Top 10 Best Gay Actors

Welcome to this list of the finest actors in the industry who have had the courage to live openly as gay individuals. As you dive into this thoughtful exploration, remember, our focus is solely on actors who are openly gay, honoring their contributions to the arts and celebrating the richness of their diverse experiences.

These actors have gifted us with an array of characters and performances, spanning across genres, and delivering profound, moving narratives that have shaped our understanding of the world and the human condition.

The Top Ten

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, magician, and singer. He is best known for his comedic television roles, including Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, and for his stage performances in musicals such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Harris has also hosted several... read more

Alright, acting-wise, he has yet to have a really serious role where he can show off his talent. But how can you help but love this wonderful man? He is adorable, wonderful, creative, and funny. It's sad he bats for the other team, but only because that leaves no shot for me.

I don't see why he's not on this list. He puts a lot of energy into his performances, so it's hard not to get into him. As demonstrated in Dr. Horrible and the Adventure Time episode "With Fionna and Cake," he isn't half bad of a singer either.

Hahaha, this guy! The main reason to watch How I Met Your Mother! And he looks good too. And I have to congratulate his recent fatherhood! That kid's childhood is going to be LEGEN... Wait for it... DARY. Neil Harris for the win!
John Barrowman

John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American actor, singer, presenter, and writer. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and moved to the United States with his family in 1975. Barrowman is well known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in the television series Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood.

John has proven time and time again what a versatile, funny, and charismatic actor and performer he is. From Doctor Who to Arrow to his musical performances, John Barrowman has been a gift from Scotland to America shared with the rest of the world. What a blessing he has been.

He is the most handsome and talented gay actor I have ever seen. And he is out for quite a while! He's truly exquisite! I love the way he acts, and he also has a lot of charisma.
He has a wonderful smile and lovely eyes too.

Wide emotion range on the screen, strong but vulnerable acting persona. Give him a good writer and director, and magic happens.
Excellent singer, good dancer, and a great sense of humor. The full package.
Ian McKellen

Sir Ian Murray McKellen is an English actor with a career spanning stage and screen. He has received six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Critics' Choice Awards, two Saturn Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards. McKellen is best known for his... read more

He is the most classy and versatile actor. He's a totally different self in each role and remains classy. You just have to admire and love him.

He is referred to as Sir, which is pretty darn awesome if you ask me. He plays Gandalf and Magneto... That's all I have to say.

Not even a competition.
Ramon Novarro
Chad Allen

Of these top ten, Chad has made his sexuality known through his movies and public service. He is a dashing, charming, daring young man.
He exudes masculinity through his sexuality. He's great.

He has always been hot. I wish that the USA was a bit less nervous about male nudity. We need to see him nude more often.

Great actor, love everything he has played in. I think he is the best actor.
Do you have a partner, and if so, who is it?
Matt Bomer

Matthew Staton "Matt" Bomer is an American actor. He made his television debut on All My Children in 2000 and gained recognition through his recurring role as Bryce Larkin on the NBC series Chuck. Bomer is also known for starring in White Collar, The Normal Heart, and Magic Mike, and he has won a Golden... read more

This guy really stole my heart at first sight. If anyone ever asks me which type of guy I feel attracted to, I will mention Matt - and Matt only!
He's the cutest, most handsome, most fanciable, and most desirable of all famous men.

Who gives a crap about John Barrowman, the current #1?! Matt Bomer > Everyone. No, everything.
He is super duper hot, sexy, and talented. Can't get enough of this guy!
Vote for him!

He is really cute and attractive. He is also a really talented actor. He is Superman! I love him.
God bless him. I want him to be always happy!
Nathan Lane

Nathan Lane is an American actor and writer. He is known for his roles as Albert in The Birdcage, Max Bialystock in the musical The Producers, Ernie Smuntz in MouseHunt, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, and Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Lane has received numerous accolades... read more

Nathan Lane is a very underappreciated actor. He is hilarious. I hope he will continue to make memorable films.
My favorite Nathan Lane film is Mouse Hunt with co-star Lee Evans. I recommend this movie. It is hilarious!

