Gay Actors Who Are Atheists

The intersection of sexuality and spirituality is a complex journey for many people in the public eye. For some gay actors, leaving behind traditional religious structures has been an essential part of embracing their authentic selves. These performers have openly identified as atheists or expressed non-religious views while navigating their careers in Hollywood and beyond. They often cite logic, science, or personal freedom as the driving forces behind their lack of belief in a deity. This list highlights talented men who have found clarity and purpose without the need for religious dogma.

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen is one of the most respected actors in the world and an outspoken activist for LGBTQ+ rights. He has frequently stated that he does not believe in God and sees organized religion as a destructive force in society. The legendary actor often discusses how religious institutions have historically oppressed gay people. McKellen relies on human empathy and reason rather than scripture to guide his moral compass.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is a celebrated British actor, comedian, and writer who is well known for his staunch atheism. He has engaged in numerous public debates where he argues that a benevolent God is incompatible with the suffering observed in the natural world. Fry describes himself as a humanist who finds beauty and meaning in human achievements and the natural universe. His articulate critiques of religious doctrine have made him a prominent figure in the secular community.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is a versatile Scottish actor who has garnered acclaim for his work on stage and screen. He has openly identified as an atheist and often speaks about his separation from the religious environment of his childhood. Cumming believes that people should take responsibility for their own actions rather than attributing them to a higher power. His memoir explores his personal journey away from the abusive and restrictive atmosphere of his youth.

Mark Gatiss

Mark Gatiss is a writer and actor known for his work on ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Doctor Who’. He has described himself as a rationalist who does not believe in the supernatural or divine intervention. Gatiss often incorporates themes of science and skepticism into his creative projects. He views the universe through a materialist lens and finds wonder in the scientific understanding of reality.

Matt Lucas

Matt Lucas is a comedic actor and presenter who rose to fame with the sketch show ‘Little Britain’. He was raised in a Jewish household but has since identified as an atheist who values secular ethics. Lucas has expressed that he does not need religious texts to understand right from wrong. He often uses humor to explore social norms and challenge traditional beliefs.

Derren Brown

Derren Brown is a psychological illusionist and actor who has spent his career debunking supernatural claims. He was once a committed Christian but became an atheist after applying critical thinking to his faith. Brown uses his stage shows to demonstrate how easily the human mind can be manipulated by belief systems. He advocates for skepticism and the importance of questioning extraordinary claims.

Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is an Australian singer and actor who gained international fame on YouTube and in films like ‘Boy Erased’. He grew up in a Modern Orthodox Jewish family but eventually stepped away from religious practice. Sivan has stated in interviews that he does not believe in God and identifies as non-religious. His work often deals with themes of identity and the struggle to find one’s place outside of traditional expectations.

Harvey Fierstein

Harvey Fierstein is a theater icon known for his gravelly voice and impactful roles in plays like ‘Torch Song Trilogy’. He has been open about his lack of belief in a deity and describes himself as an atheist. Fierstein views religion as a man-made construct that has often been used to justify discrimination. He finds spiritual fulfillment in the arts and the connection between human beings.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter is a Tony and Emmy award-winning actor who has captivated audiences with his performances in ‘Pose’ and ‘Kinky Boots’. He grew up in a religious environment that condemned his sexuality which led him to reject those teachings. Porter has criticized organized religion for its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and stated he does not believe in heaven or hell. He focuses on living an authentic life free from the judgment of religious dogmas.

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett is a British actor who became a star with films like ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. He has described himself as having no religion and has been critical of the Catholic Church’s stance on homosexuality. Everett views religious institutions as antiquated systems that often cause more harm than good. He prefers to navigate life without the constraints of theological belief.

Elliot Page

Elliot Page is a celebrated actor known for his roles in ‘Juno’ and ‘The Umbrella Academy’. He has identified as an atheist and has criticized religious groups for their intolerance toward the LGBTQ+ community. Page believes that religion is frequently used as a tool to justify prejudice and discrimination. He finds strength in living openly and advocating for human rights without a religious framework.

