One of the worst kept secrets in Hollywood is that Jodie Foster is gay. Kind of falls into the “Who cares?” department. Nevertheless it prompted an entire CNN discussion when Foster openly thanked her long-time partner when she accepted an award recently.
And all I can think is that somewhere John Hinckley is shouting, “Son of a BÍTÇH!” I mean, jeez…discovering that you’re the guy who embarked on a failed attempt to assassinate a president in order to romantically impress a lesbian. That’s gotta hurt.
PAD
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Saw that at work and had the same reaction that I had when I’d heard someone came out at our high school reunion.
She was IN?
I’ve had the experience of having a friend “come out” when, truth be told, most of his friends have been wondering when the hëll HE was going to figure it out. But you can’t say that–you have to act surprised. “What? Really? Wow, I don’t know what to say! You? Gay?”
Anyway, best of luck to Ms. Foster. Gosh, who’s next–Lily Tomlin?
Yeah, because Hinckley had a chance before that.
I was thinking “who cares?” when George Takei came out. It seemed to me that coming out at this point was like having a press conference to announce that you are left handed. I was surprised it got as much press as it did.
I think everybody has a story like Mulligan’s. Part of why I’ve never subscribed to the idea of being gay by choice was because of a guy that was a part of my social circle back in high school. By senior year, it was obvious to everyone but him that he was pitching for the other team. A few years into college, he came home for the Christmas break and was surprised by us not being surprised by his revelation.
Whatchya gonna do?
As for stars “coming out” as it were, I’m with Sean on this. She was in still? I have no idea what the deal is with stars that come out, but I’m almost always sure that I’ve heard about them coming out before. The only “outing” that’s caught me by surprise in the last twenty years was Neil Patrick Harris and, looking back on it, I don’t know why it did.
When I mentioned this news to my mom and made the same joke as PAD, she just rolled her eyes and said he probably thinks he could turn her straight.
She’s got a point.
Neil Patrick Harris coming out was awesome because of that scene in “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle” where he was all about høøkërš and coke. He’s going to be in the sequel, so I’d love it if he came out in the movie, then got some male høøkërš and coke. Just to show that the character hadn’t actually changed.
Now that I think about it, Scrubs already did that with the Todd.
Everybody and their dog know that lots and lots of past and present big name Hollywood actors and actresses are gay, lesbian, or bisexual (wuth some crossdressers thrown in for good measure). And what makes me majorly pìššëd øff, as a gay person, is that most of these people keep hiding behind flimsy facades, fake marriages, and all that cowardly šhìŧ.
If everyone of these famous people were 100% open about their orientation, setting examples, they could make a difference.
And yeah, I can understand better than anybody the social pressures to stay in the closet, the fear of rejection, all of that awful stuff, but somehow I think that most of the famous, rich people who stay in the closet don’t do it out of excusable personal insecurity that affects us poor mortals, it seems to me that they do it because the bigshot execs told them that coming out completely could limit their appeal with the public.
In general, I am not particularly interested in how someone I do not know intimately orgasms. In Jodie Foster’s case, I have a prurient interest mainly because she is an attractive lady. But I digress. Regarding Takei’s coming out, I’ve noticed he’s become a more comical character. His appearance on Malcolm in the Middle had me laughing out loud, and his response to the Hardaway thing (I’m a Star Trek and comics geek. I don’t follow sports. If I have it wrong, I apologize.) was hilarious as well as a stunningly brilliant response. Why isn’t he doing a sitcom? Besides the strike, I mean.
Rene wrote: “seems to me that they do it because the bigshot execs told them that coming out completely could limit their appeal with the public.”
I don’t think the problem happens when their career is far enough along to be talking to big time execs. I think it’s probably something they all start doing when they start out. The things I’ve read about Hollywood make it sound like most of the superstars had to fight and claw and work their áššëš off to get where they are. Even when they look like they got lucky and everything came to them easily, there was usually a lot of hard work to make sure they beat the other 10,000 people who wanted their job.
So it’s not really a matter of the famous stars massaging their image. It’s more a matter of the people fighting their way up trying to conceal anything that anyone could have a problem with. When 100 people have veto power over you getting a role, there’s almost always go to be one bigot who can sink you. Then the few that become big stars have to wonder if it’s worth admitting that they’ve been lying all these years.
