Gay Actors Who Don’t Believe In God

Many prominent figures in the entertainment industry have openly discussed their lack of religious belief while navigating their careers. This list highlights gay male actors who identify as atheist, agnostic, or non-religious. These individuals have shared their perspectives on faith and how it relates to their lives and identities. From stage legends to screen stars, they represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences regarding spirituality.

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen is one of the most respected actors in the world and an outspoken atheist. He has famously stated that he sometimes tears pages out of Bibles found in hotel rooms to make a point about religious dogma. The actor believes that religion has often been used to justify discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community throughout history. McKellen focuses his moral compass on human empathy and equality rather than religious doctrine.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is a celebrated British comedian and actor who identifies as a humanist and atheist. He gained significant attention for a viral interview where he questioned the morality of a deity who allows innocent beings to suffer. Fry frequently engages in debates regarding the role of the Catholic Church and other institutions in modern society. He advocates for reason and logic over faith-based belief systems in his writing and public speaking.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is a Scottish actor who has achieved success on both stage and screen. He has described himself as completely atheist and does not hold any beliefs about God. Cumming has expressed frustration with the way religious institutions have historically treated gay people. He often champions secular values and focuses on artistic expression as a means of connection.

Harvey Fierstein

Harvey Fierstein is a Tony Award-winning actor and playwright known for his distinctive voice and impactful work. He has identified as an atheist while maintaining a strong cultural connection to his Jewish heritage. Fierstein often explores themes of identity and human connection in his plays rather than religious salvation. He believes in the importance of taking care of one another on Earth without relying on a higher power.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris is a versatile actor known for his roles in television and musical theater. He identifies as agnostic and has stated that he is not interested in organized religion. Harris focuses his energy on his family and his career rather than spiritual practices. He values the freedom to question existence without adhering to a specific creed.

Matt Lucas

Matt Lucas is a British comedian and actor best known for his work on sketch shows like ‘Little Britain’. He was raised in a Jewish household but has since identified as an atheist. Lucas has remarked that he finds it difficult to believe in a god given the state of the world. He approaches life with a secular worldview and often uses humor to address social taboos.

Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is an Australian singer and actor who gained fame on YouTube before transitioning to mainstream media. He was raised in a Jewish family but has stated publicly that he does not believe in God. Sivan embraces his cultural background while rejecting the theological aspects of religion. His work often reflects his journey of self-discovery and queer identity outside of religious constraints.

John Waters

John Waters is a filmmaker and actor known for his transgressive and countercultural works. He identifies as an atheist and has frequently satirized religious themes in his movies. Waters views religion as a source of camp and absurdity rather than spiritual truth. He champions the beauty of the outcast and finding community among those rejected by traditional moral guardians.

Mark Gatiss

Mark Gatiss is a writer and actor known for his work on ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Doctor Who’. He is an atheist who has spoken about his lack of belief in the supernatural. Gatiss relies on science and history to understand the world around him. He often incorporates themes of rationalism and skepticism into his storytelling.

Simon Callow

Simon Callow is a celebrated British actor and writer with a long career in theater and film. He has publicly identified as an atheist and has written about his secular views. Callow believes that art and literature provide the spiritual nourishment that others find in religion. He remains a vocal advocate for the arts as a substitute for religious observance.

Derren Brown

Derren Brown is a British illusionist and actor who specializes in psychological manipulation and skepticism. He is a prominent atheist who often debunks faith healers and supernatural claims in his shows. Brown was a Christian in his youth but abandoned his faith after applying critical thinking to his beliefs. He encourages audiences to question their perceptions and embrace a rational understanding of the universe.

Elton John

Elton John is a music icon and actor who has been critical of organized religion. He has previously stated that he would ban religion completely if he could because he views it as a source of hatred. The singer believes that faith is often used to divide people rather than bring them together. He focuses his philanthropic efforts on fighting AIDS and supporting human rights globally.

Davey Havok

Davey Havok is a singer and actor known for his work with the band AFI and various stage roles. He is an outspoken atheist and follows a straight-edge lifestyle that eschews drugs and alcohol. Havok relies on personal discipline and ethical living without the need for a deity. His lyrics often explore dark themes but his personal philosophy is grounded in secular humanism.

Ted Allen

Ted Allen is a television personality and actor best known for his role on ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’ and ‘Chopped’. He describes himself as an atheist and approaches life with a focus on culinary arts and culture. Allen was raised in a religious environment but moved away from those beliefs as an adult. He values logic and tangible experiences over spiritual faith.

Denis O’Hare

Denis O’Hare is an American actor known for his diverse roles in television and theater. He identifies as an atheist and has spoken about his lack of religious belief in interviews. O’Hare often plays complex characters that grapple with moral ambiguities without religious guidance. He finds meaning in his craft and his family life rather than in a church.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an actor and screenwriter best known for his role in ‘Prison Break’. He is non-religious and has rejected the cosmological claims of religion due to a lack of evidence. Miller approaches life with a rationalist perspective and values intellectual honesty. He has spoken about the importance of self-reliance and mental health awareness.

