The Producers star Nathan Lane says that “homophobia is alive and nicely” in Hollywood and that being an out homosexual actor price him roles.
In an interview with Self-importance Truthful, Lane mentioned that his breakthrough movie position within the 1996 comedy The Birdcage, through which he performed a flamboyant drag queen in a long-term relationship with Robin Williams’ club-owner, did not result in a big film appearing profession, reporting that his then agent advised him: “Perhaps for those who weren’t so open about your life-style, it could have.”
Lane added: “I don’t know what goes on behind closed doorways, however I can’t assist however suppose that [homophobia] performed a component.”
For instance, Lane mentioned he was up for a task within the part-animated basketball comedy Area Jam (additionally launched in 1996) and mentioned he was advised “the director [Joe Pytka] noticed me internet hosting the Tony awards and thought that advised I used to be too homosexual to play the half”. Ultimately, Wayne Knight (who performed Newman in Seinfeld) was forged within the movie. “However I don’t know. I’ll by no means know what folks say. Homophobia is alive and nicely nonetheless.”
Lane added that his early profession success in theatre could have bolstered homophobic attitudes in direction of him. “There’s all the time … that ‘He’s from the theatre’ factor. It’s both homophobia or it’s simply, ‘He offers huge performances as a result of he comes from the theatre.’ If they offer me an opportunity, I appear to do nicely – however it’s a must to get the half. You want a component to show that. I gave up way back attempting to pursue it.”
Lane additionally mentioned he was “grateful” to Ryan Murphy, whose creation allowed him to play main character roles in TV exhibits, together with journalist Dominick Dunne in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and defence legal professional F Lee Bailey in The Individuals v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story. He added: “Earlier than I die, it could be beautiful to get to play a juicy, critical supporting position in some movie.”
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