But that’s largely based on conjecture.
While I’m not surprised by this, I’m glad. The gay rights movement is largely still in its infantry, facing tremendous obstacles (mainly from convervatives and certain religious groups), and in dire need of people willing to stand up and say “I’m gay and I’m not going to hide it!” And if there’s one thing that would advance gay rights (besides meaningful legislation, like allowing gay people to get married or serve in the infantry), it’s role models. A lot of out celebrities seem to wait until they’re well established and largely set in their careers (sorry, but George Takei seems to fall into this category; and David Hyde Pierce remained in the closet for the whole run of FRASIER). I’m impressed with Neil Patrick Harris for coming out while starring in a big sitcom, not waiting 5 or 10 years after it’s done and then revealing himself. (Incidentally, I loved the episode where Barney revealed he had a gay brother — who was also black — and freaked Barney out not for his homosexuality, but for his getting a significant other.) Jodie Foster may not be a surprise, but at least she’s being open. Finally.
Now when’s she going to do some better movies?
Some years ago, i was at the Book Nook here in Atlanta talking to Dave Lindsay, longtime Atlanta music/movie journo, and the subject drifted to an interview with the Indigo Girls that had recently been published in which the interviewer did virtually everything short of waterboarding to get Amy (who had not, at that time, talked one way or the other about the matter) to cop to being gay. (This was *some* years ago.)
I said “Who cares?”
Dave said “The only reason I ever cared was that she always dated prettier girls than I did…”
Well, duh.
Acting careers are hard enough to establish, with sometimes trivial things like not being liked by a network suit knocking it entirely off the rails. Make enough friend in the biz who don’t care if you’re gay, and you CAN come out of the closet without bollixing up what you’re making a living at.
sorry, but George Takei seems to fall into this category
Before you go judging Mr Takei or those of his generation too harshly, please keep in mind the way society was when they were young and starting out. If you think our current times can be restrictive, it was much worse back then. It would’ve been career suicide.
In this day and age of poparatzi (sp?), is it even possible to hide a gay partner for a big name star like Jodie Foster.
Also, as someone else who has tried to date a lesbian, thanks for making me identify with a failed presidential assassin.
Brian, the paparazzi don’t care about Jodie Foster. Have you EVER seen a paparazzi photo of Jodie? I honestly cannot recall ANY photo of her that seemed to be a paparazzi shot.
I mean, look at her track record. She’s never really been involved in a major-league relationship with a high-profile star (Ben Affleck/J Lo; Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston) nor has she been “responsible” for breaking up a high-profile relationship (think Angelina Jolie). She apparently doesn’t do the “party” scene (Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton) nor does she make a “living” off her name (Paris Hilton) and, it’s pretty safe to say that she doesn’t indulge in “private” sex tapes (Pam and Tommy Lee, Paris Hilton–again).
Basically, she’s “dull” as far as the paparazzi are concerned. A lot of celebrities don’t show up on the paparazzi’s radar because they simply don’t do what the paparazzi want to see.
I didn’t know Jodie Foster was gay, though I agree about the “who cares” part. Though now I’m wondering if there’s a Wikipedia page for “List of publicly homosexual Tv/Movie stars”
The gay rights movement is largely still in its infantry . . .
I thought the military was “don’t ask, don’t tell.” ?
Best analysis yet 😉
The gay rights movement is largely still in its infantry . . .
And led by Militia Ethridge.
And led by Militia Ethridge.
Ow. Ow ow OW.
As for me, I apparently subscribe to the “who cares?” mindset to such a degree that I really DON’T notice before someone smacks me on the head. Jodie Foster is one thing, but I’ve had several friends or colleagues mention that they were gay (not even coming out so much as mentioning it in an everybody-knows-this sense) and I’ve been taken totally by surprise. (I suppose the only really “Tim, you’re an idiot” moment in that regard was when my previous school’s drama teacher mentioned something — in hindsight, he’s so stereotypically gay that it was really obvious, but I’d been there a year and a half before I realized anything.)
At any rate … better luck next time, Mr. Hinckley. (In terms of objects of affection, that is, not assassination attempts!)
TWL
Hmmm…I wonder if, in the ensuing CNN discussion, any mention was made of CNN’s Anderson Cooper… 🙂
Jodie who?