Graham Chapman

Graham Chapman was a key member of the Monty Python comedy troupe and the lead actor in ‘Life of Brian’. He was openly gay and an unashamed atheist during a time when both were socially difficult. Chapman and his collaborators used their comedy to satirize religious dogmatism and hypocrisy. He lived his life embracing rationality and rejecting the authority of the church.

Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton was a renowned character actor and director from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Though he was married to Elsa Lanchester, he was a gay man who privately rejected religious belief. Biographies and accounts from his life confirm that he was an atheist who relied on his own artistic instincts. Laughton found profound meaning in the human condition rather than spiritual mysticism.

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Pier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director and actor known for his provocative and controversial works. He was an avowed atheist and Marxist who frequently critiqued the Catholic Church in his films. Pasolini viewed religion as a tool of the bourgeoisie to control the proletariat. His artistic legacy is defined by a raw and materialist exploration of human sexuality and politics.

John Waters

John Waters is a filmmaker and actor famously known as the Pope of Trash for his transgressive cult films. He is a staunch atheist who takes pleasure in subverting social and religious norms. Waters has often cited the Catholic Church as a primary enemy of personal freedom and expression. His work celebrates the bizarre and the outcast without any need for divine redemption.

Simon Callow

Simon Callow is a prolific actor and writer who has appeared in films like ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’. He has described himself as an atheist and believes that religion has caused significant harm throughout history. Callow argues that human beings are capable of morality and creativity without the influence of a god. He is a humanist who champions the power of art to elevate the human spirit.

Nathan Lane

Nathan Lane is a beloved stage and screen actor famous for his roles in ‘The Producers’ and ‘The Birdcage’. He was raised Catholic but turned away from the church due to its teachings on homosexuality and fear-based doctrine. Lane has expressed that he does not believe in an afterlife or a divine plan. He finds comfort in the tangible reality of his work and relationships.

Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal was a prolific writer, intellectual, and occasional actor who appeared in films such as ‘Gattaca’. He was a lifelong atheist who viewed monotheistic religions as the greatest disasters to befall the human race. Vidal frequently debated religious figures and argued for a purely secular society. His sharp wit and intellect were constantly deployed against the concept of a deity.

Derek Jarman

Derek Jarman was an avant-garde filmmaker and actor who was a central figure in New Queer Cinema. He was an atheist who found spiritual resonance in nature and gardening rather than organized religion. Jarman used his films to explore gay identity and challenge the conservative religious values of his time. He faced his battle with AIDS with a secular stoicism and a commitment to his art.

Alejandro Amenábar

Alejandro Amenábar is a Chilean-Spanish director and composer who has also acted in cameo roles. He was raised in a religious family but became an atheist after critically examining his beliefs. Amenábar often explores themes of agnosticism and the conflict between reason and faith in his movies. He relies on scientific understanding and humanism to make sense of the world.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer is a successful actor known for ‘White Collar’ and ‘The Normal Heart’. He was raised in a conservative religious household but has since distanced himself from those fundamentalist views. Bomer identifies as non-religious and focuses on spiritual practices like meditation that are separated from dogma. He values inclusivity and love over the exclusion often found in organized religion.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans is a Welsh actor and singer who has starred in major blockbusters like ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but left the religion and its strict rules as a teenager. Evans faced the difficult choice between his faith and his authentic self and chose to embrace his identity. He now lives a secular life free from the control of the church he grew up in.

Willam Belli

Willam Belli is a drag queen, actor, and singer who appeared on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and in ‘A Star Is Born’. He is openly atheist and frequently makes humor out of religious hypocrisy. Belli is known for his irreverent style and refusal to adhere to traditional societal standards. He relies on his own ambition and talent rather than faith to navigate the entertainment industry.

Please let us know in the comments which of these actors you find most inspiring or if there are others you would add to the list.