Gay movie actors 1950s

By the '50s, Willson had gone into business for himself, representing a growing stable of clean-cut, hypermasculine stars who appealed to the bobby-soxers who drove the box office. Nevertheless, Hoffler makes a compelling argument that Willson, though hardly laudable, served an important function.

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By contrast, the '50s, when Hudson reigned as the country's top box office draw and Willson, one of Hollywood's leading agents, commanded the best tables at Ciro's and the Mocambo, was far more rigid and closeted. Advocate Newsletter. This list highlights iconic celebrities from the past, including the men and women who shaped the movie industry.

Sign up for our email newsletter. But at a time when female executives didn't exist, Willson and other gay agents and managers took on the job of identifying and grooming many of the male stars who brought in female ticket buyers.

But did you know the film industry's queer culture existed even before that famous HOLLYWOODLAND sign went up inand half of Tinseltown kept their identities a secret to safeguard their careers? If Willson, who died inwere still alive, Hollywood's changing attitudes toward homosexuality would probably leave him at a rare loss for words.

It was hardly straitlaced, though, because the decade also harbored a subterranean gay culture with its own elaborate codes and customs. When the gossip magazine Confidential threatened to expose Hudson, Willson fended off the scandal, possibly working through intermediaries, by feeding the magazine information about Rory Calhoun's criminal record and Hunter's attendance at an all-male "pajama party.

By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Henry Willson, the agent who masterminded Rock Hudson's career along with those of such other Hollywood hunks--straight and gay--as Troy Donohue and Tab Hunter, had rules for his gay clients.

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He also became a controversial figure. Join the fight. A look at 10+ LGBT stars of Old Hollywood, featuring famous gay actors and actresses who made history. Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountaina tale of two men struggling with their attraction for each other, already is positioned as one of this year's major awards contenders.

Golden Age of Hollywood stars you probably didn't know were LGBTQ+ Public Domain; Donaldson Collection/Getty Images. And though they haven't crossed over into the territory of romantic leading men, openly gay actors Nathan Lane and Anthony Rapp are headlining the films The Producers and Rentwith both Broadway-trained actors playing thoroughly hetero characters.

The Golden Age of Hollywood gave us many of the biggest icons of the 20th Century. So, here are some Old Hollywood stars you probably didn’t know were LGBTQ. Queer actors have been a part of the film industry for many, many years! You'll ruin it all if you live with this other man.

You might know some, but we. Willson, born in Lansdown, Pa. By the '40s he had become producer David O. Selznick's head of talent, where his duties included squiring Selznick's star and paramour, Jennifer Jones, around town. In short, they turned matinee idols into gold.

Old Hollywood Gay Actors : It contains theatrically released films that deal with important gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer characters or issues and may have same-sex romance or relationships as a plot device

Performances like Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of the title character in Capote and Cillian Murphy's turn as a cross-dresser in Breakfast on Pluto are drawing raves. Such womanizing moguls as Selznick, Darryl Zanuck, and Harry Cohn might have had an eye for identifying female stars.

Gregg Kilday, via Reuters. All Rights reserved. Although no A-list star has yet emerged to challenge Willson's long-held belief that the public will not accept an openly gay leading man, in most other respects the scene has changed dramatically.