I have a phrase for the people who didn’t really seem to be “in” before they came out. It’s “in the phone booth.” They *think* they’re in the closet, but everybody can see them in there.
Here I’m mostly thinking of a guy I went to high school with. I couldn’t care less about which way Jodie Foster swings, except where it applies to John Hinckley jokes.
Posted by Jason M. Bryant
I was thinking “who cares?” when George Takei came out. It seemed to me that coming out at this point was like having a press conference to announce that you are left handed.
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D00D, be polite. I’ve heard that Peter David is left handed. 😉
Alan Coil: D00D, be polite. I’ve heard that Peter David is left handed. 😉
If that’s true, then he sickens me. Left handed people are a plague on American decency.
You know what’s worst about lefties? Their virulent recruitment efforts. Have you ever been to a lefty’s house and asked to borrow some scissors? Guess what kind of scissors those sons of bìŧçhëš hand you. That’s right, left handed scissors! They’re constantly imposing their agenda on others.
“D00D, be polite. I’ve heard that Peter David is left handed. ;)”
Yeah, but he’s taking steroids for that…
Rene makes an interesting point:
” And what makes me majorly pìššëd øff, as a gay person, is that most of these people keep hiding behind flimsy facades, fake marriages, and all that cowardly šhìŧ. If every one of these famous people were 100% open about their orientation, setting examples, they could make a difference.
“
I think I can see where you’re coming from, but at the end of the day I have to disagree.
For me, it’s down to every individual to decide how public they want to be about their preferences, regardless of their motivation.
Other people might be disappointed by the choice they make, but it’s still their choice.
Personally, FWIW, I don’t think we get to be “pìššëd øff” at their “cowardice” without getting ourselves to an uncomfortable level of judgementalism…
Cheers.
” That’s right, left handed scissors!”
Come on, a little sensitivity, please. That should read “That’s CORRECT, left handed scissors.”
(Okay, PC cloak of, I’m ambidextrous but my wife and my son are both left handed! Someone save me!)
“Personally, FWIW, I don’t think we get to be “pìššëd øff” at their “cowardice” without getting ourselves to an uncomfortable level of judgementalism…”
Yes, I know I’m being judgmental. But if we can apply Stan Lee’s immortal words to gay rights, “With Great Power…”
I don’t like it much when an ordinary person stays in the closet (and yes, I’m aware that I’ve been cowardly and hypocritical in the past myself, and I don’t like that about myself either), but I tend to have more sympathy for the little guy.
Now, a famous, powerful, influential person… actually a sizable group of such powerful persons, what a waste that most of them don’t try to make their sexual orientation more visible.
I think there is a lot of (justified) gripe about the conservatives, the religious fanatics, the bigots that make our lives harder, but we have to pull our own weight too, and consider how personal weakness in the part of many of us GLBT people contribute to the state of things.
I agree with the comment about George Takei being one very funny guy.
The reason you don’t see a lot of paprazzi stuff with Jodie Foster is pretty simple, unlike the most of the celebrities we hear about, Jodie
Foster is a responsible adult with brains and talent- not much interest in someone who’s not likely to stage their own public meltdown anytime soon.
This whole “Jodie Foster is a lesbian” thread is completely useless without pictures.
Jodie Foaster’s gay????
What’s next? Is Halle Berry going to come out as black?
But Rene, why should anyone have any right to tell others how to live their lives. What is “The closet” to you might be “keeping my own dámņ business my own dámņ business” to someone else. You admit that even when an “ordinary person” stays in the closet so it’s not exactly true to say it’s a matter of “With great power…”
It’s true that actors and actresses have influence and power way beyond their worth but that isn’t their fault and not all of them even want it–they just want to do their jobs (pretend to be someone they aren’t) and don’t see any particular need to share their private lives with the world. By what right do we tell them otherwise?
there are times when some out gays act amazingly like people who have converted to some religion and feel the need to convince others to join up as well. I always think that this behavior indicates a certain amount of insecurity of belief.
I’m not saying that this is true in your case but I think that some gays see a person who is closeted and maybe getting less grief than they are for being gay and want to out him or her so they can share the pain. That’s understandable but hardly noble.
