The Absolute Best LGBTQ+ Actors of the Last Five Years

The landscape of film and television has been significantly shaped by LGBTQ+ male actors who have delivered powerhouse performances over the last five years. From award-winning turns in biographical dramas to breakout roles in popular streaming series, these performers have demonstrated remarkable range and depth. Their contributions have not only enhanced the quality of storytelling but have also provided vital representation for audiences worldwide. This list highlights fifty actors who have made a substantial impact on the entertainment industry through their recent work.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin in the 2023 film ‘Rustin’. He also appeared as Mister in the musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’. On television, he won an Emmy Award for his role as Ali in the drama series ‘Euphoria’. His work over the last five years has solidified his status as a leading figure in Hollywood.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott gained widespread acclaim for his performance in the film ‘All of Us Strangers’. He is also well-known for his role as the Priest in ‘Fleabag’ and Jim Moriarty in ‘Sherlock’. Recently, he starred in the title role of the television series ‘Ripley’ for Netflix. He has received multiple accolades including BAFTA Television Awards and Laurence Olivier Awards.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey became a global star through his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the series ‘Bridgerton’. He also delivered a critically acclaimed performance alongside Matt Bomer in the limited series ‘Fellow Travelers’. Bailey has been recognized with an Olivier Award for his work on the West End stage. His upcoming projects include a lead role in the film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’.

Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw continued his success with a starring role in the medical drama ‘This Is Going to Hurt’. He also appeared in the film ‘Women Talking’ and provided the voice for the title character in ‘Paddington 2’. Whishaw has won several awards including a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe. His performances are often noted for their sensitivity and emotional depth.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer starred in the historical drama series ‘Fellow Travelers’, which explores a decades-long romance between two men. He also appeared in the biographical film ‘Maestro’ as David Oppenheim. Bomer has consistently worked in both television and film, earning praise for his versatility. He remains one of the most prominent out actors in the industry today.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons transitioned from his long-running role in ‘The Big Bang Theory’ to impactful dramatic work. He starred in the film ‘Spoiler Alert’ and the television adaptation of ‘The Boys in the Band’. Parsons also appeared in the Netflix series ‘Hollywood’ as talent agent Henry Willson. His recent roles have focused on telling significant LGBTQ+ stories.

Dan Levy

Dan Levy achieved immense success as the co-creator and star of the comedy series ‘Schitt’s Creek’. Following the show’s conclusion, he wrote, directed, and starred in the film ‘Good Grief’. He also joined the cast of ‘Sex Education’ for its final season. Levy has become an influential figure in television production and queer representation.

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa rose to fame playing Eric Effiong in the Netflix series ‘Sex Education’. He recently took on the iconic title role in the long-running science fiction series ‘Doctor Who’. Gatwa also appeared in the blockbuster film ‘Barbie’ as one of the Kens. His energetic and charismatic performances have made him a standout talent of the last five years.

Kit Connor

Kit Connor gained international recognition for his lead role as Nick Nelson in ‘Heartstopper’. He previously appeared in the biographical film ‘Rocketman’ as a young Elton John. Connor has become a prominent young voice in the LGBTQ+ community since coming out as bisexual. He continues to lead ‘Heartstopper’ as it remains a popular fixture on Netflix.

Joe Locke

Joe Locke made his professional acting debut as Charlie Spring in the series ‘Heartstopper’. Following this breakout success, he was cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series ‘Agatha All Along’. Locke has also performed on Broadway in the revival of ‘Sweeney Todd’. His rapid rise to fame has established him as a significant young talent.

Murray Bartlett

Murray Bartlett won an Emmy Award for his role as Armond in the first season of ‘The White Lotus’. He also delivered a memorable performance in the acclaimed ‘The Last of Us’ episode ‘Long, Long Time’. Bartlett appeared in the limited series ‘Welcome to Chippendales’ and ‘Physical’. His recent career resurgence has been marked by several high-profile roles.