I loved him in The Birdcage with Robin Williams. He was hilarious! He and Robin Williams' couple roles were almost believable.
Jim Parsons

James Joseph "Jim" Parsons (born March 24, 1973) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019), a role that earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards. Parsons has also appeared in films such as Hidden Figures and The Muppets.

He is an incredibly talented comedian who always seems to make us laugh. He has a great writing staff behind him, but I doubt anyone else could deliver those complicated technical dialogues as well.

He is adorable! I feel ashamed that I was weirded out when I found out he was gay. Now I'm over that and I absolutely love him! He is an amazing actor too!

Jim Parsons is by far the cutest and most talented of any actor on this list. He should be #1.
T.R. Knight
William Haines

The Newcomers

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Jonathan Bailey
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Raymond Burr

Raymond William Stacy Burr (May 21, 1917 - September 12, 1993) was a Canadian-American actor best known for his title roles in the television dramas Perry Mason and Ironside. His career spanned several decades, and he became a fixture in legal and crime-themed television series.... read more

The Contenders

Chris Colfer

Christopher Paul Colfer (born May 27, 1990) is an American actor, singer, and author. He gained international recognition for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the television musical Glee (2009-2015). Colfer's portrayal of Kurt Hummel earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series... read more
Stephen Fry

Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English comedian, actor, writer, presenter, and activist. After a troubled adolescence during which he was expelled from two schools and, at age 18, convicted of credit-card fraud and imprisoned for several weeks, he secured a place at Queens' College, Cambridge... read more
Jonathan Groff

He's cute, a good actor. He was good in Knock at the Cabin and Glee.
George Takei

George Takei, born Hosato Takei, is an American actor, author, and activist. He is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek television series and its associated films. Takei is also recognized for his advocacy for LGBTQ rights and for raising awareness about the incarceration... read more
Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was an American actor, generally known for his roles as a leading man during the 1950s and 1960s. He gained fame through films such as Magnificent Obsession (1954) and Giant (1956). Hudson was also one of the first major celebrities to die from an AIDS-related illness in 1985.
Garrett Clayton

Gary Michael "Garrett" Clayton (born March 19, 1991) is an American actor, singer, and dancer. He is best known for his role as Tanner in the Disney Channel Original Movie Teen Beach Movie (2013) and its sequel, Teen Beach 2 (2015). He also gained attention for portraying adult film actor Brent Corrigan... read more
Jim Verraros
Harvey Fierstein
Michael Jeter
Ricky Martin

Enrique Martín Morales, commonly known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican singer, actor, and author who's often referred to as the King of Latin Pop. He began his career at age 12 as a member of Menudo. After five years with the group, he launched a solo career in the early 1990s, releasing several successful... read more

Papi! I love his music and him on Glee.
Zachary Quinto

Forget the cheerleader! Save Sylar! I really loved Zachary Quinto in Heroes. He was one of the best villains ever!
I hope someday NBC will change their minds and there will be another season of Heroes.

Bring back Sylar! He was absolutely brilliant on Heroes, and even better on Star Trek. He is destined for great things, for sure!
Richard Chamberlain

He was my number one heartthrob when he was Dr. Kildare, and for many years afterward until I found out he was gay! Still a wonderful actor!

I fell in love with him when I was at school and he was Dr. Chamberlain.
Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Earl Miller III, born on June 2, 1972, is a British-American actor and screenwriter. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Michael Scofield in the Fox television series Prison Break, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama.... read more
Jonathan Bennett
Derek Jacobi

Sir Derek George Jacobi is an English actor. He is known for his commanding stage presence and has performed in major productions such as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. Jacobi has also appeared in acclaimed television and film roles, including I, Claudius and The Crown.