TV's Top 10 Gay Characters
Wednesday 19th November 2008
When television first arrived on the scene it was essentially a visual version of the most popular medium of the time: radio.
It attempted to transfer, with varying degrees of success, the adventure serials, mysteries, and news programs from sound to the small screen. Back in the 40s and 50s television was an immensely clean-cut, family oriented medium that strove not to explore deep societal and humanitarian issues but to provide entertainment to the masses and sell a large amount of commercial goods to the families watching at home.
As time went on television programs began to explore more complicated subject matter than “Lucille Ball eats a lot of chocolate and has pratfalls”. Ethnic minorities began to appear, and as the great social upheaval of the 60s went on some shows began to reflect the changes going on in the real world.
But despite television increasingly reflecting the world’s diversity, gays and lesbian characters were almost unheard of. It was occasionally implied that a one-off character on a show might be gay, but it took until 1972 for a major character, Jack Panama in The Corner Bar, to be identified as gay. Despite the barrier being broken gay and lesbian characters didn’t become common at all until essentially the last decade.
However, television is finally beginning to realize the value of gay characters. We’ve compiled a list of 10 of our favourite gay and lesbian TV characters from across the years.
10. Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) - Will and Grace
Sean Hayes’ “camp as camp can be” portrayal of Will’s best friend Jack McFarland was a hilarious, if well over the top, portrayal of a New York City gay man. Jack is unashamedly gay, proclaiming his pride in his sexuality as loudly as he proclaims his love of Cher. Though some people find him an offensive stereotype, Jack was one of the first mainstream media representatives of the real-life “gay best friend” phenomenon, with him acting as Karen’s best friend. Jack was a powerful character and this was recognized by the Emmy committee, which nominated Hayes for Best Supporting Actor seven consecutive years for his portrayal of Jack, winning on his first go.
9. Brian Kinney (Gale Harold)- Queer as Folk (US)
Brian Kinney was once named the most popular gay character of all time by AfterElton readers. Based on Stuart Alan Jones from the British version of the show, Kinney is an incredibly vain, self-centred, promiscuous drug abuser. Despite his narcissism however, Brian has real depth. He fathers a child with a lesbian couple and his concern over his skills as a father, after growing up with an abusive alcoholic for a dad, was incredibly touching. He gives up a lot to help defeat an anti-gay Mayoral candidate and helps young Justin recover from a vicious gay bashing. While his promiscuity has made him a polarizing figure in the gay community, Harold’s acting skills and Queer as Folk’s development of the character have ensured his popularity.
8. Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig)- The L Word
Shane McCutcheon is the lesbian most gay gals aspire to be or who want to be with.Shane is a bit like the lesbian version of Brian Kinney. She parties hard, abusing drugs on occasion, and claims to have been with is a massive number hit with the of women. But like Brian Kinney from Queer As Folk, she has far more depth than it may seem at first glance. She is a fiercely devoted friend, walking off the set of a movie when her friend Jenny lost control of it. She cares deeply for people, and is a sometimes tragic figure when people manipulate her and use her for their own ends. Her backstory is also tragic, coming from a broken home to working on the streets before finally becoming a hairdresser and getting her life together. Despite her painful history, Shane can overcome with her immense inner strength, and is one of The L Word’s best loved characters.
7. Dafyd Thomas (Matt Lucas)- Little Britain
Played by real-life gay man, and recent gay divorcee, Matt Lucas, Dafyd Thomas is a parody of attention hungry gay men whose life revolves solely around their sexual identity. Dafyd calls himself “the only gay in the village”, when in fact the Welsh town of Llandewy Brevy is filled to bursting with a vibrant gay scene. Dafyd sees discrimination everywhere, even when its nowhere to be seen, and spends his time creating a gay section in the library (which already has a much larger one), drinking Bacardi and Cokes while oblivious to the gay scene around him, and working towards social change with the Gay Rights for Gays Party.
