I think what an LGBTQ actor brings to an LGBTQ role is different; there’s just something innate and lived-in that comes across, but that’s not to say that a straight actor cannot give a powerful performance.
What is worrisome to me is when a production will hire a straight actor to play that role because of some notion that because they’re a straight actor that it’s that much more difficult to take on this role. So it’s awards bait.
These are our lives. These are experiences for a lot of people. And if you’re a straight actor playing these roles, I think it’s important that you acknowledge and understand that.”Wilson Cruz speaking to Out In New Jersey about straight actors playing LGBTQ roles in Hollywood.
Related: Wilson Cruz celebrates turning 45 by showing off his beach bod in ultra thirsty photo
Chrisk
Awards bait. Ha. Never thought of it that way but it sure seems to be true.
Well, at least we’re at the point where actors can’t wait to get a gay role. Wasn’t that long ago it was considered suicide.
Jim
We need to be thankful to people like; Mario Lopez, Aidian Quinn, Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean.
Not only for playing gay when it was De rigueur, but gave us characters we can be proud of.
Donston
I mean, he’s not wrong. If it’s a “serious” movie and an actor is perceived as “straight” that actor is being hired primarily to lure awards. It’s designed to be viewed as a risk and to be seen as someone stretching their range. It’s really not though. There’s also a perception that “straights”, “gays” and women are going to be more interested in the project if you hire “straight” actors and make sure there’s a veil of masculinity. Masculine=serious and important drama. Feminine=camp and comedy. While Hollywood is full of a lot of homophobia, internalized homophobia, homo shame, homo inferiority, hetero pressure, straight/hetero-leaning worship. And a lot of the problems that have built in the industry over the years have been directly caused by “queers”. I ultimately don’t care about the identities of actors. At the end of the day it is acting. And I just assume that at least 50% of actors are within the gender, romantic, sexual, affection, fascination, emotional, relationship spectrum. No matter what they present to the public or identify as. But there’s definitely problematic patterns and hypocritical casting and marketing.
enlightenone
Well said! Cruz’s comment was insightful from the perspective of one on the inside and very much appreciated coming from someone who most likely had/has it easy as an non-closeted human being.
LilMesican
It’s a tricky thing to say. I’ve auditioned for Gay roles and said I wasn’t Gay enough. But I’ve played a Straight husband and gotten great feedback from the director.
I’ve never been married, only dated girls until high school, and been out since I was 17… So?
Donston
He’s talking about substantial roles in substantial projects. Roles that can change an actor’s career, can make them a household name, can garner them awards and acclaim. Openly “gay” actors are not given those roles. Hell, they’re almost never are asked to audition. The stakes and politics are different if someone is looking to legitimately make money, looking to appeal to a certain audience and/or looking for awards rec. There’s also the masc vs. fem debate. Identity vs what you inherently are debate. What actually is “gay” along with alI these other identities? Why does Hollywood continuously look for non “queer” actors in these roles? Is there some internalized homophobia and straight/hetero-leaning worship involved or is it all about marketing? It’s a very complicated discussion that gets frequently reduced prattle. The majority of the comments here are likely going to be basic and one-note. So, it’s a conversation almost not worth having.
Cam
Cue all of the hyperventilating posts from people crying for all of the straight actors who haven’t lost roles to LGBT actors, but one day they MIGHT! So they’re here to tell you why they should still be playing all the roles. (eye roll)
ScottOnEarth
Know what they call actors who take on LGBTQ role? ACTORS. The best actor should be hired for the role, regardless of orientation. By Williams Cruz’s logic, only straight actors should play straight characters. It’s about talent and believability.
Donston
That’s not what Hollywood is about. And we all know this. So, please stop with this basic, un-nuanced viewpoint.
Cam
Except for the fact that for decades LGBT actors weren’t hired specifically because they weren’t straight. So now you don’t have a large group of famous out actors. So now the excuse is “Oh, we hired Brad Pitt to play the role because we needed somebody famous.
When there is true equality it wouldn’t matter, but Hollywood has always screened LGBT people out of roles. No different than having all white actors portray Native Americans, or having Mickey Rooney playing Audrey Hepbern’s Japanese landlord in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
frapachino
@ don “please stop” luckily for us all you don’t get to dictate what others can or can’t say or feel!
Donston
Perfectly predictable scenario: the person who is constantly name-calling, saying racist shit and dismissing other perspectives decides to preach to me about respecting people’s feelings.
Oh, this comment section and its endless supply of nitwits, trolls, sycophants and basics. I guess this site kinda deserves though.
frapachino
You really need to put the racist card back into your purse because of people like you it’s pretty much lost it’s meaning and impact!
chase_boston
high horse thespian Chipmunk …
wcruz73
Giddie up!
wcruz73
This headline and the quote are misleading and incomplete and you wonder why no one takes this site seriously. If you’re going to use me for click bate, at least, quote me accurately and completely. Here was the exchange:
“Do you think LGBTQ roles should go to exclusively LGBTQ actors?”
