Gay Actors Who’ve Had Children

While Hollywood has become increasingly open about LGBTQ+ representation, many actors have also been transparent about their journeys to parenthood. From surrogacy and adoption to raising children from previous relationships, these stars have built loving families while navigating the spotlight. The following list highlights talented performers who have welcomed children into their lives, showcasing the diverse ways modern families are formed.

Neil Patrick Harris

Known for his iconic role in ‘How I Met Your Mother’, Neil Patrick Harris and his husband David Burtka are prominent figures in the conversation about gay parenting. The couple welcomed fraternal twins, Gideon Scott and Harper Grace, via surrogacy in October 2010. Harris often shares moments of their family life on social media, highlighting their elaborate Halloween costumes and travel adventures. He has spoken openly about the surrogacy process and the joys of raising twins in the public eye.

Matt Bomer

The ‘White Collar’ star and his husband, publicist Simon Halls, have three sons together. Their eldest son, Kit, was born in 2005, followed by twin brothers, Walker and Henry, in 2008. Bomer kept his family life private for many years but publicly acknowledged his husband and children while accepting an award in 2012. He has since expressed how being a father is his most significant and rewarding role.

Ricky Martin

While globally famous as a singer, Ricky Martin has an extensive acting resume including roles in ‘General Hospital’ and ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’. He became a father to twin boys, Matteo and Valentino, via gestational surrogacy in 2008. Later, with his husband Jwan Yosef, he welcomed a daughter named Lucia in 2018 and a son named Renn in 2019. Martin has been a vocal advocate for normalizing different types of families.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

The ‘Modern Family’ actor and his husband, Justin Mikita, have expanded their family through surrogacy. They welcomed their first son, Beckett Mercer, in July 2020. Two years later, in November 2022, the couple announced the birth of their second son, Sullivan Louis. Ferguson frequently uses his platform to discuss the importance of marriage equality and the process of building a family as a gay couple.

Cheyenne Jackson

‘American Horror Story’ and ’30 Rock’ actor Cheyenne Jackson shares twins with his husband, Jason Landau. The couple welcomed their daughter, Willow, and son, Ethan, in October 2016. Jackson has been open about his struggles with addiction and how fatherhood has given him a renewed sense of purpose and sobriety. He regularly shares heartfelt updates about his children’s milestones on social media.

BD Wong

Tony Award-winner and ‘Law & Order: SVU’ actor BD Wong became a father in 2000. He and his former partner welcomed twin sons, Boaz and Jackson, via surrogacy, though tragically Boaz died shortly after birth. Wong raised his son Jackson Foo Wong as a co-parent with his ex and later with his husband, Richert Schnorr. He has written a memoir detailing his experiences with surrogacy and the complexities of premature birth.

Denis O’Hare

Character actor Denis O’Hare, recognized for his versatile roles in ‘True Blood’ and ‘American Horror Story’, is a proud father. He and his husband, Hugo Redwood, adopted their son, Declan, in 2012. The couple has spoken about the adoption process and their desire to provide a loving home for a child in need. O’Hare occasionally brings his son to events, sharing his pride in their family unit.

Clay Aiken

Although he first gained fame on ‘American Idol’, Clay Aiken has established an acting career on Broadway in ‘Spamalot’ and various television cameos. He became a father in 2008 when his son, Parker Foster Aiken, was born. Aiken co-parents Parker with the boy’s mother, Jaymes Foster, who is the sister of music producer David Foster. He has spoken candidly about his decision to come out publicly following the birth of his son to lead by honest example.

Luke Macfarlane

‘Bros’ star and Hallmark Channel regular Luke Macfarlane became a first-time father in 2023. He and his partner, relentless alpine skier Hig Roberts, welcomed their daughter, Tess Eleanor, in June of that year. Macfarlane shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude for the surrogacy process that allowed them to build their family. The actor has noted that becoming a father has been a transformative experience.

Anthony Rapp

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ actor Anthony Rapp and his partner Ken Ithiphol have two sons. They welcomed their first child, Rai Larson, in December 2022 via surrogacy. Less than a year later, in November 2023, they announced the birth of their second son, Keony Lee. Rapp has shared that becoming a parent was a long-held dream that required years of planning and patience.

Lance Bass

While best known as a member of NSYNC, Lance Bass has acted in films like ‘On the Line’ and done extensive voice work. He and his husband, Michael Turchin, welcomed boy-girl twins, Alexander James and Violet Betty, in October 2021. The couple was open about their difficult journey to parenthood, which involved multiple surrogacy attempts and IVF rounds. Bass now advocates for fertility awareness and shares his experiences to help others facing similar struggles.

Matt Dallas

‘Kyle XY’ star Matt Dallas and his husband, musician Blue Hamilton, built their family through adoption. In 2015, they adopted their son, Crow, who was two years old at the time. Several years later, in 2022, they announced they had adopted a daughter named Rosa. The couple often documents their domestic life and parenting adventures on their shared YouTube channel.

Tuc Watkins

Tuc Watkins, known for roles in ‘One Life to Live’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’, is a single father to twins. He welcomed his sons, Catchen and Curtis, via surrogacy in December 2012. Watkins acted as a single parent for many years before entering a relationship with actor Andrew Rannells, who has since taken on a stepfather figure role. He has spoken about how he always knew he wanted to be a dad, regardless of his relationship status.

Dan Bucatinsky

‘Scandal’ actor and producer Dan Bucatinsky has two children with his husband, filmmaker Don Roos. They have a daughter named Eliza and a son named Jonah. Bucatinsky wrote a book titled Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?, which humorously details his experiences as a gay father. He uses his writing and acting work to explore themes of modern parenting and identity.

Alec Mapa

Comedian and actor Alec Mapa, known for ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘Switched at Birth’, adopted his son Zion with his husband Jamison Hebert. Zion was five years old when he was adopted out of the foster care system in 2010. Mapa created a stand-up special and documentary called ‘Baby Daddy’, which focuses on their adoption journey and the importance of adopting older children. He remains a vocal advocate for foster care adoption.

Share your favorite movie or TV show starring one of these actors in the comments.