Will and Grace Star Confirms He's Gay
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Yup, he's gay in real life, too.
Sean Hayes, who played flamboyant Jack McFarland on NBC's Will and Grace for eight years, has publicly confirmed his sexuality for the first time.
The resolutely private actor recently gave his first interview to gay newsmagazine The Advocate after many denied requests.
The Advocate and other media had long criticized Hayes, 39, for not confirming what many have called the "open secret" of his sexual orientation.
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"Really? You're gonna shoot the gay guy down? I never have had a problem saying who I am," Hayes says in the new cover story.
"I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never," he states.
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The actor, about to star in the Broadway musical Promises, Promises with Kristen Chenowith, still bristles at the idea that he was somehow obligated to come out earlier. "Nobody owes anything to anybody," he says. "You are your authentic self to whom and when you choose to be, and if you don't know somebody, then why would you explain to them how you live your life?"
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The star of the popular, Emmy-winning gay sitcom adds, "I feel like I've contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I’m open to it."
Hayes remains hesitant to reveal too much about his personal life, however. "I spend time with a special someone in my life," he says simply. "That's all I need...I don't do a lot. I live my life like an 85-year-old man. I'm just quiet. It's fantastic."
Tell Us What You Think
65Sean Hayes MADE Will and Grace the success it was; "Jack" and "Karen" were the reason that show had as many seasons as it did. I absolutely LOVE Sean Hayes; I have never laughed at anyone on tv as much as I have with him. He surely didn't need to confirm anything to anyone, just like he said. What an actor does in his private life is none of our d.a.m.n. business.
I THINK I ALREADY KNEW THAT.
Really this is breaking news? really????!!
ummmm............ya think??
Im glad he's out, sorry he has to deal with hypocrpits that will say things like "God will judge you." and "You are wrong!" and so on and on. Im proud to say I have been raised that it was wrong and so was everyone in my family and in that I have three gay cousins on different sides of my family and I myself am a bisexual. Its upsetting that there are so many Bible thumping hypocrypts out there that will put down someone for being only "themselves".
You are right Karen God will judge him so we should not. Whether or not we agree with his life style it is his life and he should not have anyone trying to tell him how he should live it or when he should come out. Glad to see mostly positive reactions for a change.
You go Sean, its no one's business but your's even if people think it is obvious. It is your life not theirs! I am glad you waited to come out, it has to be on your schedule not someone eles's!
If the show were juse "Will and Grace" it would never have made it! The show should have been called "Jack and Karen!" and everyone knows it!
You go girl, its no one's business but your's. Duhh? Did anyone see "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss?" The point is who's business is it but yours? I have alway's lived by the ideal that if you are not sitting in my lap its none of your business what i a am doing with my pecker!
Who cares? I love him gay or not! He has the most beautiful blue eyes I ever seen.
I had a feeling he was gay but wasn't 100% sure. Glad he came out! You go Sean! ;)
God will judge him and when he dies he will go to Hell. I don't see how Hell can hold all the humans that are going to go there.
That's right it's nobodies business who or what you are and nobody can tell you when to come out or go back. You go Sean stand your ground.
I thought everyone knew that years ago. I love Sean, especially in WILL & GRACE. I miss him in that show a lot.
This is news? LOL. Besides, it's his own business who he tells or gives interviews to. I don't know why he caved now. Why bother?
WHO GIVES A RATS FLYING A.S.S IF HE'S GAY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HOLLYWOOD IS DUH !
I wish he had come out earlier, but I think he is a brilliant comedic actor. He still makes me crack up when i watch W&G on DVD, he is so funny. Better late than never, I suppose, so Kudos.
And, in other shocking breaking news, Gabourey Sidibe announces she is overweight.
This is about as shocking as when George Michael and Clay Aiken came out. I love George Michael..I was a wild 80's child and he was sexy as hell-even more sexy now..But, NO surprise when he came out about being gay and neither were Clay and Sean..LMFAO
oops I always thought he was!! He always made me crack up in Will and Grace!!