WC: “No, I’m not going to say that we should only be the ones allowed to play them.”
DO BETTER.
Stay safe out there. Wash your hands.
oscarjames
Totally get your point. If you read my comment you will see that I came to read the article with an inaccurate picture of what you were saying. All best!
Black Pegasus
He and other gay actors need to be careful with the identity politicking. His assertions are probably true but they also carry an undertone that’s dangerous. If I were to apply his standard I’d say ONLY heterosexual men can audition for straight roles, and only gay men should audition for gay roles. Is that the world we really wanna live in?
wcruz73
Read the actual article. Thanks
oscarjames
Mr. Cruz, stop responding to these idiots and don’t give them another thought. You’ll drive yourself nuts for nothing. You’re a fabulous guy and an asset to our tribe!
Jim
I understand the award bait comment, but there will always been only one Mrs. Madrigal NO Trans actor could have done a better job.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I can’t believe Wilson Cruz is now middle aged. You go dude. And by the way, what have you been up to lately? I keep reading more about you and activism than you and acting. No one like a troublemaker honey and troublemakers are rarely thanked by the people they speak up for. Never forget that.
wcruz73
Star Trek Discovery
13 Reasons Why
The Bravest Knight
Exec producer – Visible: Out on Television
Wicked Dickie
I’m surprised he has time to have an interview seeing that he spends his entire day posing shirtless and showing off his gross abs.
wcruz73
Yes, I spend the whole day taking shirtless photos. I’m not a working actor and producer and National board member. ??
oscarjames
Mr. Cruz is an individual of distinction and accomplishment and you get the thrill of throwing your boogers at him in online comment sections. What a thrill that must afford you in what must be a dreary little life.
Cam
Awwww, sweetie, did the a picture of a man without his shirt on “Trigger” you? We’ll go tell somebody to bring you your smelling salts aunt-Pittypat.
oscarjames
At first, when I saw the title of this article, I thought it was another absurd argument for “straight actors” not being fit to play “gay” characters ( it’s called acting). But no, point well taken. If a “straight” actor is chosen just for the sensationalist selling point instead of who is best for the role ( whether that individual be gay, straight or Taiwanese), that sucks. As for whether a “straight” actor playing a “gay” part should appreciate that she or he is portraying the lived experience of a real person, that is a given in any acting situation. Someone playing a cancer victim, a football hero, a drug addict has to give the proper respects.
Jared MacBride
All Hollywood decisions are based on money. Casting is based on who the producers think will put the most butts in seats. It’s not about awards, it’s about $$$$$
Cam
However the problem with that is because they have refused to hire openly LGBT actors for decades. So in other words, they claim that they want a famous actor to sell tickets, but they’ve arranged it so that there aren’t the famous LGBT actors out there who fit that qualification.
You don’t get to never hire any black people and then use the excuse that you only have white executives because there weren’t any qualified black employees.
rand503
I agree. However, I don’t think many people in Hollywood really know how to make money. They THINK they do, but they don’t. Look at all the movies that fail to make money, and look at the ones they spent a $100M on thinking it was a sure thing, only to make a piddly amount.
Hollywood is always looking backwards — “what made money last year?” and they try to duplicate it. Studio moguls are NOT risk takers, and they won’t do something different. They do what worked previously, and even if it no longer works, they still do it because doing different is just too scary for them.
The only reason we have any openly gay actors who are working is because a few brave pioneers blew the door open, and Hollywood didn’t collapse.
MISTERJETT
it’s called “acting”. gay actors play straight characters all of the time. why is it even a issue when straight actors portray gay characters? it shouldn’t be. it’s about the best person for the job.
Donston
And like I suspected there’s a bunch of comments from people who clearly didn’t read the interview and other observations lacking in any nuance. This is of course partly Queerty’s fault with their click bait headline.
frapachino
Is anyone surprised that this d list terrible actor does not comprehend the concept of what acting means?
Cam
Fascinating how all of the right wing troll accounts who always defend people who attack LGBT people hated the idea that there would be visible OUT actors.
oscarjames
Please please oh please read the goddammed article
garybw
Well that’s his opinion, but again if you’re not a straight black male, how could you ever play one on film or television, even if it was a Morgan Freeman Oscar winning role, the nuances of that role, he could never achieve.
Tim
It’s called ACTING
jasentylar
Here we go again. It’s called acting. A job. Producers and directors will choose whomever they see fit to play the part. Be happy that you’re working and save the Moral lessons for someone that asks for them.