Rupert Everett Says Coming Out Killed His Career

rupert-everett1So much for that whole British stiff upper lip, thing. Rupert Everett tells the New York Times Magazine that coming out was career suicide, saying ” “Being gay, really. It just doesn’t work.” everett publicly announced he was gay in 1997 and while since then he’s been in Shrek 2, Inspector Gadget and more British comedies than you can shake a Cadbury bar at, he says that Hollywood passed him over as a leading man because of his sexuality.

He’s particularly sore that he didn’t get the lead in Basic Instinct 2, which makes us think that maybe it’s not so much his being gay that keeps him from landing roles, so much as it’s his poor choice in projects. What else is he blaming for his doomed career? Well, Madonna, of course.

Access Hollywood writes:

“He has modeled for a slew of designers including, Versace, Valentino and Yves St. Laurent, and was named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 2000. He has voiced characters in two “Shrek” film, even though he has only headlined one true Hollywood hit – 1997’s “My Best Friend’s Wedding” – in which he played Julia Robert’s gay best friend.

It was a role which, coupled with his openness about his sexuality, pigeonholed him into only playing gay characters and – according to the actor – killed his future as a leading Hollywood man.

“I wanted to be a movie star,” he told the mag. “I had a difficult set of circumstances to deal with, particularly for a movie career.”

When pressed, Rupert responds bluntly, “Being gay, really. It just doesn’t work.”

After he went public with his sexuality, Rupert alleges he was turned down for the lead role opposite Sharon Stone in the “Basic Instinct” sequel… due to his sexuality. According to the actor, an MGM executive told his agent that an openly gay actor would be viewed as a “pervert” in the eyes of American audiences.

Something the actor adamantly disagrees with, saying, “As actors we don’t play gay, straight… we play human beings.”

Another high — and then low point — for Rupert was his friendship and subsequent falling out with Madonna during the filming of 2000’s “The Next Best Thing.”

The 49-year-old actor said he made a lot of bad decisions and “burned bridges” while making the movie with Madge.”

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