I just found this out recently. How many people know that he was gay? In fact, he used to live with his "companion" near the studio.

I heard he was gay a few years ago.

...but in those days (40 years ago), if anyone ever came "out"...or the slightest HINT of homosexuality in any actor was bandied about in the media, that would have been enough to destroy Rorke's career. Fortunately, he knew how to be indiscreet-- and nobody outside his close circle of friends, acquaintances and lovers knew his sexual preferences. He was a well-respected character actor [and "Dr. Bellows"] to most people...and THAT'S how he wanted to be known.

ea, you're right. I heard a few years ago that Raymond Burr (Perry Mason, Ironside) was also gay; and; in fact he made up a whole story about how he had been maried for years, and his wife had died of cancer.

And Amanda Blake (Kitty on "Gunsmoke" ) was also gay, and they only found out after she died.


And George Takei (Sulu on "Star Trek" for all the other trekys out there) recently announced that he's gay.

...but in those days (40 years ago), if anyone ever came "out"...or the slightest HINT of homosexuality in any actor was bandied about in the media, that would have been enough to destroy Rorke's career. Fortunately, he knew how to be indiscreet-- and nobody outside his close circle of friends, acquaintances and lovers knew his sexual preferences. He was a well-respected character actor [and "Dr. Bellows"] to most people...and THAT'S how he wanted to be known.
:yeahthat

I think you actually meant 'discreet' and not 'indiscreet' :lol: but minor difference. :) It's quite fortunate, yes, since Hayden Rorke was *perfect* in the role of Dr. (Col.) Alfred Bellows. If he would have been released from the role just because he was homosexual, it would have been a big loss to I Dream of Jeannie. As Larry Hagman (Captain/Major Anthony Nelson) said on Larry King Live:

KING: Hayden Rorke, what was he like to work with?

HAGMAN: He was the glue that kept the show together, I swear.

KING: Really?

HAGMAN: Absolutely.

:yeahthat

I think you actually meant 'discreet' and not 'indiscreet' :lol: but minor difference. :) It's quite fortunate, yes, since Hayden Rorke was *perfect* in the role of Dr. (Col.) Alfred Bellows. If he would have been released from the role just because he was homosexual, it would have been a big loss to I Dream of Jeannie. As Larry Hagman (Captain/Major Anthony Nelson) said on Larry King Live:

KING: Hayden Rorke, what was he like to work with?

HAGMAN: He was the glue that kept the show together, I swear.

KING: Really?

HAGMAN: Absolutely.
What I'd like to know is is Hayden Roarke still alive? I always liked the Dr. Bellows character that he played. I know Barbara Huffman who played Jeannie is about 72. If she still looks as nice in her jeannie outfit that shows her midsection as she did in the latest I Dream of Jeannie movie, that'd be pretty good for someone her age. Is there a board that has I Dream of Jeannie fan fiction stories?
God bless, Jason Irelan

What I'd like to know is is Hayden Roarke still alive? I always liked the Dr. Bellows character that he played. I know Barbara Huffman who played Jeannie is about 72. If she still looks as nice in her jeannie outfit that shows her midsection as she did in the latest I Dream of Jeannie movie, that'd be pretty good for someone her age. Is there a board that has I Dream of Jeannie fan fiction stories?
God bless, Jason Irelan

I Dream of Jeannie fanfiction stories can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/jeanniesisters

You can also find additional stories at http://www.fanfiction.net/ --> TV Shows --> I Dream of Jeannie

Even more stories can be found if you search for such fanfiction stories on Google (http://www.google.com/)

Barbara Eden played Jeannie in the original series as well as in the two reunion made-for-TV movies, I Dream of Jeannie - 15 Years Later (1985) and I Still Dream of Jeannie (1991). She still looked great in her harem outfit in 1991, but by today she wouldn't be able to pull it off any more and even she has admitted that. Not through any fault of hers but even the girl who played Jeannie isn't immune to the effects of time, unfortunately.

Hayden Rorke's last ever TV/movie role was playing Dr. Alfred Bellows in the 1985 reunion movie... he died shortly before the 1991 movie. It was very unfortunate and regrettable. He was just perfect in the role of Dr. Bellows.

Please do not hesitate to post if you have more questions.

