I love Brendan Fraser, [so] I’m very conflicted. Seeing him get up so modest in Venice and have that moment, I was very happy for him. He’s a lovely man. And it’s great. But why? Why go up there and wear a fat suit to play a 400-lb. queer man? To finally have a chance to be in a prestige film that might be award-nominated, where stories about people who look like us are being told? That’s the dream. So when they go time and time again and cast someone like Brendan Fraser, me and the other big queer guys, we’re like, ‘What the … ?’ We can’t take it!
I would have loved to have read for [The Whale.] I mean, who knows more about being an obese queer man than an obese queer man? But I guess you can go ahead and wear a fat suit and do what you got to do and get your Oscar. We’ll just sit here, waiting.
The biggest problem we have right now in our industry is that people like me and my colleagues can’t really sell movies overseas if we are actually queer because the world is homophobic. Even if America is ready for a gay person in the lead like that, they have a hard time selling the movie overseas, so they get scared. But it’s going to take risk-takers and real trailblazers to let us cut our teeth in these roles as actors so we, too, can have a shot at a full career in Hollywood.— Mean Girls star Daniel Franzese, who recently competed on RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race, talking to People about Darren Aronofsky’s controversial film The Whale, in which Brendan Fraser dons a “fat suit” to play a reclusive gay teacher. Find the full interview here.
smittoons
The double-edged sword of saying artists should stay in their lane when it comes to sexuality is only going to artificially boost LGBT talent for a little while before there’s a backlash and we get seriously pigeonholed.
I recognize that diverse talent won’t get the chance to gain stardom if people don’t stop looking in the same places for talent. Hollywood et al need to do better there still. But at the same time, there’s a difference between the guy who starred in The Mummy and a supporting actor in Mean Girls. A movie isn’t an altruistic venture, it does need to make money. A Brendan Fraser comeback story is a better hook than taking a chance on an unknown talent who is actually gay and big-bodied. Franzese is a good actor who deserves more chances, but you don’t get to go from Looking straight to headlining a Darren Aronofsky movie. Come on, now.
Jon in Canada
Careful now, you’re using facts and reality and you know how some despise both.
drmiller
Very well said indeed.
drmiller
In addition to what you said, I’m also disappointed that Franzese used his queerness to play the victim. There is absolutely an issue with homophobia in Hollywood (and larger) that desperately needs to be addressed—but this is not that. Not only that, but attempting to make this an issue about marginalization is playing right into the hands of what right-wing media media says we all are—overly woke and overly sensitive. Which ultimately hurts the cause. Knock it off, Daniel. You’re making us all look bad!
Cam
No, what it will do is actually help create bankable LGBTQ stars.
Currently Hollywood uses the self fulfilling prophecy. They don’t cast Queer actors because they say there aren’t any big bankable ones. And no Queer actors BECOME big or bankable because they never get cast.
Wanting the one or two LGBTQ parts that come out every few years to go to a Queer actor seems to be this HUGE threat to the THOUSANDS of straight actors that get parts every single year.
It’s a a phony excuse to keep the Hollywood bigotry in place.
Huron132
Excellent wording. I agree to the fact that an actor should play what ever part they want. If you are that person. Can’t wait to see it! Daniel I think needs to stand back and look at what he is as an actor. When you do your part you are fantastic. I love the many films he has been in. I also think he is sexy man. So stop hating the player and change the game. I would love to see you more!
amorg13
Wow. Great response. I worry if queer people are only cast in queer roles that’s going to be the same reasoning used to keep people like Sarah Paulson from roles with hetero storylines. That slope can’t be descended to far.
Phuryous4
And, honestly, if he was cast, he would have to wear a fat suit, as well to portray the morbidly obese character.
mailliw110
I’m not sure what the problem is? Gay actors have been playing straight men for centuries!
Joshua333
The problem is that they have a very limited amount of gay roles and an unlimited amount of straight roles.
inbama
Politically correct Daniel Franzese can’t even call Fraser’s character what he is: a GAY man.
Stan H
I am sure it was most likely easier to get financing if the film had a name attached to it.. Daniel is not a “Name”. Brendan Frasier is a name that is known worldwide. I am a proud of him for speaking out. He has a solid point.
bigrawtop
I hear the “Name” argument over and over then they cast straight unknowns like the lead in LOVE SIMON.
Cam
Translation: “We can never cast an LGBTQ actor because none of them are big name….because we never hire them.”
abfab
Seeing this film or root canal. Root canal.