Bowen Yang

Bowen Yang is a writer and cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’, where he has earned multiple Emmy nominations. He starred in the queer romantic comedy film ‘Fire Island’ and appeared in ‘Bros’. Yang also hosts the popular podcast ‘Las Culturistas’. He is recognized as a trailblazer for Asian-American and LGBTQ+ performers in comedy.

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope earned a Golden Globe nomination for his leading role in the film ‘The Inspection’. He also starred in the Netflix series ‘Hollywood’ and the television drama ‘Pose’. Pope is a multi-talented performer who has also received Tony Award nominations for his work on Broadway. His recent projects highlight his range across drama and musical theater.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter is a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winner known for his role as Pray Tell in ‘Pose’. He has appeared in films such as ’80 for Brady’ and the 2021 version of ‘Cinderella’. Porter is a major figure in fashion and activism within the entertainment industry. His work continues to push boundaries regarding gender expression and queer identity.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans has maintained a prolific career with roles in ‘Echo 3’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’. He also voiced a character in the animated film ‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’. Evans is known for his roles in major franchises like ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘The Hobbit’. In the last five years, he has continued to balance blockbuster projects with character-driven dramas.

Joel Kim Booster

Joel Kim Booster wrote and starred in the film ‘Fire Island’, a modern queer retelling of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. He also stars in the comedy series ‘Loot’ alongside Maya Rudolph. Booster is a successful stand-up comedian with a special on Netflix titled ‘Psychosexual’. His work often explores themes of identity, race, and sexuality.

Lukas Gage

Lukas Gage appeared in the first season of ‘The White Lotus’ and the fourth season of ‘You’. He has also had roles in ‘Euphoria’ and the film ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’. Gage is known for taking on daring roles in high-profile streaming series. His recent work has made him a recognizable face in modern television drama.

Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey starred in the drama series ‘Years and Years’ and ‘American Horror Story: NYC’. He has a long history of performing on both the stage and the screen. Tovey also co-hosts the art-focused podcast ‘Talk Art’. His recent roles often highlight complex queer experiences in contemporary settings.

Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is a singer-songwriter who has expanded his acting career with a role in ‘The Idol’. He also starred in the coming-of-age film ‘Three Months’. Sivan previously appeared in ‘Boy Erased’ and the ‘X-Men’ franchise. His work as an actor complements his successful career in the music industry.

Omar Ayuso

Omar Ayuso became famous for his role as Omar Shanaa in the Spanish series ‘Elite’. He has appeared in several seasons of the show, which is a major global hit for Netflix. Ayuso has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. He has also ventured into directing short films in recent years.

Manu Ríos

Manu Ríos joined the cast of ‘Elite’ in its fourth season, gaining immediate international attention. He also starred in the short film ‘Strange Way of Life’ directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Ríos is a prominent figure in the fashion world as well as an actor. His recent projects have positioned him as a rising star in European cinema.

Harvey Guillén

Harvey Guillén is best known for his role as Guillermo de la Cruz in ‘What We Do in the Shadows’. He voiced the character Perrito in the animated film ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’. Guillén has also appeared in ‘Blue Beetle’ and ‘Reacher’. He is an advocate for queer and Latine representation in Hollywood.

Brian J. Smith

Brian J. Smith starred in the science fiction series ‘Class of ’09’ and ‘Sense8’. He also appeared in the film ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ as Berg. Smith has a strong background in theater, having appeared on Broadway in ‘The Glass Menagerie’. His work often spans across various genres including action and drama.

Haaz Sleiman

Haaz Sleiman played Ben in the Marvel Studios film ‘Eternals’, depicting one of the MCU’s first gay couples. He also appeared in the television series ‘Little America’ and ‘New Amsterdam’. Sleiman has been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ Arab community. His performance in ‘Eternals’ was a landmark moment for queer visibility in superhero films.

