Actors Who Came Out as LGBTQ+ & the Fans Loved It

Coming out stories from actors have helped more people see themselves reflected in film and TV. These moments often arrive through magazine profiles, stage speeches, social media posts, and interviews, and they carry real weight because they connect personal truth with work that reaches global audiences.

This list gathers male actors who publicly shared their identities and kept building strong careers on screen and stage. You will find when and how they came out, what roles they are known for, and how they have supported representation and community efforts through their projects and public advocacy.

Elliot Page

Elliot Page came out as transgender in December 2020 in a personal statement and has since shared updates about his life and career. He is known for work in ‘Juno’ and ‘The Umbrella Academy’ and has also produced and written projects that highlight queer and trans experiences.

Page discusses trans issues in interviews and public appearances and released the memoir ‘Pageboy’. He has supported groups that advocate for trans health care and representation and has continued to lead major projects in film and television.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris publicly confirmed he is gay in 2006 in a statement that followed years of work across TV and theater. He is known for ‘How I Met Your Mother’, ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’, and Broadway productions including ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’.

Harris has hosted multiple award shows and earned Emmys and a Tony. He often supports LGBTQ organizations through events and visibility campaigns and has spoken about parenting and career longevity as an out actor.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto came out as gay in 2011 in a message that connected his personal life to broader conversations about equality. He is widely known for ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Heroes’ and has produced independent films that center complex queer characters.

Quinto has performed in theater productions and narrated documentaries that address LGBTQ history. He works with arts groups and nonprofits, lending his platform to fundraising and education efforts.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons confirmed he is gay in 2012 in a profile that referenced his long term relationship and theater work. He is best known for ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and has since expanded into producing and starring in both TV and stage projects.

Parsons has played historical and contemporary queer roles, including in ‘The Normal Heart’ and ‘Spoiler Alert’. He supports LGBTQ youth initiatives and uses interviews to highlight safe schools programs and community resources.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer publicly acknowledged his relationship and family in 2012 during an awards speech. He is known for ‘White Collar’, ‘The Boys in the Band’, and ‘American Horror Story’, along with acclaimed stage work.

Bomer has portrayed several queer characters and has produced projects that bring classic LGBTQ plays to new audiences. He participates in fundraising for HIV and AIDS services and champions adoption and family equality.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans has spoken about being gay in multiple interviews after starting his career on the West End and moving into major film roles. He is known for ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and action thrillers.

Evans records music, performs on stage, and supports Welsh and UK charities that include LGBTQ causes. He maintains a visible presence at film festivals and uses press tours to discuss authenticity and career choice.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott has long been open about being gay and has discussed it plainly in interviews focused on his theater career and screen roles. He is known for ‘Fleabag’, ‘Sherlock’, and ‘All of Us Strangers’.

Scott has earned awards for stage and screen and often returns to theater between film projects. He supports arts education and participates in conversations about queer storytelling in British and Irish cinema.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey has spoken about being gay in industry panels and interviews while building a profile on stage and television. He is known for ‘Bridgerton’ and for award winning theater performances in London.

Bailey continues to balance leading man roles with complex character work and has taken part in charity readings that benefit LGBTQ youth. He regularly highlights inclusive casting practices and mentorship.

Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw confirmed he is gay in a public statement that followed years of acclaimed stage work and film roles. He is known for ‘Paddington’, ‘Skyfall’, and ‘A Very English Scandal’.

Whishaw has chosen projects that explore identity and history and has collaborated with notable playwrights and directors. He supports theater companies that develop new writing and speaks about privacy and visibility with care.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace spoke openly about being queer in interviews while promoting television and theater work. He is known for ‘Pushing Daisies’, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy.

Pace has starred on Broadway and in independent films and has discussed the value of nuance in queer roles. He engages with environmental and arts charities and supports inclusive workplace practices in production.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller came out as gay in 2013 through a letter that declined a festival invitation in a country with discriminatory laws. He is known for ‘Prison Break’ and has written screenplays under a pen name.

Miller has spoken publicly about mental health and representation and has chosen roles that align with his values. He has worked with organizations focused on suicide prevention and LGBTQ outreach.

Colton Haynes

Colton Haynes came out in 2016 after addressing speculation about his personal life and health. He is known for ‘Teen Wolf’ and ‘Arrow’ and has modeled in fashion campaigns alongside acting work.

Haynes has been candid about recovery and family history and has written about his experiences in a memoir. He supports LGBTQ youth groups and uses social media to amplify crisis hotlines and resource centers.

Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale shared that he is queer in 2017 in a personal post while appearing in film and TV projects that reached young audiences. He is known for ‘The Flash’ and ‘Love, Simon’ and also releases music.

Lonsdale has performed at pride events and speaks about fluidity and self expression. He participates in projects with diverse casts and supports youth mentorship through arts programs.

George Takei

George Takei came out publicly in 2005 after decades of work on screen and in theater. He is known for ‘Star Trek’ and for a long record of civic engagement and public speaking.

Takei has written books and created the musical ‘Allegiance’, which draws from his family history. He supports civil rights groups and educates audiences about LGBTQ history and the Japanese American experience.

Anthony Rapp

Anthony Rapp has identified as queer since the nineties and has discussed his life in interviews and a memoir. He is known for ‘Rent’ on stage and for ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ on television.

Rapp has been active in LGBTQ and arts education efforts and participates in charity concerts. He continues to originate roles in new works and speaks about safe workplaces in entertainment.

Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey has been open about being gay in UK media while building a varied television and theater career. He is known for ‘Looking’, ‘Years and Years’, and ‘Being Human’.

Tovey curates and collects contemporary art and hosts a podcast that promotes new voices. He supports LGBTQ art exhibitions and uses gallery partnerships to raise funds for community organizations.

Charlie Carver

Charlie Carver came out in 2016 in a series of personal posts that reflected on family and career. He is known for ‘Teen Wolf’, ‘The Leftovers’, and Broadway work.

Carver has produced and written projects and has collaborated with LGBTQ nonprofits on campaigns for youth well being. He often discusses the importance of mentorship in acting and writing.

BD Wong

BD Wong has been publicly out for many years and has spoken about parenting and career choices in interviews. He is known for ‘Law and Order SVU’, ‘Mr. Robot’, and ‘Jurassic Park’.

Wong is a Tony winning actor for ‘M. Butterfly’ and continues to direct and act across media. He supports organizations focused on LGBTQ families and Asian American representation in the arts.

Brandon Flynn

Brandon Flynn has identified publicly as queer and has discussed visibility and privacy in interviews and social posts. He is known for ’13 Reasons Why’ and for stage work in New York and London.

Flynn appears in film and TV projects with queer creatives and supports mental health initiatives that serve LGBTQ youth. He uses his platform to highlight donation drives and educational resources.

Justice Smith

Justice Smith came out as queer in 2020 in a message that also encouraged support for Black and queer communities. He is known for ‘Detective Pikachu’, ‘The Get Down’, and ‘Dungeons and Dragons’.

Smith continues to choose roles across genres and participates in readings and workshops that develop new scripts. He supports voter registration and mutual aid efforts and speaks about intersectionality in media.

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