Stars Who Came Out as LGBTQ+ Late in Life and Shocked Fans

Visibility in the entertainment industry has shifted dramatically over the decades, leading many established figures to share their authentic selves after years in the spotlight. For some stars, the decision to come out happened well into their senior years or after long-standing careers as Hollywood leading figures. These revelations often surprised the public, especially when the stars had previously been married to opposite-sex partners or had maintained strictly private personal lives. The following list highlights notable celebrities who chose to come out later in life, proving that it is never too late to live authentically.

Ian McKellen

The legendary actor publicly came out as gay in 1988 during a BBC Radio interview. At the age of 49, he made the announcement while discussing Section 28, a controversial piece of British legislation aimed at prohibiting the “promotion” of homosexuality. Prior to this, he had been open with colleagues in the theater but not with the general public or his family. McKellen has since become a prominent activist for LGBTQ+ rights worldwide. His career continued to flourish with major roles in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘X-Men’.

Joel Grey

The Academy Award-winning ‘Cabaret’ star publicly came out as gay in 2015 at the age of 82. He shared his journey in an interview with People magazine, noting that it had taken him a long time to embrace this part of himself. Grey was previously married to actress Jo Wilder for 24 years and is the father of ‘Dirty Dancing’ star Jennifer Grey. He described his journey as a shift from a “don’t ask, don’t tell” era to a period of greater personal freedom. This revelation came after decades of a highly successful career on Broadway and in film.

Barry Manilow

The legendary singer and songwriter officially came out as gay in 2017 at the age of 73. He revealed that he had been in a committed relationship with his manager, Garry Kief, since 1978. Manilow explained that he kept his private life quiet for decades out of fear that he would disappoint his fans or damage his career. The couple had married privately in 2014 following the legalization of same-sex marriage in California. Fans largely met the news with overwhelming support and affection for the ‘Copacabana’ singer.

George Takei

Known for his iconic role as Hikaru Sulu in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise, the actor came out as gay in 2005. He was 68 years old at the time and had been in a relationship with Brad Altman since the 1980s. Takei cited Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s veto of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage as the catalyst for his public announcement. He has since become one of the most vocal and recognizable advocates for LGBTQ+ equality in the United States. His public profile surged following his announcement, leading to a massive social media following.

Caitlyn Jenner

The former Olympic gold medalist and reality television star came out as a transgender woman in 2015. At the age of 65, she detailed her transition during a widely viewed televised interview with Diane Sawyer. Shortly after, she appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair to introduce her new identity to the world. Jenner had previously lived as Bruce Jenner and had been a prominent public figure since her athletic success in the 1970s. Her transition sparked a significant global conversation regarding gender identity and visibility.

Holland Taylor

The Emmy-winning actress, known for her roles in ‘The Practice’ and ‘Two and a Half Men’, came out in 2015. At 72 years old, she confirmed she was in a committed relationship with a woman during a radio interview. While she did not use a specific label at the time, she later confirmed her relationship with actress Sarah Paulson. Taylor noted that she had never been “in” a closet but simply lived her life privately until the relationship became public. The significant age difference between her and Paulson also became a point of public discussion.

Richard Chamberlain

The star of ‘The Thorn Birds’ and ‘Dr. Kildare’ came out as gay in his 2003 memoir, ‘Shattered Love’. He was 69 years old and had spent most of his career as a prominent leading man and romantic heartthrob. Chamberlain admitted that he hid his sexuality for decades to protect his status as a “leading man” in the eyes of Hollywood producers. He expressed that he finally felt a sense of peace after disclosing his truth later in life. Since coming out, he has continued to work in television and remains a respected figure in the industry.

Niecy Nash-Betts

The ‘Claws’ and ‘Reno 911!’ star surprised fans in 2020 by announcing her marriage to singer Jessica Betts. At age 50, Nash shared the news on social media following two previous marriages to men. She clarified that she does not label her sexuality but simply fell in love with a person. Her announcement was seen as a significant moment for representation, particularly for Black women in the entertainment industry. Nash described the transition as a “going toward herself” rather than a traditional coming out.

Meredith Baxter

Famous for her role as the mother on the hit sitcom ‘Family Ties’, the actress came out as a lesbian in 2009. She was 62 years old and had been married three times to men before the announcement. Baxter stated that she realized her orientation later in life after entering her first same-sex relationship. She appeared on ‘Today’ to share her story and address the rumors that had begun circulating in the media. Following her announcement, she became an advocate for LGBTQ+ causes and shared her journey in a personal memoir.

Victor Garber

The acclaimed actor of ‘Alias’ and ‘Titanic’ fame confirmed he was gay in 2013 during a brief interview at a press event. He was 63 years old and had been in a relationship with artist Rainer Andreesen for over 13 years at the time. While he had not kept his relationship a secret from friends or colleagues, the public confirmation was a new step in his public life. The couple eventually married in Canada in 2015. Garber is highly respected for his long and versatile career on both stage and screen.

Clive Davis

The legendary music mogul, responsible for the careers of Whitney Houston and Janis Joplin, came out as bisexual in 2013. He published this information in his memoir, ‘The Soundtrack of My Life’, at the age of 80. Davis revealed that he had been in two committed relationships with men following the end of his second marriage. He expressed a desire for more honesty about the complexity of human sexuality. His announcement was considered a landmark moment for the music industry’s executive branch.

Kelly McGillis

The actress who starred alongside Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun’ came out as a lesbian in 2009. She was 51 years old and had been married to men twice before the public disclosure. McGillis shared the news during an interview with SheWired, stating she was done with pretending to be someone else. She has since been open about her life and the challenges she faced while working in Hollywood during the 1980s. Her revelation added her to the growing list of stars living authentically later in life.

Robin Roberts

The ‘Good Morning America’ anchor publicly acknowledged her long-term partner, Amber Laign, in a 2013 social media post. She was 53 years old at the time and was reflecting on her recovery from a bone marrow transplant. While she had been open within her professional circle, this was her first public statement regarding her sexuality. Roberts has since shared more about her relationship and their eventual marriage in 2023. Her announcement was praised for its quiet sincerity and strength during a difficult health crisis.

Please share your thoughts on these inspiring stories of authenticity in the comments.