Tituss Burgess

Tituss Burgess is well-known for his role in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, for which he received multiple Emmy nominations. In recent years, he starred in the musical series ‘Schmigadoon!’ and voiced a character in ‘Central Park’. Burgess is also an accomplished Broadway performer. His comedic timing and vocal talent remain highly regarded in the industry.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto appeared in the film ‘The Boys in the Band’ and the series ‘American Horror Story: NYC’. He is famously known for playing Spock in the modern ‘Star Trek’ film franchise. Quinto has also been active in theater, starring in a West End production of ‘Best of Enemies’. He continues to be a steady presence in both film and television.

Charlie Barnett

Charlie Barnett starred in the Netflix series ‘Russian Doll’ and the thriller ‘You’. He recently joined the ‘Star Wars’ universe with a role in ‘The Acolyte’. Barnett previously had long-running roles in ‘Chicago Fire’ and ‘Tales of the City’. His diverse career covers everything from procedural dramas to high-concept science fiction.

Robin de Jesús

Robin de Jesús received critical praise for his role in the musical film ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’. He also appeared in the film adaptation of ‘The Boys in the Band’. De Jesús is a three-time Tony Award nominee for his work on Broadway. His recent screen roles have highlighted his talent as a character actor and singer.

Brandon Flynn

Brandon Flynn is best known for his role as Justin Foley in the series ’13 Reasons Why’. He also appeared in the Ryan Murphy series ‘Ratched’ on Netflix. Flynn recently starred in the ‘Hellraiser’ reboot film. He has been open about his identity and often participates in LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Hunter Doohan

Hunter Doohan gained popularity for his role as Tyler Galpin in the series ‘Wednesday’. He also appeared in the legal drama series ‘Your Honor’ alongside Bryan Cranston. Doohan has worked steadily in television, appearing in shows like ‘Truth Be Told’. His performance in ‘Wednesday’ helped the show become one of Netflix’s most-watched series.

Justice Smith

Justice Smith starred in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ and the film ‘The Society’. He also appeared in the HBO Max series ‘Genera+ion’. Smith has led major projects such as ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’. He is known for playing a wide variety of roles in different genres.

Wilson Cruz

Wilson Cruz stars as Dr. Hugh Culber in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’, representing a landmark LGBTQ+ relationship in the franchise. He has been a pioneer for queer actors since his role in ‘My So-Called Life’ in the 1990s. Cruz recently appeared in the documentary series ‘Visible: Out on Television’. He remains an active leader in GLAAD and other advocacy organizations.

Anthony Rapp

Anthony Rapp stars alongside Wilson Cruz in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ as Paul Stamets. He is a Broadway legend, famous for originating the role of Mark Cohen in ‘Rent’. Rapp released a memoir and performed a one-man show titled ‘Without You’ in recent years. His career has spanned decades of advocacy and performance.

George Takei

George Takei voiced characters in ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ and ‘Hit-Monkey’. The ‘Star Trek’ veteran remains an active figure in the industry and on social media. He has been a consistent voice for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights for many years. Takei also saw his life story adapted into the musical ‘Allegiance’.

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen starred in the 2023 film ‘The Critic’ and remains active on the stage. He is one of the most respected actors in history, known for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘X-Men’. Despite being in his 80s, he continues to take on demanding roles in theater. McKellen’s career serves as an inspiration for generations of LGBTQ+ performers.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming hosts the reality competition series ‘The Traitors’, which has become a major hit. He also starred in the musical comedy series ‘Schmigadoon!’. Cumming is a Tony Award winner with an extensive career in film, television, and theater. He recently published a second memoir titled ‘Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life’.