I think I’m in-between Rene and Bill. I do think that it’s a good thing for prominent gays to come out and be role models. I also have respect for gay actors like Guillermo Díaz who are out from the start even though they’re not big yet.
But I wouldn’t condem those who don’t come out. Considering that Jodie Foster started getting adult-ish roles in the mid 70s, she might never have *become* a prominent star if she had been out from the beginning. Then we wouldn’t be having this conversation at all.
There is one odd thing. In the course of this conversation I decided to look up Jodie Foster’s IMDB page. There I found a quote from her about the movie adaptation of Sin City. Based on that quote, I’ve decided that she’s completely insane.
Wow, I had no idea she was/is gay. -Does this mean that I am now a narrow minded bigot for thinking that “Flight Plan” sucked?
Quoth Rene:
“Yes, I know I’m being judgmental. But if we can apply Stan Lee’s immortal words to gay rights, “With Great Power…”
I don’t like it much when an ordinary person stays in the closet (and yes, I’m aware that I’ve been cowardly and hypocritical in the past myself, and I don’t like that about myself either), but I tend to have more sympathy for the little guy.
Now, a famous, powerful, influential person… actually a sizable group of such powerful persons, what a waste that most of them don’t try to make their sexual orientation more visible.”
I don’t know.. does being famous constitute ‘great power’ these days? (The depressing thought occurs that “Yes” it quite possibly does…)
Agreeing that film folk do have influence, is telling a 100% dyed in the wool bigot that their favourite film star is gay going to change their whole outlook? Only in an incredibly small percentage of cases methinks.
Also, if these people have high enough profiles that they can draw more attention to their sexuality than Joe/Jo Shmoe from down the street, it follows that coming out will draw down a dámņ site more flak and furore than the average person gets…
I’m not saying that keeping their heads down is a courageous choice, or the right choice, but I do still maintain that it’s their choice.
Cheers.
(Okay, PC cloak of, I’m ambidextrous but my wife and my son are both left handed! Someone save me!)
To quote MST3K, “Boy, I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous.”
TWL
Ah, MST3K…is there nothing they didn’t say right? God how I miss it.
I think there is a legitimate fear among gay actors and actresses that studios will avoid putting them in romantic roles if the public knows they are gay. Romantic comedies are sold at least in part on the titillating premise that maybe there is some actual chemistry going on between the leads–witness the many stories, some planted, of on set romances. I know of a few such stories that HAD to be publicity stunts since people who were on set talked about how much the leads despised one another.
Note that Jodie Foster’s recent roles have avoided romance to a large degree…I think the last two killed off her husband/boyfriend early on (The poor guy in FLIGHTPLAN apparently died before we even took our seats.)
Now, in retrospect, watching Rock Hudson and Doris Day is WAY more interesting knowing what we know and his performance in SECONDS is searingly brilliant in current context but I think audiences would have laughed those movies off the screen. I’m trying to think of a current gay actor/actress who’s made a romantic movie in a hetero role…Ellen DeGeneres in MR WRONG? (or as one wag renamed it, MR WRONG-GENDER).
I mean, Rupert Everett is as good looking as they come and he’s a good enough actor to still get roles but since his coming out I’ve only seen him in gay roles, historical roles and as a voice actor for cartoons.
I just don’t think we should judge these folks. A Hollywood career can be measured in months and the slightest misstep can be disaster (For some. Others are teflon. Go figure.). Actors are some of the most insecure people I’ve ever met but there may be good reasons for that.
“I’m not saying that this is true in your case but I think that some gays see a person who is closeted and maybe getting less grief than they are for being gay and want to out him or her so they can share the pain. That’s understandable but hardly noble.”
Bill, I sufferd a lot more when I was in the closet, I can assure you. Leading a double life is a lot easier in the comics book than in real life, and also the anguish of trying to act like something you’re not, it was something that caused me pain. So, no, I don’t envy anyone that is in the closet.
As for what constitutes the closet and what is just minding your own business, I think that is the difference between being discreet and lying through your teeth. Keanu Reeves is discreet (won’t talk about his personal life with reporters, won’t confirm or deny whether he is gay), while Tom Cruise is lying through his teeth with his fake marriages and his desperate “I’m not gay” shouts.
