Gay Actors Who Played Straight Heartthrobs

The history of cinema and television is filled with actors who have skillfully portrayed romantic leading roles that differ from their personal identities. For decades, many performers have navigated the entertainment industry while embodying straight heartthrobs, proving their immense talent and versatility as artists. These performances often become iconic, defining the romantic archetypes of their respective eras and resonating with global audiences. This list explores several openly gay actors who became famous for their portrayals of heterosexual romantic interests across film and television.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey gained international recognition for his portrayal of Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’. His character is a Regency-era viscount navigating a high-stakes search for a suitable wife while dealing with intense romantic tension. Bailey, who has been open about his sexuality since the beginning of his career, earned critical acclaim for the chemistry he shared with his female co-stars. His performance helped solidify the show’s status as a major romantic drama in the streaming era. The actor continues to champion the importance of gay performers playing diverse roles in mainstream media.

Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer is widely recognized for his role as the sophisticated con artist Neal Caffrey in the television series ‘White Collar’. Throughout the show’s six seasons, Caffrey used his charm and wit to navigate complex romantic entanglements and solve high-stakes crimes for the FBI. Bomer publicly came out in 2012 and has since spoken about the challenges and triumphs of being an out actor in Hollywood. His portrayal of the stylish and romantic Caffrey made him a prominent figure in the modern television landscape. He also starred as a romantic lead in the film ‘Magic Mike’ and its sequels.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris spent nine seasons playing the legendary womanizer Barney Stinson on the hit sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Stinson was known for his elaborate “playbook” and his relentless pursuit of women, making him one of the most recognizable straight characters on television. Harris came out during the height of the show’s popularity in 2006 and continued to play the character until the series finale in 2014. His performance earned him multiple Emmy nominations and demonstrated his incredible range as a comedic actor. Barney Stinson remains a cultural icon of the mid-2000s television era.

Luke Evans

Welsh actor Luke Evans has portrayed several straight romantic and action leads, most notably Gaston in the live-action adaptation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. In this role, he played a hyper-masculine, narcissistic hunter obsessed with winning the heart of Belle. Evans has been open about his sexuality since early in his career and has successfully balanced roles in large franchises like ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Fast & Furious’. His ability to inhabit traditional leading man archetypes has made him a sought-after talent in big-budget cinema. He continues to play a variety of characters across different genres on both stage and screen.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller rose to fame as the brilliant and brooding Michael Scofield in the popular series ‘Prison Break’. His character was deeply motivated by love for his family and maintained a central romantic relationship with Dr. Sara Tancredi throughout the show. Miller came out as gay in 2013 after declining an invitation to a Russian film festival in protest of the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. His stoic and romantic portrayal of Scofield earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a dedicated global fanbase. He has since become a vocal advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ representation in the arts.

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was one of the most prominent heartthrobs of Hollywood’s Golden Age, known for his roles in films like ‘Pillow Talk’ and ‘Giant’. He often starred opposite leading ladies like Doris Day, epitomizing the ideal American leading man of the 1950s and 1960s. While Hudson lived a private life regarding his sexuality, it became public knowledge shortly before his death from AIDS-related complications in 1985. His career stands as a significant historical example of the pressures faced by LGBTQ+ actors during the studio system era. Hudson’s legacy continues to influence contemporary discussions about identity and stardom in the film industry.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott captured the internet’s attention with his performance as “The Priest” in the second season of the comedy-drama ‘Fleabag’. Often referred to by fans as the “Hot Priest,” his character shared a forbidden and intense romantic connection with the show’s protagonist. Scott, who is openly gay, brought a depth and vulnerability to the role that resonated with a wide audience across the globe. He has also played straight roles in major projects like the war film ‘1917’ and the Bond film ‘Spectre’. His career is marked by a diverse array of characters on both stage and screen.

Luke Macfarlane

Luke Macfarlane has become a staple of romantic television, particularly through his numerous leading roles in ‘Hallmark Channel’ original movies. He often portrays the quintessential romantic lead in holiday-themed films like ‘A Shoe Addict’s Christmas’ and ‘The Mistletoe Promise’. Macfarlane came out in 2008 and has consistently maintained a busy career in both television and professional theater. In 2022, he starred in the romantic comedy ‘Bros’, which featured an almost entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast. His work in the romantic genre has made him a familiar face to millions of regular viewers.

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain was a major television star in the 1960s and 1980s, earning the nickname “King of the Miniseries.” He starred as the romantic lead Father Ralph de Bricassart in ‘The Thorn Birds’, a role that defined his status as a straight heartthrob for an entire generation. Chamberlain also played the title character in ‘Dr. Kildare’, further establishing his appeal to mainstream American audiences. He chose to come out publicly in his 2003 memoir, ‘Shattered Love’, after decades of maintaining a private personal life. His career illustrates the transition of LGBTQ+ visibility in Hollywood over several decades.

Colton Haynes

Colton Haynes gained a large following for his role as Jackson Whittemore in the supernatural drama series ‘Teen Wolf’. Jackson was a popular high school athlete and a primary romantic interest during the early seasons of the production. Haynes also played Roy Harper in the superhero series ‘Arrow’, portraying another character with significant straight romantic storylines. He came out publicly in 2016 and has since been open about his experiences as a gay man in the entertainment industry. His roles in teen-centric dramas helped establish him as a recognizable face for a younger generation of viewers.

Share which of these performances surprised you the most or name your favorite straight role played by a gay actor in the comments.