ But again, I had been auditioning for so long and never gotten anything. There was no option for me, I had to do it. As scary as it was.”Chris Colfer talking to fellow Glee alums Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz on their And That’s What You Really Missed podcast about being cast as gay teenager Kurt Hummel on the musical comedy-drama series.
Related: Chris Colfer shades Lea Michele’s ‘Funny Girl’ run and not even Jonathan Groff can save her
Stan H
I loved the show. I did not like the character of “Kirk”. He was too weird for me.
dbmcvey
You mean he was gay?
Boo Radley
No offense, but how could he have possibly played straight?
dbmcvey
He was a teenager when he got the role.
Also, if you have to say “no offense” you know it’s offensive.
Fenwick22
He couldn’t – not in any universe. No offense for being honest.
Boo Radley
@dbmcvey – You know who else was a teenager when he played a gay youth on “One Life to Live?” Ryan Phillippe, and that was back in 1992. Totally destroyed his career, right?
mailliw110
Ok, no offence, but did you just admit to watching soaps as a kid? But the funny part is that you bring up something that you really have no idea of what really happened with Ryan.
Just.my.opinion
Chris Colfer was never one of the best parts of the show, but I cannot imagine him trying to play a straight man. To quote a different show, “Helen Keller would know he is gay!”
bachy
Chris had a 2-episode guest spot on Hot in Cleveland in which he played Victoria Chase’s son, which was a straight character. I found him believable.
Fenwick22
LOL – that was like 8 years ago and he hasn’t been seen or heard from since. I’m sure he’s up for Rocky XI.
RoyM
Colfer playing straight? Seriously? I’d certainly pay to see that! He is a great actor though, so who knows. He could be brilliant.
ingyaom
This headline is a joke, right?
Fenwick22
I know I’m laughing…….
Terrycloth
When you open your mouth to speak and a purse falls out…major clue
DuMaurier
Well, I guess “we” are allowed to makes jokes about “What else could he play BUT gay?”, hahaha. I didn’t watch Glee much after the first season, but this reminds me of an interview he gave early on where he mentioned a bunch of classmates from high school sending him social media messages and friend requests after the show started, and him thinking (something like) “Really? Aren’t you the guy who called me a f*g every day in school?”
I think setting himself up for that kind of public exposure with that stuff in his past was probably tough for reasons that go beyond fear of career repercussions, and I’d think it’s a kind of fear a lot of us should be able to empathize with.
Thad
Chris Colfer has quite successfully moved on. For a few years, it’s been “acclaimed best-selling author Chris Colfer.” And the world is better for it.
LumpyPillows
I thought he was great fun in Glee. He was a hoot in the ABFAB Movie. He’ll do just fine because most people are less bitchy than the Queerty peanut gallery.
Jim
How many your gay men are comfortable with themselves because of Chris playing Kurt?
How many people accept the gay people in their family because of Chris playing Kurt?
If he had done nothing else in his life Chris has made the world a much better place.
Enough said.
PhillyProud
I can’t say he was my favorite character, but I was really glad he was on the show. Representation is huge. He did a great job in that regard. If some gay high school kid saw that and felt safe, or that he’s not alone, even better. I kind of felt his relationship with Blaine was a little too heteronormative. Then in the last 2 seasons along came Unique and I squealed in GLEE! 🙂 Ryan Murphy has done the gays proud o that show. Now… Let’s talk about the way he portrayed some of the women in the first season. Brutal.
MusicBoi74
I couldn’t stand Glee. And in that Hot In Cleveland arc, he was ok, but it was a ridiculous story line, having to “come out” as straight because his mother thought he was gay. As one poster said above, “open mouth, purse falls out.” I had a friend like that when I moved to Atlanta. He looked intimidating and butch, then would do the finger snap, and say, “Hey guuuurrl!” I’ve just never been impressed with this kid as an actor.