Best Supporting Actor

The Supporting Actor seldom gets the glory. They don’t end up on the cover of People’s Sexiest Man Alive issue. Heck, it’s rare enough that they get their own story line as opposed to their usual job propping up some other actor. On top of that, when people recognize them, it usually involves mistaking them for their accountant. Will the indignities never end?

But there is one thing that’s definitely true about our Supporting Actor nominees – these out gay men often steal the scene, if not the whole show. It’s not that they’re classic leading men – though some certainly have what it takes. It’s often the humanity these actors bring to the table that lets us into the story.

Bryan Batt (Mad Men)

As conflicted, closeted Sal, Bryan Batt defines the pain of being a gay man in the pre-Stonewall, 1960s America. Okay, the pain of a middle-class white guy living in New York City.

He is the "artist" counterpart to Don Draper’s womanizing advertising executive, which was a nice code back then. But then he had to go and muddy the waters by entering a loveless marriage where everyone is clearly miserable.

In the opening episode of the current season, Sal was finally on his way to getting himself a little something when a fire alarm went off before he did. Fortunately for viewers and fans of plot momentum, the fire escape turned his room into a Movie of the Week for his boss to catch. How that shakes out is yet to be seen.

Rex Lee (Entourage)

Playing that classic gay role, the put-upon gay assistant to the powerful executive, Lloyd somehow manages to come out on top every once in a while. While power agent Ari Gold (modeled on Rahm Emmanuel’s brother) always seems to score the short term wins, Lloyd occasionally buys himself a present with Ari’s credit card for his troubles. And we’ve even seen him turn a dog sitting assignment into a naked gay pool party.

This season, Ari and Lloyd have a new deal – Lloyd submits to a fresh new hell, and Ari makes him an agent instead of just an assistant. So far, we’ve just seen the fresh new hell, but we’ll be looking for Lloyd to come out on top eventually.

Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters)

Last year this Canadian cutie's character was more likely to be serving appetizers than advancing his own story. But it’s a testament to the actor that people were so frustrated that his character wasn't on screen more.

As Kevin’s husband, he, like all the Walker spouses, is a secondary character. But the cool thing about what Luke brings to the table, besides those twinkling blue eyes, is that he’s both endearing and nurturing, yet passionate as well.

The two iconic Kevin/Scotty moments this past year were Scotty crawling into the hospital bed with Kevin when he donated part of his liver, and the moment he and Kevin tore off each other’s shirts and thought they had to decide on a three-way with Kevin’s ex on the spot. That he managed to pull them both off with ease is proof positive of his scene stealing potential.

Jonathan Slavin (Better Off Ted)

Jonathan may be stealing scenes as Phil on Portia de Rossi’s sitcom, but it’s not the first time you may have noticed this character actor. He’s been in everything over the last fifteen years, from Wings to Bones. As one of those actors not unlike William H. Macy, he tends to inhabit his characters, and fade to the scenery. Not so in Better Off Ted.

To quote io9.com, all the main plots on Better Off Ted are “cutting into my Phil and Lem time.”

Despite the brilliant comic timing of Ellen’s wife, the real stars of the show are the science nerds that save the day. Phil and Lem are a total couple, even though they’re both straight. T

Who says gay actors can’t play straight characters?

Michael Urie (Ugly Betty)

Marc St. James may have actually taken the tired old trope of the bitchy gay assistant to a new high. With his partner in crime Amanda, he has perfect comedic timing, whether stalking an underwear model or mocking Betty. He also plays the perfect henchman to Willie, carrying out her evil plans while tempering their impact on innocent bystanders.

Marc was only meant to be around for a single episode, but Urie has infused the character with three seasons of fun, not to mention a remarkable depth. Ultimately,Marc just wants to be loved, despite the shenanigans he gets up to. It should be delightful fun seeing him remain an assistant this year while his nemesis Betty becomes an editor.