Page 1 / 2 - Home

AE: It's really not much better now. We recently did an article on AfterElton.com about the decline of gay characters on television. There are only four new gay characters on the network schedule for this fall, and only four returning gay characters--and some of those are extremely small supporting roles. What do you think is contributing to that?
JG: You know, I wasn't even aware that it was like that. I'm really not in Hollywood much anymore. Smallville films in Vancouver and I'm on the East Coast doing plays when we're on hiatus. In fact, I just finished a play in Philadelphia, Some Men, where I played six different gay men. As far as I knew, there were plenty of gay roles! That was with director Terrance McNally, by the way, the same director from Love! Valour! Compassion!

AE: For which you won a Tony Award.
JG: Yes.

AE: That must be a very affirming thing, to win an award for something you enjoy so much.
JG: It really was.

AE: You've played a large variety of roles in your career. What are your favorites?
JG: Oh, wow. I've had the opportunity to play so many great parts. Lets' see... I'd have to say 52 Pick-up. It was just so much fun. I got to play such a completely amoral character. Oh, the things I got to do to Ann Margaret! I tell you! [laughs]

AE: What affect, if any, has being openly gay had on your career?
JG: Not much, really. I work steadily, which is good. I love working.

AE: What's your take on the state of gay Hollywood today? Do you have any thoughts about closeted actors?
JG: It takes an awful lot of energy. I'd think it would affect your work negatively.

AE: You've been on Smallville as Lionel Luthor for 6 years now. What has that experience been like for you?
JG: It's just been wonderful. It's been great to have a job that long, and to play such an interesting, fun character. And then on hiatus, I get to do a play every year, so that's just been wonderful.

AE: Last season, you got to switch places with Clark. What was that experience like?
JG: It was really hard! Much harder than I expected to get the hang of that part. I'm so used to playing the bad guy, to being secretive and looking around and stuff, so to just stand there and be heroic... We had a lot fun with that.

AE: Did you see Superman Returns? What did you think of Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor?
JG: Oh, he's terrific. It was wonderful. He's a terrific actor, Kevin Spacey.

AE: I have it on good authority that you're "the world's nicest guy," yet you seem to play an awful lot of villains. How does that happen?
JG: I think it started with 52 Pick-up . It was such a successful villain part that I just got known for that.

AE: You've worked with Joel Schumacher twice, Woody Allen, and Jonathan Demme. Those are some pretty big power players in Hollywood. Do you have a dream director you'd like to work with?
JG: Who do I want to work with? Hmm. Spike Jones.

AE: So what's next for you professionally?
JG: We're about to start the first episode of season 6 [of Smallville], so I do that until mid-April, and every hiatus that I've had, I've gone and done a play in between. So on the horizon is Smallville, and come April, hopefully another piece of theater.

AE: You've come a long way from Salisbury, Maryland. Any advice for young gay actors?
JG: Just try to work as much as you can, make it about the work. Keep yourself versatile. Go every direction you can.

You know, I think I'll be back in Salisbury on October 14 for the Alzheimer's Walk that I try to do every year.

AE: You do a lot of work for Alzheimer's research. Why is that issue close to your heart?
JG: My dad had Alzheimer's. I found out after my mother died. I guess he'd been starting to show signs that dementia was beginning while she was alive, but she, like many spouses do, will cover for their mates. So after she died, he had a pretty rapid decline mentally, which I was not willing to look at or accept. Finally, when it got so bad, I called the Alzheimer's Association and they gave me a great deal of help, so I'm trying to tell people that story when they start to see funny signs in their loved one to not ignore it, because there is some early treatment that can delay it, hold it down. There's some medication that they believe slows the process.

So I just want to make people aware that those last times before the memory goes are precious, and to make the most of them, and not pretend like they're not happening.

Page 1 / 2 - Home