Daniel Newman of ‘The Walking Dead’ comes out: ‘Whatever [happens] with my career’s going to happen’

Can’t say how much I love seeing a young actor come out simply because he feels like it is the right thing to do.

Daniel Newman, best known for The Walking Dead and Vampire Diaries, took to social media earlier today to share the news that he is gay.

First he tweeted: ‘I’m #OUTandPROUD #LGBT Love you guys. Be proud to be yourself. We need everyone just the way you are!’

Later he posted a video in which he explained that he had an epiphany while volunteering at a homeless shelter for queer youth.

A fellow volunteer complimented him on being a straight guy helping out. When he said he was gay she asked Newman why he wasn’t out in public when he ‘could reach so many people.’

‘It hit me like a gut-punch,’ he says. ‘It felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me. I realized how important it is in this day and age to be visible, to have people know who you are.’

He had been in the closet for career reasons.

‘I’m an actor. The whole world, the industry, is like “Here’s your big break, you’re on The Walking Dead, you can’t come out, you can’t be in the press, because everything you work so hard for is going to be gone – there’s no gay or bi leading men, no action heroes, your career’s going to be over,”‘ he explained.

‘I don’t care. Because I know what’s right.’

He added: ‘Whatever [happens] with my career’s going to happen, but I’m standing with you guys.’