Why have a heterosexual actor play a gay man? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Yong Fang · 01-29-2012, 07:07 AM

That is the question basically,

Why have a heterosexual actor play a gay man? On Modern Family, Cameron is probably my favorite character. He's hilarious. The most laughter I have gotten from this series (which is funny and a lot of laughs) was when Mitchell and Cameron were trying to get their daughter into this exclusive pre-school when it was a contest between them and another ethnic couple with Cameron saying he was part Native American and went into a stereotypical Indian beat (wuh-ah-huh-huh, whu-ah-huh-huh) with Mitchell looking into his hands in defeat. That was soooo funny, I rewound the DVD about four times, I was laughing so hard.

.

The LGBT wants them to have a passionate kiss or be shown in bed. The problem is that the actor who plays Cameron is heterosexual. I Googled his wife is she is gorgeous (put her on the show). Stonestreet is not gay, why did they choose him? For the record, heterosexuals do not want to kiss another man. Does Stonestreet talk different than Cameron? I have never seen a video of him as a real person outside of Cameron?

I know straight actors have played gay and vice versa. Robin Williams played a gay man in a film several years ago (which I never saw) and Nathan Lane, who plays the recurring role of Pepper on Modern Family played a heterosexual character in one of my favorite movies Mousehunt (but he only flirted with the women, not coitous). But it seems that it would be an easier fit hiring another gay actor. But I dont know.

Brian Damage · 01-29-2012, 12:14 PM

Neil Patrick Harris is another example of an actor who plays straight even though he is gay. I honestly do not see the big deal either way. If an actor is perfect for a part, he should get it, whether he is gay or straight. JMO

yankeesrj12 · 01-29-2012, 04:10 PM

Check out Eric Stonestreet in an episode of American Horror Story; it really shows how versatile he is as an actor.

EmoJoe · 02-09-2012, 02:31 AM

Why not?

andress_jade · 02-09-2012, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Neil Patrick Harris is another example of an actor who plays straight even though he is gay. I honestly do not see the big deal either way. If an actor is perfect for a part, he should get it, whether he is gay or straight. JMO

I agree with you. Me being a big fan of Frasier I had to comment on this. David Hyde Pierce is gay but he played a heterosexual on Frasier as Niles. His chemistry with Jane Leeves was nothing short of amazing. He had us all believing he was straight. He had me so convinced that once I did find out he was gay, I was shocked.

I love the pairing of Niles and Daphne, they are one of my favorite couples. That happened because DHP is such a good actor. So yes, if someone is right for a part regardless of their sexuality they should get it. DHP was perfect for the role of Niles. Enough said.

MRPITT · 02-09-2012, 12:48 PM

To cite Frasier again, I thought Dan Butler did a great job of playing Bulldog.

Sophia's Wrinkles · 02-09-2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

For the record, heterosexuals do not want to kiss another man.

While they may not receive any gratification from it, there are plenty of heterosexual actors who have kissed other actors of the same sex on screen. I don't think it's a big deal for them really. In the same way that two straight people can have an on-screen kiss and not share any feelings, the same is true for same sex actors who are not necessarily gay.

In general, I think people are cast more for their ability to act the part and become the character (and of course, since it's Hollywood, their looks) than for any consideration of what their sexuality may be in real life.

OH Nuts! · 02-09-2012, 07:17 PM

A good actor can play a role that is totally different than their own personal life experience. That is why they are good actors. A heterosexual actor might want a role playing someone gay; to show what good actors they are (as in Tom Hanks Philadelphia and Sean Penn in Milk). If an actor found a role offensive, they can always turn it down. I'm sure for every role there are at least 10 applicants (probably a lot more.)

factsoflife · 02-09-2012, 07:17 PM

Because it is called ACTING. As long as the actor is comfortable playing the role and does a good job it doesn't matter what their personal life is.

On another note, questions like this make me very angry.

01-29-2012, 07:07 AM	#1
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Why have a heterosexual actor play a gay man? That is the question basically, Why have a heterosexual actor play a gay man? On Modern Family, Cameron is probably my favorite character. He's hilarious. The most laughter I have gotten from this series (which is funny and a lot of laughs) was when Mitchell and Cameron were trying to get their daughter into this exclusive pre-school when it was a contest between them and another ethnic couple with Cameron saying he was part Native American and went into a stereotypical Indian beat (wuh-ah-huh-huh, whu-ah-huh-huh) with Mitchell looking into his hands in defeat. That was soooo funny, I rewound the DVD about four times, I was laughing so hard. . The LGBT wants them to have a passionate kiss or be shown in bed. The problem is that the actor who plays Cameron is heterosexual. I Googled his wife is she is gorgeous (put her on the show). Stonestreet is not gay, why did they choose him? For the record, heterosexuals do not want to kiss another man. Does Stonestreet talk different than Cameron? I have never seen a video of him as a real person outside of Cameron? I know straight actors have played gay and vice versa. Robin Williams played a gay man in a film several years ago (which I never saw) and Nathan Lane, who plays the recurring role of Pepper on Modern Family played a heterosexual character in one of my favorite movies Mousehunt (but he only flirted with the women, not coitous). But it seems that it would be an easier fit hiring another gay actor. But I dont know.

01-29-2012, 12:14 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Neil Patrick Harris is another example of an actor who plays straight even though he is gay. I honestly do not see the big deal either way. If an actor is perfect for a part, he should get it, whether he is gay or straight. JMO
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-09-2012, 02:31 AM	#4
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Why not?
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

02-09-2012, 07:17 PM	#9
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,744	Because it is called ACTING. As long as the actor is comfortable playing the role and does a good job it doesn't matter what their personal life is. On another note, questions like this make me very angry.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

01-29-2012, 04:10 PM	#3
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	Check out Eric Stonestreet in an episode of American Horror Story; it really shows how versatile he is as an actor.

02-09-2012, 12:48 PM	#6
MRPITT Member Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2011 Posts: 1,678	To cite Frasier again, I thought Dan Butler did a great job of playing Bulldog.

02-09-2012, 07:17 PM	#8
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	A good actor can play a role that is totally different than their own personal life experience. That is why they are good actors. A heterosexual actor might want a role playing someone gay; to show what good actors they are (as in Tom Hanks Philadelphia and Sean Penn in Milk). If an actor found a role offensive, they can always turn it down. I'm sure for every role there are at least 10 applicants (probably a lot more.)