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Sean Hayes: “Some people in the gay community were very upset with me for not coming out on their terms”
The Los Angeles Times had a chat with Sean Hayes about his television career and starring in Sean Saves the World, his first sitcom since Will & Grace ended in 2006.
Here are some excerpts:
“Will & Grace” was controversial in the beginning, and your character, Jack, was accused of being “too gay.” When did you realize the tide was turning?
I was so young. It made me go back in the closet [with the media] because I was so overwhelmed at 26 or 27. I didn’t want the responsibility, I didn’t know how to handle the responsibility of speaking for the gay community. I always felt like I owed them a huge apology for coming out too late. Some people in the gay community were very upset with me for not coming out on their terms. They don’t stop to think about what’s going on in somebody’s personal life, and the struggles that they’re having. It was all very scary. We got death threats. It was a really rough time for me, but I was also having the time of my life.
You use your real name for your character. Is the character modeled on you?
Somewhat. I like common sense, to try and be the voice of reason at work. And that characteristic is very much prevalent in the character.
What kind of offers did you get after “Will and Grace”?
Not too many. I still don’t. That’s why you have to be a multi-hyphenate now more than ever if you like to constantly be working and remain in this business. And if you want something, you have to do it yourself, although I love auditioning. I love showing people that I wasn’t that guy, the guy in “Will & Grace.”
So you’re nothing like Jack McFarland?
That’s the ironic thing. I’m so boring and grounded, and I like quiet and I like structure and I like goals. I couldn’t be more opposite from Jack McFarland.
Here is a LINK to the entire piece.
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Tommy Marx says:
I think Sean Hayes came out publicly when he was fully prepared to come out, and I’m glad he waited until he was ready. I think we should allow all people – celebrities or those not-so-famous – that luxury. We all have our own timelines. I came out relatively early. I know some people who haven’t come out yet. And it’s all the way it should be. Each person has to decide for himself or herself when the time is right (if it ever is).
With that said, I hope to the gods Sean Hayes gets better writers for his show. I watched the first two (three?) episodes on Hulu and deleted it from my preferences. It’s not horribly bad. It’s just not good or memorable or anything at all. It’s bland and it’s painful because it wastes such a great cast. The only major feeling I have at all about the show is wishing Sean would kill his boss so he can be replaced with someone even vaguely resembling a real human person.
RichB in PS says:
Well spoken Tommy Marx with may be one little exception, ‘luxury’.
Sam says:
I was disappointed that the writers made him a comic ego wack-job on Smash. Especially when he was so terrific in B’way’s Promises, Promises. The guy needs better writing then and now.