6. Willow Rosenberg (Allyson Hannigan)- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Willow Rosenberg is a good witch, who helps her best friend Buffy and the rest of the Scooby Gang defeat demonic evildoers. She’s also incredibly intelligent, belonging to the Math, Science and Computer clubs, and just so happens to be a lesbian. She’s an invaluable asset to the Slayer and friends, but she’s not without her flaws. She’s finally forced to confront her own dark side after becoming addicted to using magic, and not always for good. Despite the occasional murderous rampage, Willow uses her forces mostly for good, and is a passionate activist for downtrodden groups.
5. Ellen Degeneres- Ellen
Ellen’s coming out became one of the biggest television events of the 90s. The real-life Ellen had come out in February 1997, and in April of that year her character followed. It was one of the highest rated episodes of the entire series, and millions around the US gathered to watch her come out. Ellen was one of the first ever lead characters to be gay. While there had been gay characters before, there had never been a gay title character. Sadly, Ellen’s popularity declined after the coming out episode helped the show reach its peak, and it was cancelled a year later. Ellen, however, bounced back and today is one of the biggest daytime talk show hosts in the business, having won a number of Emmy’s for The Ellen Degeneres Show.
4. Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)- Torchwood
Captain Jack is not exactly gay or even bi, he’s a 51st century human who’ll be with anything, alien or otherwise, as long as it’s gorgeous. Played by openly gay actor John Barrowman, Captain Jack was introduced to the world in the creepy and incredible Doctor Who episode “The Empty Child”. His roguish, handsome pansexual character proved so popular he wound up with his own spin-off series: Torchwood. The former con-man turned time traveller sticks around in 21st century Cardiff, the site of a space-time rift, to help the planet prepare for the 21st century which, according to him, is when it all changes. Captain Jack is a role model for many not just because of his sexuality but because he is also a hero. So often gay and lesbian characters are comic or tragic, used as camp jokes or somber sobre depictions of loss and difficult decisions. Captain Jack, however, is in no way conflicted about his sexuality, just conflicted about how best to save the world time and time again.
3. Vito Spatafore (Joseph R. Gannascoli)-The Sopranos
Vito was one of Tony Soprano’s right hand men on the celebrated HBO series. The hardcore mobster also happened to be a closeted homosexual. When discovered at a gay bar by some mob foot soldiers, Vito’s sexuality quickly becomes a major issue. Phil Leotardo, related to Vito’s wife, is incensed by Vito’s “embarrassment” of the family and is out for blood, forcing Vito to flee to Vermont where he enjoys living as an openly gay man. Eventually, however, he can’t escape his past and returns to New Jersey, only to be slain. While the mobsters seem extremely homophobic, as they allegedly are in real life, Tony begins to appreciate his friend as more than a homosexual just as he loses him. The Sopranos treated Vito’s sexuality with the complexity and realism that made the show a classic, and though he died Vito’s legacy is a strong one.
2. Oscar (Oscar Nunez)- The Office (US)
Mild-mannered accountant Oscar is one of the most consistently funny performers on The Office. His “coming out” story was one of the show’s most classic episodes, beginning with Michael accidentally outing Oscar and ending with Michael attempting to show how ok he is with homosexuality by planting a kiss on Oscar’s lips. Not too much is made of Oscar’s sexuality on a daily basis, which is as it should be, but Michael’s cluelessness about homosexuality is a constant source of amusement, for example his wondering if Oscar’s “roommate” Gill is aware that Oscar is gay.
1. Waylon Smithers (Harry Shearer) – The Simpsons
Waylon Smithers, Mr. Burns overly devoted lackey and constant companion, is also the show’s stereotypical “gay” character. Although it’s never actually confirmed he’s gay, anyone who has seen the show has been presented with a raft of obvious clues from double entendres to his kiss of Mr. Burns when the apocalypse loomed. Smithers gently pokes fun at the stereotypes people have of the closeted homosexual, from his penchant for Barbie-style dolls to his love of “It’s Raining Men”. Waylon is an extremely caring and competent employee and a devoted friend and companion whom Mr. Burns would never be able to do without and, funnily enough, is possibly the series’ best comedic straight man.
