Stars: November 2006 Archives

It is GREAT to see John Stamos enjoying a second wave of television success on "ER" which is enjoying a ratings resurgence this season. This impossibly good looking man also stars in the A&E movie "Wedding Wars" (premiering Dec. 11) as a gay wedding planner who goes on strike for the right to marry. Stamos, who kisses his partner TWICE in the film, is hoping that because of his participation, Middle America will start watching the film...and won't be able to stop. For so many of us, he had us at hello (even when he had the mullet!).

Stamos is on The cover of the December 5 issue of The Advocate features the sexy Stamos (sigh) and I wanted to quickly share some of his interview:
"I was excited to get it," Stamos says of the role. "I think I'm actually one of the right guys to deliver this kind of message. I think the gay community will see the film and love it and hopefully me in the role, and that people that are not gay will hopefully want to follow my story and not turn it off 10 minutes in. I felt like it was a safe way to get people to see this and hear a really important message. Hopefully they'll take the trip and be able to look at both sides.
On preparing for the role of a gay man: "It's funny, I never approached it as being different than any other role. I'd never kissed a guy, and i was thinking that'd be really weird for me. In "Cabaret" [on Broadway], I was physical with the other dancers on stage, but "Wedding Wars" was a couple of full kisses...I just approached him as a guy who is in love. Initially, it's not about this issue of gay marriage. It's just the simple fact that his brother gets to have something that he can't have and why shouldn't he get to have it? He can plan a wedding but he can't have one himself."

On understanding homosexuality: "Homosexuality has never been an issue to me. I never really judged it. I remember a dear friend coming out to me when we were younger. It didn't freak me out at all....And he said something that maybe sounds simple, but it was really revelatory to me at the time. He said, 'You know how you feel when you see a pretty girl you like - those butterflies in the stomach and that tingly feeling? Well, that's how I feel when I see a guy.' And I never forgot that. It was just so simple and beautiful."

To read the full online excerpt, click HERE and enjoy!

Of all the men alive, George Clooney is the sexiet one, according to People magazine which announced its annual selection on Wednesday.

The debates are already beginning: what about McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) or McSteamy (Eric Dane) or the new Bond (Daniel Craig)?

I guess it's just that Clooney, 45, is so damned handsome AND so much more: smart, talented, funny, down-to-Earth, and principled. He joins Brad Pitt as the only two-time honoree of the "sexiest" title which began back in 1986 with Mel Gibson.

What a year for Clooney: he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Syriana" and was nominated multiple times for writing and directing "Good Night, and Good Luck." Clooney also further cemented his reputation for social activism, working on behalf of causes to help the troubled Darfur region of Sudan.

And through it all, he's kept his sense of humor intact. "There's a lot of pressure," he says of the Sexiest Man Alive honor. "There are all the events you have to show up for. The sash you have to wear … is embarrassing."

Here is more of his People interview:

On whether he'll ever have children:
"I think it's the most responsible thing you can do, to have kids. It's not something to be taken lightly. I don't have that gene that people have to replicate. But everything in my life has changed over time."

On his vow to "never marry again" – and whether he's changed his mind:
"The truth is, I haven't softened my position on anything, but it's not something I deal with on a regular basis. Who knows? I've been married (in the early '90s, to actress Talia Balsam). It's not something I'm looking out for. The truth is, I'm really happy."

On what he finds attractive:
"Everybody says this, but sense of humor is No. 1 for me. It's certainly what's most attractive. It's not the first thing you notice at 21, but it's the first thing you notice now. You also have to have a sense of humor about my life. It certainly has had an effect on relationships, but I would bet less of an effect than my own issues or insecurities. You can't really blame outside forces for things not working out. You have to take some responsibility."

On being named Sexiest Man Alive for a second time:
"This one's going to be hard for Brad (Pitt) since he's been Sexiest Man Alive twice. He's enjoyed that mantle. I'd say 'Sexiest Man Alive' to him and he'd go, 'Two-time.' So that's been taken away. We used to call him Two Time. So Brad's going to be upset."

In today's issue of The Hollywood Reporter, TV editor Andrew Wallenstein looks at the recent announcements by Neil Patrick Harris and T.R. Knight that they are gay men. He notes that these self-outings (with some help of the tabloids and bloggers) seems to be evidence of how far Hollywood has come since the days of such closeted stars as Rock Hudson and Montgomery Clift.