I Dream of Jeannie fanfiction stories can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/jeanniesisters

You can also find additional stories at http://www.fanfiction.net/ --> TV Shows --> I Dream of Jeannie

Even more stories can be found if you search for such fanfiction stories on Google (http://www.google.com/)

Barbara Eden played Jeannie in the original series as well as in the two reunion made-for-TV movies, I Dream of Jeannie - 15 Years Later (1985) and I Still Dream of Jeannie (1991). She still looked great in her harem outfit in 1991, but by today she wouldn't be able to pull it off any more and even she has admitted that. Not through any fault of hers but even the girl who played Jeannie isn't immune to the effects of time, unfortunately..

Actually it was Barbara Huffman who played Jeannie because that was her real name; and since I hate stage names and don't see the need for actors and actresses to use them, that's what I like to refer to her as.
God bless, Jason Irelan

ea, you're right. I heard a few years ago that Raymond Burr (Perry Mason, Ironside) was also gay; and; in fact he made up a whole story about how he had been maried for years, and his wife had died of cancer.

And Amanda Blake (Kitty on "Gunsmoke" ) was also gay, and they only found out after she died.


And George Takei (Sulu on "Star Trek" for all the other trekys out there) recently announced that he's gay.

You can add Deidre Hall to the list. Also there is continuing speculation about Jack Benny's sexual orientation.

Actually it was Barbara Huffman who played Jeannie because that was her real name; and since I hate stage names and don't see the need for actors and actresses to use them, that's what I like to refer to her as.
God bless, Jason Irelan

Fine :happyface

This is OT from IDOJ but going with actors whom I always thought might be gay were Farley Granger and Roddy McDowell. Just a feeling I have ;)

I got a question. I noticed that there were a few I Dream of Jeannie episodes where someone would be calling Tony Nelson's house, and Jeannie would lower her voice and pretend to be Major Nelson but didn't sound exactly like Major Nelson. However, there was the episode where she changed Major Nelson's to make him sound like someone who was a good singer, so how come she didn't do that for herself instead of what she did do when trying to pretend to sound like Major Nelson? Also, does anyone know if Barbara Huffman still looks nearly as attractive in her jeannie outfit as she did in her last I Dream of Jeannie movie she was in? Or has time and age finally caught up with her?
God bless, Jason Irelan

...in his book, "The Jack Benny Show", writer Milt Josefsberg [who wrote for Benny for over 30 years] insisted that Jack was NOT "gay". He ended the chapter about Jack's supposed sexual preferences by saying, "If Jack Benny was homosexual, then Golda Meir was an Egyptian spy" {Meir was Israel's Prime Minister at the time the book was written}.

:typing:

Thanks for the plug to our website - we have a lot of fact files on there, too.

Hayden Rorke died in August, 1987 - right between the two reunion movies. Yes, he was gay, but as someone pointed out - that just wasn't discussed back in the 1960s.

Barbara Eden still looks FANTASTIC, for a woman more than 70 years old. Though she hasn't been in her Jeannie outfit in a long time, I'll bet she'd still look fantastic in it. We have some new pictures of her, taking within the past year, on our website, along with pictures of Larry Hagman and Bill Daily taken within the last year as well. Barbara, Larry and Bill are all alive and fairly healthy.

For the record -
Barton MacLane died in 1969, Vinton Hayworth died in 1970, Emmaline Henry died in 1979, and Hayden Rorke died in 1987.

....Philip Ober {"General Stone" in the pilot and fourth episode} passed away in 1980.

:tv:

I believe Philip Ober (who was once married to Vivian Vance) was also gay. Small world, isn't it?

You can add Deidre Hall to the list.

I suppose that you have proof that Deidre Hall is gay? If you can post a link to a verifiable source, Please do so. I've been a fan of hers for years and this is the first I've heard about it.

I suppose that you have proof that Deidre Hall is gay? If you can post a link to a verifiable source, Please do so. I've been a fan of hers for years and this is the first I've heard about it.

It was extensively discussed on a soap opera forum that I happened to come across, I don't remember which one now, sorry

It was extensively discussed on a soap opera forum that I happened to come across, I don't remember which one now, sorry

Ok, I appreciate the reply. For now I'll just consider it a rumour.

The same goes for Dick Sargent and Paul Lynde of Bewitched. Well, Paul Lynde was never really discreet about it. But they were all fine actors, and fine human beings as well.

