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"Brothers & Sisters"' Luke MacFarlane Comes Out
***Article contains some minor plot spoilers about Brothers & Sisters*** To the list of recently out actors and singers including Neil Patrick Harris, T.R. Knight and Lance Bass, add the name of Canadian actor Luke MacFarlane, better known to gay fans as the man who plays Scotty Wandell on the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters. After several years of speculation about MacFarlane’s sexuality, the actor confirmed he is in fact gay in an interview with the Canadian paper Globe and Mail. "I don't know what will happen professionally," MacFarlane said. "That is the fear, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth. ... There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what's been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself - so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way." The 28-year-old native of London, Ontario, appears to have decided to make the announcement he is in gay in part due to an upcoming storyline on Brothers & Sisters that involves his character being “married” to Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys), his boyfriend on the show. "From a standing outside perspective, and also as someone who is gay, I think that it's a very exciting time," MacFarlane said. "How exciting that we're saying, 'This can be part of the cultural fabric, now,' because it is two series regulars, two people that you invite into your home and you see every week. It's telling of the beginning of more waves and I'm very proud of that." Fans of the show will also be excited to note that MacFarlane has been made a series regular on the ABC drama, meaning the character will be staying on the show for quite some time and should be getting more screen time. Scotty’s relationship with Kevin has already generated enormous fan interest and broken new ground due to the show’s frank (for U.S. network television) handling of Kevin and Scotty’s love-life, including numerous kisses, something still of a rarity for American audiences.
Kevin and Scotty won’t legally be married as California, where the show is set, doesn’t currently allow same-sex marriage; rather they'll have a civil union. Still, MacFarlane's coming out may heighten interest in what was already something of a history-making moment of television: two gay series regulars getting married on network TV drama.
"Most importantly, in portraying gay people, the more we realize it's just like portraying anybody else and, gay marriage, it's not about two people being gay, it's about two people who love each other and who have decided to commit to each other for the exact same reasons any other couple would get married," MacFarlane said to the Globe and Mail. MacFarlane’s coming out marks the first time an out actor on network television has played such a prominent gay role. Neil Patrick Harris and T. R. Knight, two of television's other out gay actors, both play heterosexuals. Bryan Batt's gay character on Mad Men and Mario Cantone's on Men in Trees are very small parts. When asked by the Globe and Mail about whether or not he was currently dating anyone, MacFarlane declined to answer. However, he did add that like his character Scotty, MacFarlane would like to get married one day. After high school, MacFarlane attended Juilliard, then went on to roles in the miniseries Tanner on Tanner and then the film Kinsey. Before landing the part of Scotty on Brothers & Sisters, MacFarlane played Pvt. Frank 'Dim' Dumphy, on FX’s short-lived war drama Over There. He also had a part in the Fox failed pilot Supreme Courtships as Allen, one of six Supreme Court clerks. MacFarlane recently filmed a television movie for the Canadian Broadcast Company called Iron Road. In the historical drama, MacFarlane plays James Nichol’s, the son of a wealthy railroad tycoon. The actor's character meets and falls in love with a young Chinese woman thereby making him the movie’s romantic lead. In short, the ranks of out actors in the prime of their careers has added another new and noteworthy name. Submitted by on Tue, 2008-04-15 10:19. |
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BRAVO!
I am so thrilled and happy for him, but also for all of us
We need to see more gay men who are actors find the truth within themselves and come out knowing that we the fans and the viewing public especially gay viewers will support them in any way we can.
I am so proud of Luke and the decision he has made at this time. Also I am so proud of ABC and the producers of Brothers and Sisters who have had the courage to create and support a gay storyline that contains all the realistic ups and downs that any relationship has and including a commitment ceremony in this season's finale.
Compliments to Luke MacFarlane
I appreciate his honesty. He didn't HAVE to come out, but did it anyway, because he wanted to.
I thought he was already out
Yes, weird.
Yes, I too, thought that he was already out. Strange. Really, I thought it was clear. Anyway, cool thing! Congratulations!