Both those handsome and very gay leading men (Clift is pictured on the beach) remained closeted for fear of ruining their reputations during what was a far less tolerant era.
Wallenstein wonders if this is progress though. "Neither Harris or Knight is in the m,old of the traditional lewading man, and that's a huge distinction," he writes. "That type of role is predicated on an actor's sex appeal to the opposite gender. Absurd as it sounds, on some level viewers have to believe their object of affection could somehow reciprocate their attraction. Just imagine if ["Grey's Anatomy"] resident hearthrob Patrick Dempsey, who is not gay, had come out. Would McDreamy till be as popular and would that affect the show's popularity?"

Wallenstein believes that given the current climate of gossip-mongering on the Internet that makes it virtually impossible for even a minor celebrity to stay in the closet, it is probably inevitable that a sexy lead actor will be outed.

He writes: "If the disclosures of Harris and Knight seem like a big deal, just wait and see what happens when someone like a modern-day Hudson follows in their footsteps."

In the meantime, i say give some leading roles in movies to such out actors as the sexy and talented Robert Gant, Chad Allen or Rupert Everett to show that they can be sexy and attractive to any gender!

I think Nicole Kidman is THE most gifted and daring actress of her generation. She's also an articulate woman who can promote her projects with intelligence and insight (I"m not talking about "Bewitched" OK?). And best of all, she's a real star who shines brightest on the red carpet at any event she attends.

The Nov. 21 issue of The Advocate spotlights Nicole as a star with a "Big Gay Following." Here are some highlights from her chat with writer John Griffiths:

Asked if she's ever felt repressed, Nicole says: "Of course. I've felt that I've tried to be things that I couldn't be. I've tried to believe things that I couldn't believe...it's probably why I really have [affinity with] a gay man or a gay woman."

If one of her kids were gay: "I'd give them a huge hug and say, 'What do you want from me? How can I help you?What do you need?' I recently lost probably my dearest, closest friend, Robert [McCann, her make-up artist who died unexpectedly last year]. Robert would always say to me, 'This is what you do: You just open your arms and say, 'Here I am, and I love you.' Because you need that unconditional support and love. Because you need that unconditional support and love. Because you're not going to get anywhere else in the world."

On why some people want to believe that straight actors are gay> "(Laughs) I don't know. I suppose, you know, it's nice to fantasize!...Fantasies can exist in your head, and they can be what you want them to be. They're yours and nobody else's."

On gay men ogling her handsome husband, singer Keith Urban: "I'm all for people thinking he's the cutest thing (laughs).

Talented television and Broadway star Neil Patrick Harris has decided to tell the world he's gay following widespread reports about his private life this week.
"(I) am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest," Harris tells People magazine's Web site.
The 33-year-old actor, currently starring in the CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," said he decided to reveal his sexuality to end "speculation and interest in my private life and relationships."

That speculation began with an Oct. 23 item on the Web site Canada.com that claimed Harris had helped his "longtime sweetheart," actor David Burtka, land a part on his hit CBS sitcom. That was followed by an unconfirmed report Nov. 1 that a publicist for Harris said the actor is "not of that persuasion."

Here is Harris' complete statement:
"The public eye has always been kind to me, and until recently I have been able to live a pretty normal life. Now it seems there is speculation and interest in my private life and relationships. So, rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."

Perez Hilton, Defamer.com and other gossip blogs jumped on the topic, eager to "out" the actor. I wrote about the reports this week in "Out of Hollywood" but it was with mixed feelings. Harris was already widely known to be gay but it really was up to him to come out publicly.

And so he has.

Good for him! He has followed T.R. Knight's example of issuing a statement and leaving it at that. Neither he or Knight need the publicity since both are on hit shows and have a high profile. Of the high-profile coming out stories of recent months, Lance Bass has probably benefited the most. His profile was almost non-existent at that point but coming out on the cover of People magazine and having a high-profile relationship with hunky "Amazing Race" winner Reichen has him on the pages of many magazines and on all the "ET," "Access Hollywood" shows.

With both Harris and Knight playing convincing heterosexuals on their respective shows, they are proving that being openly gay doesn't have to be career suicide. I was at an event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel tonight and was told about yet another high-profile actor thinking of coming out soon. Can't spill just yet, sorry. I hope it's a trend.
As for Harris, HOORAY! I'm a big fan of his professionally and now personally. I am so proud to add him to the Out in Hollywood gallery of out heroes.