Jon in Canada
Just remember kids, the moment you demand that only certain people play certain roles is the day others can tell you the same thing.
If you’re comfortable with that, fine; but don’t turn around and whine because you’re no longer anything but a typecast gay actor in only gay roles. Sauce for goose is, inevitably, sauce for the gander.
bachy
He’s right. There will come a time when straight actors portraying gay characters will look as old-fashioned as those films from the 40s and 50s in which white actors portrayed “Oriental” characters using heavy makeup, artificially “slanted” eyes, silk kimonos and Fu Manchu mustaches.
LumpyPillows
Or black people playing a white, red head mermaid?
bachy
@Lumpy: the casting of Halle Bailey as The Little Mermaid actually served to make the character more magical for me…
LumpyPillows
But it’s contrary to your point. That’s all I’m saying.
I like her being a little mermaid. Why they didn’t give her a new name boggles my mind though. Like they wanted to be provocative.
Bosch
She doesn’t need a different name; the differences between cartoon little mermaid and live action little mermaid are literally skin-deep. It only appears controversial because people complained about it.
And I’m not sure it’ll look old-fashioned to have straight actors play gay parts; sexual orientation is hardly an external physical characteristic.
Phuryous4
It’s already cringe worthy watching the “sissy” characters in old films with the lisping, histrionics, feyness, fastidiousness, cattiness and cowardly behavior. It is outdated and offensive as the “mammy” archetype.
abfab
Daniel was just a little cranky today, no? Oh well, he spoke his mind and now we can move on to more important news like Smelly Anne Conwoman. I love how Q always chooses the photo of her that shows her best side.
bachy
LOL
Bosch
“The world is homophobic”
Maybe so, but generally not the countries that are consuming the bulk of exported American media. I really don’t think casting gay actors makes movies hard to sell.
Gay actors who only play gay parts don’t show versatility, and gay actors who only play in gay themed movies don’t get much exposure. The solution isn’t to put more gay actors in gay parts, the solution is to put more gay actors in every other part.
MrMichaelJ
OMG, I’m not that old but when I’m like “Who is this guy?” maybe that’s a really, really good clue you didn’t even get to read for it.
bachy
Check out Looking the series, followed by Looking, the Movie. Both, IMHO very, very good, but opinions vary. Widely.
Franzese plays a major character.
DarkZephyr
Dude, you’ve never seen “Mean Girls”?
Prax07
Looking was trash. If it wasn’t for Mean Girls the guy wouldn’t have a career. Those are the only two things I think I’ve ever seen him in.
John
I see this more of a jealousy thing. He said he would have liked to read for that role, as if he would have been an option in the first place. He’s not on the same level with Brendan and that’s fine but let’s not make things up. Also, does he not know what acting means? You are playing someone you are not, not someone you are.
Deacon
Ever think that being gay wasn’t the only criteria for the role….. If it was that much of an issue Daniel needs to write a script for himself, get it greenlit find the financing star in and produce a movie about a fat gay guy himself.
bigrawtop
Gay actors matter! When we say, we are just looking for the best actor, we really mean the best straight actor. Poor straight actors just won’t get any parts if they are denied the gay ones.
cuteguy
What makes this mean girl think he had a chance to receive the accolades that Brendan is receiving for his performance. Brendan is just a better actor than this Dan guy ever was or is. And now he’s using the gay card to play victim. Just like Ricky Martin did. You don’t see Luke Evans complaining about not getting parts prob bc he actually has talent
Neoprene
The “gay community” is now synonymous with victim community. Dave Chappelle is right. We need more Stonewall gays around now instead of the snowflake victims like most of the girrls on here are.
Bosch
Every community is synonymous with victim community, even straight white guys. Because complainers are loud.
DarkZephyr
I am a little tired of LGBT people trying to make acting into something OTHER than acting. Who cares what the sexual orientation of the actor is as long as they are good in the role and are sensitive and respectful of the subject matter?
Toofie
Yes, it’s called acting. If the role was of a thrice divorced man, should only actors that have been divorced 3 times be eligible?
Joshua333
But straight people are just boring to watch.
fosforos
He got no talent, very very veeeeery little so this whole situation is just funny.
storm45701
Franzese is one of the few gay people in Hollywood who DIDN’T get a cameo is Billy Eichner’s Bros.
That tells you how important he is right there. Leave Brendan Alone.
IvanPH
Fraser is a terrific actor.