I see the same sorts of situations among my friends, non-famous people. The lesbian that recruits a gay friend to pose as her boyfriend, the gay guy that flirts endlessly with women to appear macho to his straight friends. This is not being discreet. This is lying.
I don’t know whether it would change a bigot’s oppinion that lots and lots of entertainers are GLBT, but certainly it would make GLBT people more visible, and that is almost certainly a good thing. Deception is never noble, and exposure can be painful at first, but it eventually leads to acceptance in the long-term.
“Everybody lies about sex” is, allegedly, one of the half dozen eternal truths.
I don’t think I’m actually arguing with you Rene, other than that you’re “pìššëd øff” at how you interpret some peoples behaviour and I’m – by and large – happy enough to let people screw themselves up any which way they want to…
Hmmm.. How do you stand on deliberately outing someone in the public eye that you knew to be gay?
Cheers.
Didn’t Jodie Foster brother tried to sell the whole lesbian story to the tabloids a few years ago? At least I kind of remember that.
Anyway, here the media is talking about Foster’s “crystal closet” (similar to that phone booth concept), but more in the way that she didnt try to hide her relationship but didnt made it public, and that american media never really tried to dig that hole out of respect for Foster. Journalists beign respectful and minding for someone’s personal life? yeah right.
What does coppertone say about this? did she lose their endorsement deal? >;)
Bill, I sufferd a lot more when I was in the closet, I can assure you. Leading a double life is a lot easier in the comics book than in real life, and also the anguish of trying to act like something you’re not, it was something that caused me pain. So, no, I don’t envy anyone that is in the closet.
I can well believe it. But is it possible that others have made it work for them? And who are we to make that choice for them?
And how can you even say for sure that Tom Cruise is gay and his marriage a sham? Isn’t it possible he is bisexual and able to enjoy sex with his wife?
That’s assuming he not straight. I’ve heard the many rumors though I have to say I’m surprised that he’s be able to keep it a secret given the fact that there are probably several photographers following him around at all hours of the day. He’s had good luck suing anyone who claims they have proof that he’s gay (then again, so did Liberace!). Not that I care one way or another, it bothers me more that he seems to be a bit nuts.
“Hmmm.. How do you stand on deliberately outing someone in the public eye that you knew to be gay?”
As much as people being in the closet pìššëš me off, I think that outing someone against their will is pretty vile, and definitely too extreme for me.
Though I have to wonder if, in the long term, the forcefully outed person wouldn’t come to see the episode in a good light, I still think it’s a decision that is their own to make.
“And how can you even say for sure that Tom Cruise is gay and his marriage a sham? Isn’t it possible he is bisexual and able to enjoy sex with his wife?”
What, you won’t take my gaydar as hard evidence? 🙂 Okay, he could be bisexual (though personally I doubt it), and he would still be lying when he angrily denies ever being with the many men rumour has linked him with throughout the years.
Though you make a good point. I have to wonder whether having someone like Tom Cruise in the out would help or hinder the GLBT rights movement. 🙂
The gay rights movement is largely still in its infantry . . .
Say what you want about their infantry, but their cavalry, artillery and their light armored divisions are quite formidable.
I don’t know if this is reopening an ugly wound, but do you remember when Ellen DeGeneris came out? It was right when her sitcom (which had only so-so ratings) had been renewed for half a season. During the summer hiatus, in fact.
There was some belief that she chose that moment to come out because it would boost the ratings for what was then a tepid, slightly annoying sitcom. And in fact that happened; when the character she played came out, the sitcom lasted approximately one season more.
Although I will say she’s a more entertaining performer on her talk show now (not even bringing in her situation with the writer’s strike). Her humor seems more grounded in reality than in elaborate non-sequitur constructions. She’s grown from the performer she once was, and I can’t help but wonder if her coming out helped that.
And yes, George Takei SHOULD get a sitcom role. Although I think he has too much fun as Howard Stern’s announcer, as well as too much freedom to indulge in obviously sexual humor.
George Takei has been doing little comedy bits for awhile. I’ve seen him in several cameoes where he was a bit of a queen before he came out. Exagerated for comedy, I’m sure, but it still seemed a little odd before I knew more about him.
Not that he always did it that way. Here’s my favorite George Takei comedy bit ever: BLOW’D UP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td4VEGiIQmk