From “American Psycho” to “The Dallas Buyers Club,” Jared Leto has received great acclaim for his unconventional taste in movie roles. Unfortunately, the Oscar winner doesn’t think an openly gay actor would have the same opportunity to take those chances.
Leto, 44, told GQ that he still thinks an actor’s sexuality directly impacts his or her chances of Hollywood success, even though he wishes it were different.
“I definitely don’t think a gay leading man would have the same opportunities as a straight leading man,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s offensive or not, but that’s my thought right now. It shouldn’t be that way.”
The “Suicide Squad” star went on to note that he believed that an openly gay actor’s opportunities in Hollywood are about the same as they are for any other minority group.
“I think that this is still a very conservative business,” he told GQ.
Leto has been more open to exploring sexuality and gender identity on the big screen when compared to many of his contemporaries. His turn as Rayon, a transgender woman, in “The Dallas Buyers Club” won him a 2014 Academy Award, even if some trans activists and critics were incensed by the portrayal.
Noting that he “never had a specific idea of masculinity,” Leto said, “We’re in an interesting time right now where people are exploring all kinds of different ideas of identity, not just masculinity or femininity. ...I think it’s okay just to be yourself and whatever that entails.”
Openly gay stars like Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Neil Patrick Harris have been making their own respective waves in Hollywood for some time now. So here’s to hoping they’ll be given the same shot at mainstream success as their straight counterparts moving forward.
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