It attempted to transfer, with varying degrees of success, the adventure serials, mysteries, and news programs from sound to the small screen. Back in the 40s and 50s television was an immensely clean-cut, family oriented medium that strove not to explore deep societal and humanitarian issues but to provide entertainment to the masses and sell a large amount of commercial goods to the families watching at home.
As time went on television programs began to explore more complicated subject matter than “Lucille Ball eats a lot of chocolate and has pratfalls”. Ethnic minorities began to appear, and as the great social upheaval of the 60s went on some shows began to reflect the changes going on in the real world.
But despite television increasingly reflecting the world’s diversity, gays and lesbian characters were almost unheard of. It was occasionally implied that a one-off character on a show might be gay, but it took until 1972 for a major character, Jack Panama in The Corner Bar, to be identified as gay. Despite the barrier being broken gay and lesbian characters didn’t become common at all until essentially the last decade.
However, television is finally beginning to realize the value of gay characters. We’ve compiled a list of 10 of our favourite gay and lesbian TV characters from across the years.
10. Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) - Will and Grace
Sean Hayes’ “camp as camp can be” portrayal of Will’s best friend Jack McFarland was a hilarious, if well over the top, portrayal of a New York City gay man. Jack is unashamedly gay, proclaiming his pride in his sexuality as loudly as he proclaims his love of Cher. Though some people find him an offensive stereotype, Jack was one of the first mainstream media representatives of the real-life “gay best friend” phenomenon, with him acting as Karen’s best friend. Jack was a powerful character and this was recognized by the Emmy committee, which nominated Hayes for Best Supporting Actor seven consecutive years for his portrayal of Jack, winning on his first go.
9. Brian Kinney (Gale Harold)- Queer as Folk (US)
Brian Kinney was once named the most popular gay character of all time by AfterElton readers. Based on Stuart Alan Jones from the British version of the show, Kinney is an incredibly vain, self-centred, promiscuous drug abuser. Despite his narcissism however, Brian has real depth. He fathers a child with a lesbian couple and his concern over his skills as a father, after growing up with an abusive alcoholic for a dad, was incredibly touching. He gives up a lot to help defeat an anti-gay Mayoral candidate and helps young Justin recover from a vicious gay bashing. While his promiscuity has made him a polarizing figure in the gay community, Harold’s acting skills and Queer as Folk’s development of the character have ensured his popularity.
8. Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig)- The L Word
Shane McCutcheon is the lesbian most gay gals aspire to be or who want to be with.Shane is a bit like the lesbian version of Brian Kinney. She parties hard, abusing drugs on occasion, and claims to have been with is a massive number hit with the of women. But like Brian Kinney from Queer As Folk, she has far more depth than it may seem at first glance. She is a fiercely devoted friend, walking off the set of a movie when her friend Jenny lost control of it. She cares deeply for people, and is a sometimes tragic figure when people manipulate her and use her for their own ends. Her backstory is also tragic, coming from a broken home to working on the streets before finally becoming a hairdresser and getting her life together. Despite her painful history, Shane can overcome with her immense inner strength, and is one of The L Word’s best loved characters.
7. Dafyd Thomas (Matt Lucas)- Little Britain
Played by real-life gay man, and recent gay divorcee, Matt Lucas, Dafyd Thomas is a parody of attention hungry gay men whose life revolves solely around their sexual identity. Dafyd calls himself “the only gay in the village”, when in fact the Welsh town of Llandewy Brevy is filled to bursting with a vibrant gay scene. Dafyd sees discrimination everywhere, even when its nowhere to be seen, and spends his time creating a gay section in the library (which already has a much larger one), drinking Bacardi and Cokes while oblivious to the gay scene around him, and working towards social change with the Gay Rights for Gays Party.