I wonder then if he asked Matthew Rhys, if he was okay with this. It could lead to speculations about Matthew.. I mean.. I don't know what I mean..
R.I.P. - Heath Ledger [1979 - 2008] - beautiful Matilda!
me too
Excellent Luke!
"I wonder then if he asked Matthew Rhys, if he was okay with this. It could lead to speculations about Matthew.. I mean.. I don't know what I mean.. "
I don't know what you mean either. I am sure that Matthew is thrilled for Luke as I am also certain this is no surprise to him. They are actors playing roles on a TV show, not lovers. He doesn't need Matthew's permission to be who he is.
I am delighted for Luke both personally and professionally. It sounds like ABC gave him enough professional assurances about his future on the show that he was more comfortable opening up to the public. Good for them and great for him!
Scotty and Kevin for the long haul works great for me.
Excellent indeed!
Err, that's NOT what I meant.. I didn't mean to imply in my vagueness, that Matthew wouldn't be thrilled by the news (and like you said it sure wasn't a surprise) nor that he needed his permission to come out. But there have been speculations about Matthew's sexuality since B&S, so now it could multiply the curiousness. I mean Matthew could potentially see this as harmful for his career. I don't know! I was just wondering. I don't know Matthew Rhys. So maybe he doesn't have that worry. Good for him!
Love the show! Love Matthew's character.
Re: Matthew
Based on interviews of Matthew I've read, I don't think he really cares about that. He has said he's straight, but if people persist in believing otherwise, so be it. I think Matthew cares about doing good work and doing justice to a groundbreaking role -- and on both counts he's succeeding wonderfully IMO.
Matthew Rhys is from the group of British actors
Quite simply...homophobic actors NEVER...
take on gay roles. If they did, they wouldn't be homophobic. True no? :)
dgd417
well...
well...
Well, some do
Some actors who are very uncomfortable with being perceived as gay will still play a gay part. Guy Burnett who played Craig Dean on the brittish soap Hollyoaks was very clearly uncomfortable with being too closely associated with his character.
But Matthew's always been great, and Luke is also great, too, since even gay actors are sometimes afraid to play gay. Good for Luke for coming out officially. I'm sure it'll make him very happy.
Matthew Rhys
The only thing that he felt embarrassing was all of his family came over to the theatre and watched his naked play.
He spoke about this in an interview.
And he also mentioned about Luke, he said he was a great actor.
I'm so proud of Luke!!
I'm so proud of Luke!! This article has made my day! He hasn't done an interview for over 2 years and finally the newest interview he does and he comes out and confirms my suspicions that he became a series regular on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters".
And to answer MHCMarty, a lot of the blogs and comments on websites were basing on speculation...and after a lot of "operator" blogging, that "speculation" became "fact" when in turn, it was never confirmed.
KC
Maintainer of Luke MacFarlane Onlinehmmm....
Coming out can be so scary. Congratulations to MacFarlane.
This annoucement may not seem like a big deal to some, but it reminds me of the many years that I wasted in the closet. I call it a waste because the not only required lying and supression, but it also delayed my getting to know who the heck I was outside of this role.
I am still figuring that one out, but feel great that people of all orientations can have another well-known face to call "gay" on network TV as there are too few as is.
Coming attractions: Guillermo's Cultural Guillotine
http://springintoaction.typepad.com/cultural_guillotine/
<Congratulations but at the same time
it is kind of sad that this causes such a big stir. We are in the 21st century and actors are still terrified that their sexual orientation will cause a problem with their career. They are actors for heaven sake. Just because a person is gay does not mean he or she cannot play certain roles, that is why they get paid the big bucks, to act.
Cheers
JBE
JBE--you are certainly right
but you also have to realize that before an actor can play a role he or she must be hired and the people who do the hiring are not always as logical as you are. On stage it's not usually a big deal, but in movies and television it can be pretty grim. Though it's gotten better over the last few years there are many directors, casting people, agents, managers etc... who won't work with openly gay actors. They won't give them a chance to do roles because they won't work with gays or lesbians--or even actors who are just rumoured to be gay or lesbian. Even some filmakers who are reputed to be really progressive, who make gay positive films won't hire gay actors for the leading characters. If you look what happened before Neil Patrick Harris came out it was in a large part because of one gay-phobic PR person. It's sad but this is still somewhat common.
Yeah!!
I am absolutely ecstatic that MacFarlane is a series regular now. I have already been checking the credits to see his status. He has been in 17 episodes which is only five less than the actress that plays Rebecca (she's a regular). And I love Scotty. His relationship with Kevin is one of the best parts of the show.
Doubly awesome!
Congrats to him for coming out -- on his own terms with candor and humor. The only thing better -- that he's now a series regular on B&S. Hurrah for more Scotty/Kevin storylines to come!
Good
And this comes as a suprise to who, exactly?
I thought he was already out.
It's like Elton John coming out. There were maybe three or four people globally who were surprised, and they all lived in the rainforests of Malaysia.
Re: Luke
No, Luke had never publicly acknowledged that he was gay. The claims that he was gay came from the tabloids only.
And I don't think whether it was surprising or not is the issue. The importance is that he is openly coming out as a gay person in a time where many people stay in the closet. Any visibility helps, and since he is now going to be a series regular on a popular ABC show, I think it's a very significant coming out.
Good for him, I say.
Indeed
The way he's talked about in the gay press, I had no idea he's wasn't "officially" out. But I guess it was one of those Anderson Cooper things.
Kudos to him then!
I guess this is considered OFFICIAL...
Homophobe actors playing gay..
Add to that George Michael. I mean who did NOT 'know' he was gay? Love him!
Like others have said, there are straight actors who have been playing gay who are not so comfortable with being associated too closely to the gay roles they've had. I'm thinking about Kerr Smith. I think I remember reading that he wasn't encouraging the writers to have 'Jack' kiss more often than necessary in one Dawson's Creek season.. Or at least it was something along those lines.
And didn't Dennis Quaid had some sort of salacious remark about Brokeback Mountain, even though he had played gay in Far From Heaven. ..
I`m such a proud fan of his!!
Well,guess I just said that out loud. *^ _ ^*
Good for Luke!!
He's such a cute guy and I always preferred Kevin/Scotty over Kevin/Jason and I'm so happy Luke is a series regular now.
Regards,
dgd417
this is Fabulous!!!
this doesn't change my opinion
You know what? This Hollywood coming out hasn't changed my opinion of Luke MacFarlane the actor or Scotty the character. I loved the character and respected the actor before and continue to do so after. He gave a thoughtful interview to the Globe & Mail so I guess I now know a little more about him than I did before.
It's funny how this story has captured the headlines in the American gay blogosphere, yet here in Canada, it hasn't attracted much attention at all. On the Globe and Mail article webpage itself, there are only 10 comments, most of which don't even discuss his admission about being gay. One person wrote in about a typo in the article.
Totally Rocks!
Good for him! What makes this even more magnificent is that we now have such a growing stable of out, "I don't give a toss who knows" gay actors emerging in some high-profile Hollywood roles. This would've been unimaginable 15 years ago.
I hope for the day when it almost becomes obligatory for younger gay actors to acknowledge their orientation, and the closet thing to be an absurd remnant of past, repressive eras. Let's hope that day is not too far off!
--Greg
I wonder whose next.
I wonder whose next. Cooper? Miller? That certain actor on a daytime soap?
Good for Luke.
Welcome to the club
Welcome to the club Luke!!!!! Please pick up your card in 3 days!!
www.arthurinthegarden.com
www.downtownraleigh.com
Michael Musto will take all the credit
Love it and am so excited.....
This doesn't change my opinion of him at all. Gay, straight, or whatever- he is still doing a wonderful job with the character and is a wonderful acotr. I am still so excited for Brothers and Sisters season premiere. I love all the Walker family and wish that I was a member of the family too. I found this awesome video that recaps last season and you can watch it at:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/brothersandsisters/index?pn=index
Enjoy!!!