The stigma from homosexuality has long ago dissipated from Hollywood and entertainment and recently seen wider-spread acceptability in mainstream society.
Still, there are group of A-list gay actors who, interestingly enough, have never played a gay character on the big and small screen. And there are still a few more who, despite the rampant rumors, have declined to “officially” come out as gay.
Here is a partial list of gay actors who play straight characters only:
1. Jim Parsons (above) — Parsons has long been known as a gay actor, but it was not confirmed until 2012 when it was officially reported by The New York Times.
Jodie Foster — The two-time Academy Award winner (The Accused, Silence of the Lambs) had been rumored to be gay for decades since she was never seen in the arms of a man, but it wasn’t until recently that she gave subtle clues to her sexual orientation.
Cynthia Dixon — She played Miranda Hobbes on the blockbuster HBO series “Sex and the City.” But she came out as bisexual after splitting from her husband after the show peaked and was in decline. She is now married to a woman named Christine Marinoni and they have one child together.
Sarah Gilbert — After playing the character Darlene on the hit show “Roseanne,” Gilbert told the world she was gay, even though she has never played a gay character onscreen. She now has two children with her ex-girlfriend and is dating Linda Perry.
Lily Tomlin — The former “Saturday Night Live” star never tried to hide her LGBT status. She’s been with the same woman since 1971. But she didn’t formerly come out until 30 years later.
Victor Garber — Despite playing strong heterosexual characters, most prominently as the ill-fated ship builder in the all-time blockbuster Titanic, it was no secret of Garber’s status in Hollywood.
The “Cosby Show” and Disney alum Raven Symone has never officially come out, but she is openly dating “America’s Next Top Model” contestant AzMarie Livingston.
Jonathan Bennett — Hard to believe that he played the school’s lady’s man in the hit movie Mean Girls. In actuality, Bennett had no interest in the all the women on the set who pursued him.
Sarah Paulson — You may recognize her as the jilted wife in the Oscar-winning epic 12 Years a Slave.
