LGBTQ+ Actors Who Started In Small Roles And Ended Up Unforgettable

The evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood has been marked by the rise of talented actors who transitioned from background roles to household names. Many performers spent years in minor television parts, theater ensembles, or independent films before finding the breakthrough roles that defined their careers. This shift reflects broader changes in the industry regarding visibility and the demand for authentic storytelling. These actors have not only achieved critical acclaim but have also paved the way for future generations of queer performers in the entertainment world.

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen began his career in regional theater before taking minor television roles in the late 1960s. He gained international fame through his portrayal of Magneto in the ‘X-Men’ franchise and Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. Beyond his blockbuster success, he has received numerous accolades for his work in Shakespearean productions and independent cinema. McKellen remains one of the most respected figures in the industry for both his acting prowess and his long-standing activism.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris first gained attention as a child actor in the film ‘Clara’s Heart’ and the television series ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ After a period of smaller guest spots and theater work, he reinvented his public image with a comedic turn in ‘Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle’. This led to his iconic nine-season run as Barney Stinson on the sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother’. He has since become a versatile performer, winning Tony Awards for theater and appearing in films like ‘Gone Girl’.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer started his professional career with recurring roles in daytime soap operas such as ‘All My Children’ and ‘Guiding Light’. He worked in several short-lived series before landing the lead role of Neal Caffrey in the procedural drama ‘White Collar’. His performance in the television film ‘The Normal Heart’ earned him a Golden Globe Award and established him as a serious dramatic actor. Bomer has continued to take on diverse roles in projects like ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Fellow Travelers’.

Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw appeared in small roles in films like ‘The Trench’ and ‘My Brother Tom’ during the early stages of his career. He received critical praise for his stage work before becoming widely known for his performance in ‘Bright Star’. Whishaw reached a global audience when he was cast as Q in the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’, a role he reprised in subsequent sequels. He also provides the voice for the titular character in the ‘Paddington’ film series.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott had a minor appearance in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and worked extensively in Irish and British theater for many years. He achieved international stardom for his chilling portrayal of Jim Moriarty in the BBC series ‘Sherlock’. His popularity grew further after playing the Priest in the second season of the comedy-drama ‘Fleabag’. Scott has since headlined major projects, including the Netflix series ‘Ripley’ and the romantic drama ‘All of Us Strangers’.

Luke Evans

Luke Evans spent the first decade of his career performing in various West End musical productions such as ‘Taboo’ and ‘Rent’. He made his film debut in ‘Clash of the Titans’ and quickly transitioned into high-profile action roles. Evans is well known for playing Bard the Bowman in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy and Gaston in the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He has successfully balanced roles in big-budget spectacles and character-driven television series like ‘The Alienist’.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons appeared in several television commercials and had a recurring role in the legal drama ‘Judging Amy’ before his breakthrough. He became a household name for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper on the long-running sitcom ‘The Big Bang Theory’. His performance earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Following the show’s conclusion, Parsons has focused on film and theater, starring in ‘The Boys in the Band’ and ‘Spoiler Alert’.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter began his career in the Broadway ensemble of ‘Miss Saigon’ and appeared in small film roles like ‘The First Wives Club’. He struggled to find consistent work in Hollywood for years while continuing to develop his craft on stage. His career reached new heights when he won a Tony Award for ‘Kinky Boots’ and a Primetime Emmy for his role in ‘Pose’. Porter is now recognized as a fashion icon and a prominent figure in musical theater and television.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto’s early career consisted of guest appearances on television shows such as ‘Touched by an Angel’ and ‘Charmed’. He first gained significant recognition for his role as Adam Kaufman on ’24’ and the antagonist Sylar on ‘Heroes’. His transition to major film roles occurred when he was cast as Spock in the 2009 ‘Star Trek’ reboot directed by J.J. Abrams. Quinto has also been a regular fixture in the ‘American Horror Story’ anthology series.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo worked for decades as a character actor, appearing in bit parts in ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Lincoln’. He gradually moved into more substantial roles in films like ‘Selma’ and the television series ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. His performance as Victor Strand brought him wider visibility, followed by an Emmy win for ‘Euphoria’. In 2023, he received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for his lead performance in the biographical drama ‘Rustin’.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Jesse Tyler Ferguson started with small roles on Broadway and appeared in the short-lived sitcom ‘The Class’. He became globally recognized for playing Mitchell Pritchett on the mockumentary series ‘Modern Family’, which ran for eleven seasons. During his time on the show, he received five consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance. Ferguson has since returned to his roots in the theater, winning a Tony Award for his role in the revival of ‘Take Me Out’.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey began acting as a child, appearing in productions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Les Misérables’. He worked steadily in British television for years, with roles in series such as ‘Broadchurch’ and ‘Crashing’. His international breakthrough came with the role of Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix period drama ‘Bridgerton’. He has also maintained a successful stage career, winning an Olivier Award for his work in the musical ‘Company’.

Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey had small roles in ‘The History Boys’ and ‘Doctor Who’ early in his career. He gained a dedicated following for his starring role in the supernatural drama ‘Being Human’ and the HBO series ‘Looking’. Tovey has appeared in various prestige dramas, including ‘Years and Years’ and ‘The Sister’. He is also known for his passion for contemporary art, which he discusses on his popular podcast ‘Talk Art’.

Harvey Guillén

Harvey Guillén appeared in minor parts in shows like ‘Huge’ and ‘The Inner Circle’ before finding mainstream success. He became a breakout star for his role as Guillermo de la Cruz in the FX series ‘What We Do in the Shadows’. His performance has been praised for providing the emotional heart of the comedic vampire show. Guillén has also lent his voice to animated projects like ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ and ‘Blue Beetle’.

