Inspired by Daniel Craig’s ‘Queer’ journey, here are more A-listers who successfully went “gay for pay”
Luca Guadagnino’s new film, Queer, received an 11-minute standing ovation following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Many critics singled out its very straight and gorgeous star Daniel Craig—Mr. 007 himself—for praise in his role as Lee, a lonely American in Mexico City, circa the 1940s, who goes on an erotic journey of self-discovery after becoming obsessed with a younger Navy serviceman (Drew Starkey).Craig’s heralded performance once again stirs up the conversation over who should be allowed to play queer roles in film & television.
And while there have been some undoubtedly egregious examples over the years, a few straight stars have managed to prove it can be done thoughtfully and sensitivelyInspired Queer‘s premiere, here are four other films we love that star straight actors who played gay authentically and with humanity.Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this 2013 portrait of legendary pianist Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his fraught relationship with lover Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) offers a unique look at the musical icon and his unorthodox, closeted lifestyle.
Douglas and Damon play Liberace and Thorson with great honesty, their increasingly toxic—but still loving—dynamic proving to be an incredible dual character study.