Jonathan Groff

Jonathan Groff is a stage and screen actor known for ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Mindhunter’. He was raised with a Methodist and Mennonite background but realized during his youth that he did not believe in God. Groff has stated that he is not religious and focuses on his artistic expression. He finds community and connection through the theater world rather than a congregation.

Derek Jacobi

Sir Derek Jacobi is a legendary British actor and stage veteran. He identifies as agnostic and has expressed skepticism about religious certainty. Jacobi believes that there are many things about the universe that remain unknown. He focuses on the human experience and the power of storytelling to convey truth.

Dan Savage

Dan Savage is a writer, activist, and occasional actor known for his advice column and media appearances. He identifies as an “agno-atheist” and is a fierce critic of religious homophobia. Savage argues that morality comes from empathy and social contracts rather than divine mandates. He has dedicated his career to helping the LGBTQ+ community navigate relationships without religious guilt.

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett is a British actor and writer who has been a vocal critic of the Catholic Church. He has expressed disdain for the institution’s history and its treatment of gay people. Everett often champions figures like Oscar Wilde who were persecuted by moralistic societies. He views life through a secular and often cynical lens regarding organized faith.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott is an Irish actor who gained global fame for his roles in ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Fleabag’. He was raised Catholic but has since left the church and does not practice a religion. Scott has spoken about emancipating himself from the guilt and shame often associated with religious upbringing. He prefers to find spirituality in human connection and the present moment.

Andrew Rannells

Andrew Rannells is a Broadway star and television actor known for ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Girls’. He attended a Catholic school but left the church after graduating and coming to terms with his sexuality. Rannells has written about his experiences growing up in a religious environment and his subsequent departure from it. He finds humor and freedom in living an authentic life outside of religious expectations.

Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert is a singer and actor who rose to fame on ‘American Idol’. He was raised in a Jewish family but has stated that he is not religious. Lambert respects his cultural heritage but does not practice the theological aspects of Judaism. He expresses himself through his music and flamboyant performance style rather than religious observance.

Mika

Mika is a pop singer and performer who has stated he is not particularly religious. He grew up in a diverse environment and was exposed to various beliefs but chose not to adhere to one. Mika focuses on creativity and inclusivity in his work. He values the freedom to define his own identity without religious labels.

Alejandro Amenábar

Alejandro Amenábar is a Spanish-Chilean director and writer who also composes music and acts. He is an atheist who often explores themes of mortality and the afterlife from a secular perspective. His film ‘The Sea Inside’ deals with the right to die and challenges religious dogmas about the sanctity of life. Amenábar relies on reason and human rights to guide his moral worldview.

Pedro Almodóvar

Pedro Almodóvar is an acclaimed Spanish filmmaker and director who is openly gay and atheist. His films often critique the Catholic Church and explore the lives of marginalized characters. Almodóvar views the church as a repressive force in Spanish history. He celebrates human desire and resilience in the absence of divine intervention.

Graham Chapman

Graham Chapman was a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python and was openly gay and atheist. He frequently mocked religious figures and institutions in his sketches and films. Chapman famously played the lead in ‘Life of Brian’ which satirized blind faith and religious following. He lived his life with a commitment to absurdity and rational skepticism.

Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal was a prolific writer, intellectual, and occasional actor who was known for his wit and atheism. He was a fierce critic of Christianity and its influence on American politics. Vidal believed that religion was a man-made construct used to control populations. He advocated for a rational society based on history and science.

James Whale

James Whale was an English film director and actor best known for his horror classics like ‘Frankenstein’. He was an atheist who lived openly as a gay man in Hollywood during a conservative era. Whale’s work often contained subtext that challenged societal norms and religious morality. He approached life and death with a secular and artistic mindset.

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Pier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director, poet, and actor who was an avowed atheist. Despite his lack of belief, he often used religious imagery in his films to critique modern society. Pasolini was a Marxist who viewed the Catholic Church as an institution of power rather than spirit. He remains a controversial figure for his radical views and lifestyle.

Luchino Visconti

Luchino Visconti was an Italian theater, opera, and cinema director as well as a screenwriter. He was an atheist and a Marxist who came from an aristocratic background. Visconti’s work often explored the decay of the aristocracy and the corruption of moral values. He viewed history through a materialist lens rather than a spiritual one.

Terence Rattigan

Terence Rattigan was a prominent British playwright and screenwriter who was gay and a non-believer. His plays often dealt with emotional repression and the human condition without invoking religious solutions. Rattigan focused on the psychological depth of his characters. He found meaning in human relationships and the struggles of the individual.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons is an American actor best known for his role as Sheldon Cooper on ‘The Big Bang Theory’. He was raised in the Lutheran church but has stated that he does not attend church anymore. Parsons has described his beliefs as ill-defined and prefers to keep an open mind. He focuses on his work and his personal relationships rather than organized religious practice.

Please share your thoughts on this list in the comments.