Victor Garber

Victor Garber stars in the legal drama ‘Family Law’ and appeared in the film ‘Happiest Season’. He is a prolific actor known for ‘Alias’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’. Garber has a storied career on Broadway and in Hollywood. He continues to be a highly sought-after talent for both dramatic and comedic roles.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Jesse Tyler Ferguson completed his long run on ‘Modern Family’ and won a Tony Award for the play ‘Take Me Out’. He appeared in the film ‘Cocaine Bear’ in 2023. Ferguson has also been active in producing and hosting television specials. He remains a prominent figure in the Broadway community.

Cheyenne Jackson

Cheyenne Jackson appeared in the sitcom ‘Call Me Kat’ and several seasons of ‘American Horror Story’. He is a frequent collaborator with Ryan Murphy and a veteran of Broadway. Jackson has also released music and performed in concert series. His versatility allows him to move easily between musical theater and television drama.

Tuc Watkins

Tuc Watkins starred in the Netflix series ‘Uncoupled’ and the film ‘The Boys in the Band’. He is also known for his long-running roles on ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’. Watkins has worked frequently in theater and television throughout his career. He often portrays complex gay characters in modern narratives.

Andrew Rannells

Andrew Rannells stars in the series ‘Girls5eva’ and appeared in the film ‘The Boys in the Band’. He is a Broadway star known for ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Falsettos’. Rannells has also written two books about his life and career. He is a prominent comedic and musical talent in the entertainment industry.

Daniel K. Isaac

Daniel K. Isaac is best known for his role as Ben Kim in the series ‘Billions’. He also appeared in the comedy series ‘The Other Two’ and the film ‘Fire Island’. Isaac is an accomplished playwright whose work has been produced Off-Broadway. His roles often challenge traditional stereotypes of Asian-American men.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace stars in the epic science fiction series ‘Foundation’ on Apple TV+. He also appeared in the horror-comedy film ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’. Pace has a dedicated following from his work in ‘Pushing Daisies’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy. His recent work in ‘Foundation’ has showcased his ability to lead a large-scale production.

Jim Rash

Jim Rash is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter who continues to act in projects like ‘Community’ and ‘DuckTales’. He recently appeared in the film ‘Bros’ and the series ‘Ironheart’. Rash is known for his unique comedic style and writing talent. He remains an active figure in both independent and mainstream comedy.

Scott Evans

Scott Evans appeared in the blockbuster film ‘Barbie’ and the series ‘Grace and Frankie’. He is the brother of actor Chris Evans and has been open about his identity throughout his career. Evans has worked steadily in television and film for over a decade. His role in ‘Barbie’ brought him to a wider international audience.

Javier Muñoz

Javier Muñoz appeared in the film ‘Monuments’ and has been active in television projects. He is best known for taking over the title role in ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway from Lin-Manuel Miranda. Muñoz is an advocate for people living with HIV and cancer survivors. He continues to perform on stage and in various screen projects.

Maulik Pancholy

Maulik Pancholy voices a lead character in ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ and appeared in ‘The Good Fight’. He is also an author of middle-grade fiction that focuses on queer themes. Pancholy is well-known for his previous roles in ’30 Rock’ and ‘Weeds’. He remains a consistent presence in the world of voice acting and television.

Michael Urie

Michael Urie stars in the series ‘Shrinking’ and the holiday film ‘Single All the Way’. He rose to fame in the series ‘Ugly Betty’ and has since become a major figure in theater. Urie is known for his comedic timing and has directed several projects for the stage. His recent work continues to champion queer storytelling in comedy.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris starred in the series ‘Uncoupled’ and appeared as a villain in ‘Doctor Who’. He is a multi-talented performer who has hosted the Oscars, Tonys, and Emmys. Harris has a long history of success in television, film, and on Broadway. He remains one of the most recognizable and successful out actors in the world.

Conrad Ricamora

Conrad Ricamora starred in the film ‘Fire Island’ and the television series ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. He recently appeared in the musical ‘Here Lies Love’ on Broadway. Ricamora has balanced a successful career in television drama with high-profile musical theater roles. His work often highlights the intersection of Asian-American and queer identities.

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