Franzese is just a whale.
Paris in Santiago
Franzese is talented, I give him that.
But Brendan Fraser has the gift of artistic skill because of his unique talent & handsomeness; his longevity, history, and life experiences – all used as tools for character creation. He is a desirable actor for the role. The director had a gut instinct for Brendan in the role. It’s about personality, getting along with others.
The issue of hiring/not-hiring gay vs. straight actors is moot.
How does anyone know, or care, if the actor is closeted? Or bi? Or whatever?Its no one’s business! And it’s cruel to out someone. People, get a grip. Sheesh!
abfab
If Richard Simmons was given a straight role he could not act his way out of the gay.
Cam
People who say that it shouldn’t matter if the actor is LGBTQ or not…….that is a beautiful thought. And it WOULDN’T matter if Hollywood hadn’t been refusing to hire Queer actors since the beginning of the movie industry.
As it is, they’ve screened out of the closet people from getting roles, and now FREAK OUT at the idea of one or two roles every few years possibly going to actors who aren’t straight.
Bosch
We should fix this by giving LGBTQ actors all kinds of parts, not just gay roles.
Phuryous4
During the Golden Days of Hollywood, they hired a LOT of queer actors: Clift, Dean, Brando, Stanwyck, Hudson, Garbo, Dietrich, Crawford, Monroe, Navarro, Hunter, Perkins, McDowell, Grant, etc. So, they had no problem hiring queer actors and making them stars, as long as they stayed in the closet publicly. America was not accepting of openly gay actors as leading men then and it is still the same. Because once a leading man is outed, he is relegated to gay roles or supporting characters (usually sexless and practically neutered).
BLAKENOW
Danny is a very lazy actor no matter what he thinks no one will run to a movie with him opening it. Hes the same fat gay dude in every d listed show he’s been on.
Seriously when have you ever said WOW that Danny can really act his ass off.
You don’t hear really talented people gay bitching about not getting a role they were never even considered for? DO you ever hear Alan Cumming or even Jesse Tyler Ferguson bitching about never getting roles they could never pull off? The best thing Danny has ever done was doing. drag on that Secret drag mess of a show . She was actually good lip synching . If you are reading this Danny, maybe you missed your calling?
brian6767
“The biggest problem we have right now in our industry is that people like me and my colleagues can’t really sell movies overseas if we are actually queer because the world is homophobic.” Did you ever stop to think the Brendan Fraser is simply a better actor? Play the ‘homophobia’ card too much and it loses its impact.
paza65
So, to be fair, Gay actors shouldn’t play straight roles?! Ridiculous. NPH crushes it playing straight on HIMYM and the Harold and Kumar films and no one complains about that. Come on, it’s acting! The point is to play a character. As someone who’s done a lot of stage work it’s always such a joy to be something other than gay me. And, wasn’t Daniel just on RuPaul’s Celeb Drag Race where he “played” a drag queen? With padding and all to present as a woman? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical? The best actor should get the part no matter their sexuality. That’s what we were fighting for back in the 80’s and 90’s.
BlueRamirez
Dude, it’s a drag show ?
BlueRamirez
I agree that the world is still very homophobic. But always remember that, Hollywood is show” business”. “Business people do business to earn profit. If there’s a “big/large” popular actor, gay or not, I’m sure the producer of the said movie will be very interested to hire them. It’s all about the business, so you make sure that what you are selling would sell. They sell what they think would give them profit. They are not “artists”, artists who are making films for the sake of art and not about the profit (But I’m not sure if people like that still exist.)
HalcyonDays
If there is an issue here at all, in my mind it is more about not casting an obese actor to play an obese character. Putting someone in a fat suit seems a bit dated to me. No offense to Fraser, I imagine he will be terrific. He is also well known and perhaps his involvement is the only way the film would have been made.
For the record, I have no issue with gays playing straights or straights playing gays. As has been said, it’s called acting.
ladron
Daniel Franzese is a fat gay man who has been if a few films … hasn’t acted a day in his life.
Brendan Fraser is an actor who has appeared in a few gay films and roles … isn’t always a fat man.
prttymn33
Hey Dan, as a 330 middle aged gay actor, I get it. But, I also understand that in order for people to see the story, they have to want to. Putting Brendan Fraser in the lead gives the movie more of a chance of being seen. Look what happened to Bros. Good movie,very funny, no real stars, so very disappointing opening weekend. The producers are doing what they have to to make money.
I would’ve killed to read for that role