From Stanley Tucci To James Corden, Here Are 5 Straight Actors Who Have Played Gay To Varying Degrees Of Success

"You're supposed to play different people. You just are. That's the whole point of it".

Actor Stanley Tucci has recently said he thinks gay roles should not automatically go to gay actors.

Stephane Cardinale/Corbis / Via Getty Images

In an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Stanley said, "I really do believe that an actor is an actor is an actor – that you're supposed to play different people. You just are. That's the whole point of it".

The actor acknowledged that while some people may have issues with the straight men playing gay men – because any "inauthenticity" in an actor's performance could "block [a viewer's] engagement with the whole story" – he personally feels "fine" with it.

Naturally, Stanley – who has played gay twice in The Devil Wears Prada and Supernova – has drawn both support and condemnation for his views.

20th Century Fox/StudioCanal

BREAKING: Stanley Tucci is now a hateful right-wing bigot. https://t.co/Sg2lWzUwKd

— Gordon Kushner (@Gordon_Kushner) July 3, 2023

Twitter: @Gordon_Kushner

Stanley Tucci saying this like he would even have a career otherwise. https://t.co/rQkbzu5H7G

— Felicity 🏳️‍⚧️ ♀️ (@Tranarchic) July 4, 2023

Twitter: @Tranarchic

Of course, and vice versa. That's the point of acting, being able to portray emotions and lives other than the experience of people exactly like you in every single way. That's the job, that's the art, that's the talent. Plus Stanley Tucci is allowed to do any damn role he wants. https://t.co/WGoGfdY1oB

— Cas (@casempire) July 2, 2023

Twitter: @casempire

Stanley Tucci gets a pass but the rest of you WATCH IT https://t.co/MfiBz7QbqA

— This Queer is Running for SAG LA Local Board (@kyliesparks) July 7, 2023

Twitter: @kyliesparks

This isn't the first time actors have defended themselves on this point in particular. Indeed, after Scarlett Johansson pulled out of the movie Rub & Tug (in which she was due to play a trans character) Cate Blanchett made comments similar to Stanley's.

Jeff Spicer / Via Getty Images for Universal

"I will fight to the death for the right to suspend disbelief and play roles beyond my experience", the actor said during a Q&A at the Rome Film Festival. Cate notably played a lesbian in the 2015 film, Carol.

Whether you agree with them or not, Stanley certainly isn't the only straight bloke out here playing gay men. In fact, it happens A LOT. Here are five famous examples of when a straight actor went gay-for-pay...

1. James Corden in The Prom

Jeff Spicer/Netflix / Via Getty Images for BFI

For Netflix's adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical, James was cast to play the lead role of Barry Glickman, a showy gay Broadway type. His interpretation of the character drew plenty of criticism, including accusations of "gayface". James did not respond to the backlash directly, but did say he was "very proud" of his work on the film.

Just sayin', here are 17 people who could've done it better.

2. Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain

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Brokeback Mountain is undoubtedly a wonderful film, but despite its powerful story and award-winning performances, the casting of two straight men still sparked controversy when the was film was released back in 2005. Jake has recently commented that his casting helped break a stigma in Hollywood: "There was a stigma about playing a part like that, you know, why would you do that? And I think it was very important to both of us to break that stigma."

The actor also added that "people of all different experiences should be playing more roles, that it shouldn’t be limited to a small group of people."

3. Eric Stonestreet in Modern Family

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Eric is probably best known for his role as Cam Tucker in the ABC sitcom, but in real life, the actor identifies as "openly straight". Speaking to Larry King on the character of Cam and his portrayal of a gay man on screen, Eric said "it's a responsibility that [I] take very seriously... I always wanted Cam to be [a] person first and [his] sexual orientation somehow shuffled down the list of what defines him".

4. Darren Criss in Glee

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Darren memorably played Blaine Anderson in four seasons of Glee, as well as the serial killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Though many praised his performance, especially his Emmy award-winning turn as Cunanan, Darren has since vowed to never play gay again. "I want to make sure I won't be another straight boy taking a gay man's role", he told Bustle. The actor added that he no longer feels comfortable taking on queer roles, which he described as "unfortunate".

5. Trevante Rhodes in Moonlight

Michael Loccisano/A24 / Via Getty Images

Trevante exploded on to the film scene with his role in the Academy Award-winning Moonlight. The actor, who is straight, said he borrowed from his friend's lived experience of being gay, but also drew from his own life to inhabit the role of Chiron, a man questioning his sexuality.

Of his involvement in the movie, Trevante has said, "As actors and directors, I feel like our job, more so than anything else, is to shine a light on a subject and to let people know that they're not alone... If we can fathom stripping away sexual orientation, skin color, sex, we’re all the exact same: We just want connection. We just want love." He also added that though he was born loving women, "I easily could have been born loving men... It's the exact same sensation."

What are your thoughts on this topic? Let us know in the comments!