6. Willow Rosenberg (Allyson Hannigan)- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Willow Rosenberg is a good witch, who helps her best friend Buffy and the rest of the Scooby Gang defeat demonic evildoers. She’s also incredibly intelligent, belonging to the Math, Science and Computer clubs, and just so happens to be a lesbian. She’s an invaluable asset to the Slayer and friends, but she’s not without her flaws. She’s finally forced to confront her own dark side after becoming addicted to using magic, and not always for good. Despite the occasional murderous rampage, Willow uses her forces mostly for good, and is a passionate activist for downtrodden groups.
5. Ellen Degeneres- Ellen
Ellen’s coming out became one of the biggest television events of the 90s. The real-life Ellen had come out in February 1997, and in April of that year her character followed. It was one of the highest rated episodes of the entire series, and millions around the US gathered to watch her come out. Ellen was one of the first ever lead characters to be gay. While there had been gay characters before, there had never been a gay title character. Sadly, Ellen’s popularity declined after the coming out episode helped the show reach its peak, and it was cancelled a year later. Ellen, however, bounced back and today is one of the biggest daytime talk show hosts in the business, having won a number of Emmy’s for The Ellen Degeneres Show.
4. Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)- Torchwood
Captain Jack is not exactly gay or even bi, he’s a 51st century human who’ll be with anything, alien or otherwise, as long as it’s gorgeous. Played by openly gay actor John Barrowman, Captain Jack was introduced to the world in the creepy and incredible Doctor Who episode “The Empty Child”. His roguish, handsome pansexual character proved so popular he wound up with his own spin-off series: Torchwood. The former con-man turned time traveller sticks around in 21st century Cardiff, the site of a space-time rift, to help the planet prepare for the 21st century which, according to him, is when it all changes. Captain Jack is a role model for many not just because of his sexuality but because he is also a hero. So often gay and lesbian characters are comic or tragic, used as camp jokes or somber sobre depictions of loss and difficult decisions. Captain Jack, however, is in no way conflicted about his sexuality, just conflicted about how best to save the world time and time again.
3. Vito Spatafore (Joseph R. Gannascoli)-The Sopranos
Vito was one of Tony Soprano’s right hand men on the celebrated HBO series. The hardcore mobster also happened to be a closeted homosexual. When discovered at a gay bar by some mob foot soldiers, Vito’s sexuality quickly becomes a major issue. Phil Leotardo, related to Vito’s wife, is incensed by Vito’s “embarrassment” of the family and is out for blood, forcing Vito to flee to Vermont where he enjoys living as an openly gay man. Eventually, however, he can’t escape his past and returns to New Jersey, only to be slain. While the mobsters seem extremely homophobic, as they allegedly are in real life, Tony begins to appreciate his friend as more than a homosexual just as he loses him. The Sopranos treated Vito’s sexuality with the complexity and realism that made the show a classic, and though he died Vito’s legacy is a strong one.
2. Oscar (Oscar Nunez)- The Office (US)
Mild-mannered accountant Oscar is one of the most consistently funny performers on The Office. His “coming out” story was one of the show’s most classic episodes, beginning with Michael accidentally outing Oscar and ending with Michael attempting to show how ok he is with homosexuality by planting a kiss on Oscar’s lips. Not too much is made of Oscar’s sexuality on a daily basis, which is as it should be, but Michael’s cluelessness about homosexuality is a constant source of amusement, for example his wondering if Oscar’s “roommate” Gill is aware that Oscar is gay.
1. Waylon Smithers (Harry Shearer) – The Simpsons
Waylon Smithers, Mr. Burns overly devoted lackey and constant companion, is also the show’s stereotypical “gay” character. Although it’s never actually confirmed he’s gay, anyone who has seen the show has been presented with a raft of obvious clues from double entendres to his kiss of Mr. Burns when the apocalypse loomed. Smithers gently pokes fun at the stereotypes people have of the closeted homosexual, from his penchant for Barbie-style dolls to his love of “It’s Raining Men”. Waylon is an extremely caring and competent employee and a devoted friend and companion whom Mr. Burns would never be able to do without and, funnily enough, is possibly the series’ best comedic straight man.
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