Wasn't Phillip Ober (General Stone) married to Vivian Vance (Ethel from I Love Lucy) in real life? If so, did they stay married or ever get divorced?

OH MY GOD! SO F##KING WHAT IF THEY WERE GAY???
Why are you even discussing their sexual prefrence on here?
"Oh he was gay!" "I didn't know?" And your point is???
Does that make him different or strange now??? Do you now feel different about him & the others?
Is your childhood image of them ruined? Get over it!
NEWS FLASH DEAR: Most actors are either Gay, Bisexual or Druggies!
You shouldn't even be bringing that to this board. Their personal life has no place here! And if any of them were alive today & they saw you posting this crap, they would be really upset & puzzled as to why you need to bring up their personal life which for the record has never been proven! Because you have never ever heard any of them admit that they were in fact gay and also it's none of yours or anyone else's business!!

While your at it, why don't you just tell us about how Larry Hagman still loves to smoke pot and have wild sex with his wife Maj?

If your going to gossip on here, how about telling us your real name, where you live, what you do for a living & who you had sex with lately?

OH MY GOD! SO F##KING WHAT IF THEY WERE GAY???
Why are you even discussing their sexual prefrence on here?
"Oh he was gay!" "I didn't know?" And your point is???
Does that make him different or strange now??? Do you now feel different about him & the others?
Is your childhood image of them ruined? Get over it!
NEWS FLASH DEAR: Most actors are either Gay, Bisexual or Druggies!
You shouldn't even be bringing that to this board. Their personal life has no place here! And if any of them were alive today & they saw you posting this crap, they would be really upset & puzzled as to why you need to bring up their personal life which for the record has never been proven! Because you have never ever heard any of them admit that they were in fact gay and also it's none of yours or anyone else's business!!

While your at it, why don't you just tell us about how Larry Hagman still loves to smoke pot and have wild sex with his wife Maj?

If your going to gossip on here, how about telling us your real name, where you live, what you do for a living & who you had sex with lately?
Take it easy. If you don't like the topic, move on. Don't blast members. Members always discuss personal lives here, and everywhere for that matter. TMZ, Enquirer, Access Hollywood, you name it.

Ok fine! So Janice are you a Lesbian?

Ok fine! So Janice are you a Lesbian?
We don't get personal, with each other, on this site. I'm not going back and forth with you. If you don't like the topic, move on. End it.

^ Maybe a few days off will make you listen to an Administrator, who has been telling you to stop. For anyone wondering, I deleted the last blast.

...I believe no matter WHAT Hayden Rorke was, he never allowed his sexual preferences or private life to overshadow his professional career and acting abilities. From what I've heard, he was a nice man- and as Larry Hagman once told Larry King, "He was the glue that held ['I DREAM OF JEANNIE'] together".

Leave the "sordid" side of his life for those who wish to wallow in it....

peacesign:

Well said, TV Knowledge Fan!

To add to this Hayden Rorke was a great actor, and was so good at Dr. Bellows. Who the hell cares what his sexuality was.

http://www.lilmora.com/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=30

To the last poster - the people WERE or ARE normal - period. What anyone does in the privacy of his or her own home is nobody's business. If they were normal "in every other way" then there would also be a lot of straight and / or married couples that would be normal "in every other way" too for participating in the same kinds of acts or other acts some may find "out of the "norm" - or to put it in another way - any act those doing the judging haven't done themselves. If we all knew what went on behind each others closed doors in their own homes I doubt anyone would be safe from being considered weird or unnatural in some respect (sexual or otherwies).

Furthermore, the reason this topic is being discussed is simply because people are curious about celebrities personal lives. The important thing is the kind of character a person has and the calabor of work a person does. In this case "TV Knowledge Fan" summed it up best:

I believe no matter WHAT Hayden Rorke was, he never allowed his sexual preferences or private life to overshadow his professional career and acting abilities. From what I've heard, he was a nice man- and as Larry Hagman once told Larry King, "He was the glue that held ['I DREAM OF JEANNIE'] together".

Again - well said "TV Knowledge Fan."

thank you.

It's so funny to me that after all these years, people still look at being gay as weird. And everyone wonders why the state of the world is the way it is today. :rolleyes: