I was rereading the thread on Gay Men in Media, and it got me thinking. Who is/was the best gay character on television, film, etc.?

I'd say:

For comedy a tie between "Buddy Cole" from Kids in the Hall and "Just Jack" from Will and Grace.

A good role model for the young gay kids: "Will Truman" from Will and Grace.

Some that come to my mind:
The gay character on FALCONCREST , I remember his name but he was the first gay man I can remember on a primetime soap.

The young guy in A BEAUTIFUL THING This was a wonderful movie taht showed you could be young and comfortable with being gay, even when it's tough.

And on a more recent note, Geurwitz from PLAYMAKERS . He stood up for who he was eventually, and also was the first gay athlete in a primetime show that I can remember. This is especially significant since the audience of this show is mainly straight, young men. The importance of addressing this issue should not be underestimated.

Just a few that came to my mind.

[ November 28, 2003, 06:41 PM: Message edited by: wade n atlanta ]

Billy Douglas on OLTL! Played by hottie Ryan Phillips! I think that is his last name!

It's Ryan "Phillippe".

SW Rebel

Daniel Day Lewis in the film "My Beautiful Laundrette."

Yes SWRebel it is! Thank You! Don't you think he is F'N HOT!

I'm afraid I don't remember the name of the actor or the character that he played but it was in a show in the late 80s, early 90s, called Brothers. It's pilot episode was when the youngest brother comes out to his older siblings just right before his wedding! Anyway, the older gay male character eventually helps him along to accept himself and not care what anyone else thought. He was your stereotypical effeminate gay man but was also strong, intelligent, and successful. He was out and proud and didn't really give a damn about what other people thought. I think he's one of the best gay characters I've seen on TV, even better than Will or Jack.

Maurice Hall from E.M. Forster's Maurice, made in to a movie by Merchant/Ivory. Maurice (pronounced "Morris") goes from closted stockbroker to defiantly out gay man in 1910 England, rejecting the "Marry to hide your homosexuality" model of his first lover Clive. He rejects money and betrays his class to be with the man he loves, his gameskeeper Alec. Great book and an excellent movie.

Russell Crow's Character in "The Sum of Us" was pretty much it for me: hardworking, athletic, nice looking but humble and not arrogant, and responsible. His relationship with his dad before and after what happens (won't reveal) is awesome.

[ November 29, 2003, 07:04 AM: Message edited by: sjtexasex ]

I thought Terence Stamp's performance as the aging drag queen (or more correctly, trans-gendered performer) in "The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert" was incredibly powerful.

[ November 29, 2003, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: billsf ]

So many good choices, I agree with all of them so far.

I would say Ms. Hedwig. Such a specific, queer character with universal emotions everyone can relate to.

A true gay hero: John, the owner of Cockamamie's collectible shop, from the "Homer's Phobia" episode of The Simpsons. He saved the lives of Homer, Barney and Moe by scaring the out-of-control reindeer away with a mechanical Santa.

Bart: How'd you know that thing would work?
John: Well the sound is just brutal, and I figured reindeer would naturally be afraid of their cruel master Santa Claus. I mean, wouldn't you be? Ha!
wink

I'd have to agree with Jim Allen, re: Maurice, tho i'd have to add his lover Scudder as well.

I have to say I was never all that thrilled with Maurice (the book or the movie), although I'm a huge fan of A Room with a View and A Passage to India (books and movies). Not that it's bad or anything, but I didn't think the book or film had the same quality of Room or Passage.

I'd probably cast my vote for Jamie, the kid in Beautiful Thing.

I think that Keith on Six Feet Under is a good character for black gay men even though they portray him as being angry all time.

Homer: This is a miracle!
John: No, Homer, Ultra Suede's a miracle, this is just good timing.

The "Brothers" in the show were ex-football player Joe Waters (Robert Walden), older brother Lou (Brandon Maggart) and younger brother Cliff (Paul Regina). Cliff Waters was the brother who came out at his wedding in the pilot episode.

Philip Charles MacKenzie played Donald, Cliff's flamboyant, quick-witted friend who also had a heart.

[ November 30, 2003, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: gmjambear ]

Ugh. Him.

Sorry. I had a long road to hoe before I finally came out, and John Waters' guest appearance on The Simpsons was one of the obstacles. His appearance (along with the gay steel mill) led me to believe that all gay men were lisping fairies. Naturally, since a) I wasn't like that, and I didn't want to be like that, you can see why this was a problem.

I agree... Russell Crowe's character seemed to go away from the usual stereotypes of gays that you see in most film and television shows. I guess that is part of what made "The Sum of Us" such a great film.

I'm sorry you had that reaction, because the episode ranks in their all-time top 5 in my opinion. Besides, would you prefer Waylon Smithers as a role model? wink

First of all, I think Keith is a good character for the following: blacks, gays, men and any combination of the three groups.

Also, though I've seen only the first 3 episodes of Six Feet Under on DVD, the relationship between Keith (played by Matthew St. Patrick) and
David (Michael C. Hall) is very interesting and certainly way ahead of any so-called male couple realtionships on television. It's interesting that it hasn't been talked about in the media as often as Will not having a boyfriend for 5 years or the hype on QAF.

You'll have to see the rest of the episodes (for both seasons). The writers really put Keith and David through the ringer.

[quote]Cattledog:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sjtexasex:
[qb] I agree... Russell Crowe's character seemed to go away from the usual stereotypes of gays that you see in most film and television shows. I guess that is part of what made \"The Sum of Us\" such a great film. [/quote]God, I really hate to disagree, but I really hate this movie. I thought Crowe's performance was really forced to be the butch faggot. And the dad, no way any dad is like that! Even if there was, the performance was so condescending it was riciculous. I would never want a dad smothering me like that, huh?

"Best gay character"? Are we regarding fictional characters as "role models," like Poppy Bush did when he blasted the Simpsons as inferior to the Waltons?

In film (biopic division), I'd have to go with Gary Oldman's interpretation of Joe Orton in "Prick Up Your Ears." That man knew how to work those Underground tearooms. Pity about the hammer-wielding boyfriend.

TV: another vote for Buddy Cole (who was labeled as truly "punk" by Johnny Rotten, to Scott Thompson's delight).

[ December 01, 2003, 07:47 AM: Message edited by: Bill W ]

"Best" could mean a positive portrayal, or just a personal favorite, or most entertaining. There are different ways to look at it...why, it's just like voting for MVP!! wink

You have lost your pink card. Hand it over, now, you homoposer!

Gabriel (played by the adorable brother-of-Nev Christian Campbell) in the film "Trick".

I also love Matt (played by William McNamara) in "Doing Time on Maple Drive". I keep waiting for that to be released on DVD (or even VHS).

[ December 01, 2003, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

For entertainment value, I really like the character, Brian Kinney from Queer As Folk. I like that he plays a strong, aggressive, in your face, take it or leave it kind of character. His character is so strong in many areas but his inability to show love for for Justin and Michael in a "normal" fashion makes his character very human.

I liked the character Eli (played by Dan Bucatinsky) in All Over the Guy. The movie may be a bit cheesy, but I enjoy it and always seem to watch it when I come across it on HBO. Eli is a cutie and there are some great kissing scenes with hottie Richard Ruccolo who plays Tom.

I agree! He's cute, sincere and sweet. And he has the least hangups compared to other characters mentioned in this post. And he gets to go home with a go-go boy! HEL-lo!

Add my vote for Buddy. The skits where he managed his lesbian girlfirend's softball team while she was fighting in the Gulf War and the one where he gets a male slave are some of the funniest things I've ever seen.

narrator: With proper care, the male slave can live 60 to 70 years.
Buddy: What?? I was told they live 6 months. You know, like sea monkeys. Well, this one's going right back to the store.

I vote for Philip Seymour Hoffman as Scotty in Boogie Nights. The scene where he kissed Dirk and told him how he felt was so on the money as far as an actual reaction. Desire, pain, and shame all in one scene....and a cool but straight friend. Maybe the porn industry context was extreme, but I think alot of us have been where Scotty was. Its about the most honest scene of a gay guy in a movie that I've ever seen.

For camp, I love Harvey's portrayal of Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy.

Ste & Jaime in Beautiful Thing is touching.

I enjoyed Arye Gross & the guy who played the Native American character in Big Eden.

Terrance Stamp, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce in Pricilla.

The characters in Longtime Companion were awesome.

As other posters have mentioned, Buddy Cole!

I think the movie that really affected me the most was that 80's movie "Consenting Adult" starring Barry Tubb as Jeff and Marlo Thomas & Martin Sheen as his parents. At the time, I knew I liked guys, but hadn't had any experience with them yet and the movie hit home.

I love the go-go boy character in "Trick." That character is the one I can relate to the most. When most people think you are all about your body, when you REALLY get to know someone, there is a person w/ feelings on the inside. That's why I like him.

MDB, hee! Consenting Adult was important to me when I was coming out. It was getting to the point that I couldn't stand lying to my parents anymore and when I asked them to tape the movie for me while I went to a concert, that was a BIG hint. I came out "officially" not long after that.

Yeah, Big Eden was good too. A shout out to the straight guy who loved the Ayre Gross character but not in THAT way too.

Am I bitter that Christian Campbell shaved his chest hair for trick? Oh, you bet I am. B.i.t.t.e.r. But I loved his character in that nice bit of fluff. How weird to see JP Pitoc, the dancer, show up on Six Feet Under as a long-haired, tatooed guitarist in a band.

This one might be a bit obscure, but there was an ABC afterschool special in the late 80s/early 90s called "What If I'm Gay?", and it featured a trio of male high school buddies. 2 of them were jocks, and the third one was a more sensitive, "artistic type", whom we were led to believe would be the gay character. And then....shock....it turns out one of the jock guys is the gay one. I remember this as being pretty powerful stuff, for the time and for the fact it was an ABC afterschool special geared towards kids. I do recall it being met with a lot of protest from right-wing types at the time, too. But anyway, the actor who played the tortured, jock kid struggling with his sexuality did a pretty spectacular job, as I recall. Don't know his name or if he's done anything since. I also remember Ed Marinaro, of all people, playing the part of his high school gym teacher, and being surprisingly sensitive and helpful to the kid in his coming out process. Would love to know if this was one VHS or DVD anywhere; a shame it's not required viewing in high schools, as it certainly busts some stereotypes.

Kevin

And the straight guy, played by Tim DeKalb, also plays Jonsey in HBO's "Carninale"! He's so freakin' hot!

So Sonix calls me yesterday with an urgent message to read this thread. Poor boy is mixed up. The other night we were talking about the movie "Deliverance", which he has NEVER SEEN, and I was telling him about the Ned Beatty squeeling like a pig scene "Weeeeeeeeeeeeee" and that Burt Reynolds & Jon Voight also starred in this movie. I think Sonix just didn't hear past the "Weeeeeeeeee"!

I also enjoyed the movie "Edge of Seventeen".

I have to agree with you. I like Brian Kenney for all the reasons that you listed.

ChiSoxGuy, via the always helpful IMBD, it's listed that Richard Joseph Paul played Todd Bowers. Is this him (if you account for him aging):



If it is, he's mostly B-movie schlock.

I remember that After School Special. It was pretty daring for 1987, but now it'd probably seem really tame.

[ December 04, 2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

I totally agreee Billsf. That performance was outstanding. I'm suprised it didn't get an Oscar nod. Also thought Crowes character in 'The sums of us,' was great. Those Aussies really know how to write, perform etc. diverse characters. On the whole, the films from down under are ten times better than anything Hollywood puts out.

Well, if it's any consolation, "Priscilla" did win the Oscar that year for Best Costumes!
And deservedly so. Those geese head things in the final show at the hotel were amazing!

If you mean Tim DeKay, he also has a recurring guest role on Everwood as Tom Keys, the well-meaning but platitudinous minister who got divorced/dumped (his ex plays the scary mom on The O.C.), went blind, and remarried, roughly in that order.

Yes that's him! Tim DeKay. DeKay = hot actor, DeKalb = County in Georgia (which is the state I'm currently working on at work!) Sigh. Georgia on my mind...and not in a good way .

Thanks for the correction.

Someone mentioned "Doing Time On Maple Drive." I used to be in love with William McNamara.

I remember that. The winner came to the ceremony in a dress made out of gold credit cards. American Express I believe.

Jim, that sure looks like him. Thanks so much! A shame he never went on to bigger & better things, although looks like he's been a steadliy working actor up to present times, so I guess that's better than many in the biz. And you're right, that "What If I'm Gay" afterschool special is pretty tame by today's standards, although, when you think about it, what other TV movie addressing gay subjects have been made since then specifically for kids to watch? There's still such a phobia about schools making any mention of homosexuality to kids, (God forbid they should grow up to be....tolerant!). I'd still be thrilled if that "What If I'm Gay" special could be shown to kids, even today.

Kevin

I think we must not forget the actors who portrayed gay characters in classic movies, they were always characterized as being fussy and imperious, hats off to Franklin Pangborn, Billy De Wolfe, and television's Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde. These are the men who laid the foundation. Maybe one would argue that they were not perfect role models and they appeared to be the butt of the jokes, I think they played their roles with humor and nuanace. Letting the audience know that they were "different" without saying it.

[ December 06, 2003, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: blkbear ]

How about Messala in "Ben Hur"?

and I always thought that Artemis Gordon in "Wild, Wild West" was always checking out Jim West's chaps!

What about some not said but implied gay characters:

Batman and Robin; Robin was always sooo jealous when Batman would spend any time with Catwoman. Hmmm...

Frodo and Samwise; In the first instalation, Samwise gets invoplved when he sees the ring looking into Frodo's window. What was he doing hanging out at his window? Is he a hobit stalker? Samwise never leaves Frodo's side and will follow his love to the ends of Middle Earth. I was especially moved by the romantic stare at the end of the first movie. The love also continues to surface in the second.