Tituss Burgess

Tituss Burgess began his career on Broadway, performing in the original casts of ‘Jersey Boys’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’. He had a small but memorable recurring role as D’Fwan in ’30 Rock’, which led to his collaboration with Tina Fey. Burgess became widely famous for his role as Titus Andromedon in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. His performance earned him five consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett first came to prominence in the stage and film versions of ‘Another Country’ in the early 1980s. After a series of smaller roles, he achieved international stardom as George Downes in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. This performance redefined his career and led to roles in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and ‘An Ideal Husband’. Everett has also written several memoirs detailing his experiences as an openly gay actor in Hollywood.

George Takei

George Takei appeared in background roles in television series like ‘Playhouse 90’ and ‘Perry Mason’ during the 1950s. He found enduring fame when he was cast as Hikaru Sulu in the original ‘Star Trek’ series. Following the show’s cancellation, he reprised the role in six feature films and various animated projects. In recent years, Takei has become a social media personality and a leading advocate for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller’s early career included minor appearances in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘ER’. He rose to international stardom after being cast as the lead character, Michael Scofield, in the thriller series ‘Prison Break’. The show’s success led to several seasons and a revival, establishing him as a prominent television actor. Miller has also worked as a screenwriter, penning the script for the 2013 psychological thriller ‘Stoker’.

Sean Hayes

Sean Hayes had a minor role in the series ‘Silk Stalkings’ and worked in regional theater before moving to Los Angeles. He achieved massive popularity for his portrayal of Jack McFarland on the sitcom ‘Will & Grace’. His performance on the show earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards. Hayes has also enjoyed a successful career on Broadway and co-hosts the popular podcast ‘SmartLess’.

Victor Garber

Victor Garber started his career in the 1972 production of ‘Godspell’ and appeared in various television guest spots. He became a recognizable face in cinema with roles in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ and as Thomas Andrews in ‘Titanic’. Garber is also well known for his long-running role as Jack Bristow in the spy series ‘Alias’. He has since joined the DC television universe, playing Martin Stein in ‘Legends of Tomorrow’.

BD Wong

BD Wong made his Broadway debut in ‘M. Butterfly’, for which he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He became a fixture on television with his long-running role as Dr. George Huang on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. Wong is also known for his film work, including the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise and the Disney film ‘Mulan’. More recently, he received acclaim for his complex performance as Whiterose in the series ‘Mr. Robot’.

Wilson Cruz

Wilson Cruz made television history with his role as Rickie Vasquez on the short-lived but influential series ‘My So-Called Life’. Following this breakthrough, he appeared in the film ‘Nixon’ and the musical ‘Rent’ on Broadway. Cruz has maintained a consistent presence in television with roles in ‘Party of Five’ and ’13 Reasons Why’. He currently stars as Dr. Hugh Culber in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’, marking another milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in the franchise.

Anthony Rapp

Anthony Rapp began acting as a child, appearing in films such as ‘Adventures in Babysitting’ and ‘School Ties’. He gained significant fame for originating the role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway musical ‘Rent’, a role he later reprised in the film version. Rapp has balanced a career between stage and screen, appearing in films like ‘A Beautiful Mind’. He currently stars alongside Wilson Cruz in the series ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.

Conrad Ricamora

Conrad Ricamora worked in regional theater and had bit parts in television before being cast in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. Originally intended as a guest role, his character Oliver Hampton became a series regular and a fan favorite. Ricamora has also received critical praise for his work in the musical ‘Here Lies Love’. He recently appeared in the romantic comedy ‘Fire Island’ and the television series ‘How to Die Alone’.

T. R. Knight

T.R. Knight started his career in the Minneapolis theater scene before moving to New York for off-Broadway roles. He had small guest appearances in ‘Frasier’ and ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ before his major breakthrough. Knight became a household name for his portrayal of George O’Malley on the medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. After leaving the show, he returned to the stage and appeared in series like ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘The Flight Attendant’.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace began his career in off-Broadway plays before starring in the television film ‘Soldier’s Girl’. He received critical acclaim for his lead role in the series ‘Pushing Daisies’, which earned him an Emmy nomination. Pace has appeared in several major film franchises, including ‘The Twilight Saga’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy as Thranduil. He currently stars as Brother Day in the Apple TV+ science fiction series ‘Foundation’.

Robin de Jesús

Robin de Jesús made his film debut in the independent cult classic ‘Camp’, which focused on a performing arts camp. He transitioned to Broadway, where he earned Tony Award nominations for ‘In the Heights’ and ‘La Cage aux Folles’. De Jesús gained wider cinematic recognition for his role in the Netflix adaptation of ‘The Boys in the Band’. He also appeared in the musical film ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Murray Bartlett

Murray Bartlett worked in Australian television for many years, including a stint on the soap opera ‘Home and Away’. He had guest roles in ‘Sex and the City’ and starred in the HBO series ‘Looking’. His career reached a new peak with his performance as Armond in the first season of ‘The White Lotus’. This role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series.

Dan Levy

Dan Levy started his career as a television host for MTV Canada and had small roles in projects like ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’. He rose to international prominence after co-creating and starring in the sitcom ‘Schitt’s Creek’. The show became a critical phenomenon, and Levy made history by winning four Emmy Awards in a single year for acting, directing, writing, and producing. He has since appeared in films like ‘Happiest Season’ and created the series ‘The Big Door Prize’.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming began his career in British television and theater, appearing in the series ‘Take the High Road’. He achieved international fame for his stage performance as the Emcee in ‘Cabaret’ and his role as Boris Grishenko in ‘GoldenEye’. Cumming became a television staple in the United States with his long-running role as Eli Gold in ‘The Good Wife’. He is also known for his work in the ‘Spy Kids’ franchise and as a host for various documentary programs.

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