Famous Actors Who Were Gay: Hollywood’s Hidden Stories
The Golden Age of Hollywood conjures images of glamour, iconic films, and larger-than-life stars. Yet, beneath the dazzling surface, many actors navigated a world where revealing their true selves could mean professional ruin. While LGBTQ+ visibility has dramatically increased today, the mid-20th century presented significant dangers for anyone deviating from perceived norms. This exploration delves into the lives of several Famous Actors Who Were Gay or rumored to be, shedding light on the hidden histories and personal struggles faced by stars during a less accepting era. Understanding their stories offers perspective on the progress made and the courage it took to live, even partially, outside the rigid expectations of the time.
Please be advised that some accounts may include sensitive details.
Katharine Hepburn: A Private Life
Katharine Hepburn, a towering figure in Hollywood known for her independence and acclaimed performances in films like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and The Lion in Winter, remains an enigma regarding her private life. While publicly linked to Spencer Tracy in a relationship heavily promoted by the studio, many sources suggest this was a carefully constructed facade masking a deep friendship, potentially concealing the sexual orientations of both stars. Scotty Bowers, known for his tell-all book Full Service, claimed Hepburn had numerous relationships with women over decades. According to Bowers (via BuzzFeed), he procured over 150 women for Hepburn, describing her preference for “nice young dark-haired” women without heavy makeup. He suggested these encounters were typically brief. Despite these persistent rumors and claims from figures like screenwriter Larry Kramer who asserted, “Hepburn and Tracy were both gay… Everyone in Hollywood knows this is true,” Hepburn herself never publicly confirmed these aspects of her life, maintaining a fiercely private persona.
Classic Hollywood star Katharine Hepburn in a promotional photo
Rock Hudson: The Heartthrob’s Secret
Rock Hudson was the epitome of the Hollywood leading man, a heartthrob whose perceived heterosexuality was crucial to his image. Behind the scenes, Hudson was a gay man whose identity was meticulously guarded by his agent, Henry Wilson. Wilson went to great lengths to protect his client, reportedly sacrificing information about another client, Tab Hunter, to Confidential magazine to prevent them from exposing Hudson. He even orchestrated Hudson’s marriage to his secretary, Phyllis Gates, a union that lasted three years, purely to quell rumors. Hudson managed to keep his private life separate from his public persona for most of his career. However, in 1984, he was diagnosed with HIV. Despite initial attempts to conceal the illness, the news eventually broke, making Hudson one of the first major celebrities publicly associated with AIDS. His openness, though coming late in life, significantly impacted public perception of the disease before his death in 1985. His story highlights the intense pressure faced by Famous Actors Who Were Gay during that era.
Portrait of Rock Hudson, a famous actor who was gay during Hollywood's golden age
Marlene Dietrich: Defying Conventions
German-born Marlene Dietrich was a force of nature who challenged conventions both on and off the screen. A product of Weimar Berlin’s artistic freedom, she embraced ambiguity and fluidity in her life and persona. Dietrich famously adopted masculine attire, sporting tuxedos and trousers in films like Morocco long before it was fashionable, influencing women’s fashion profoundly.
Marlene Dietrich in top hat and tails from the 1930 film Morocco, showcasing her iconic androgynous style
Her disregard for convention extended to her relationships. Dietrich was openly bisexual, involved with both men and women throughout her life, even while married to film producer Rudolf Sieber. Documented affairs include relationships with figures like Kay Francis, Edith Piaf, and potentially Greta Garbo. Her daughter, Maria Riva, detailed aspects of her mother’s sexuality in a tell-all book, suggesting Dietrich found relationships with women “much more satisfying.” Film critic Kenneth Tynan famously remarked Dietrich possessed “sex without gender,” capturing her unique and fearless approach to identity.
Greta Garbo: The Enigmatic Star
Hailed as one of the most beautiful women of her time, Greta Garbo was as famous for her captivating screen presence as for her intense desire for privacy. While linked publicly to actor John Gilbert, research suggests Garbo’s most significant emotional connections may have been with women. Author Diana McLellen, in her book The Girls: Sappho Goes to Hollywood, details Garbo’s passionate correspondence with women like Swedish actress Mimi Pollack and writer Mercedes de Acosta. McLellen also presented evidence suggesting a youthful relationship between Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Garbo never married and cultivated an air of mystery throughout her life, retiring from acting abruptly at the height of her fame. The persistent rumors and documented relationships paint a picture of a woman whose sexuality likely didn’t conform to the era’s rigid expectations, contributing to her enduring enigma.
Screen legend Greta Garbo, known for her beauty and private life amidst LGBTQ+ rumors
Cesar Romero: Open Secret, Public Persona
Cesar Romero, the debonair Cuban-American actor famed for roles alongside Hollywood’s leading ladies and later immortalized as the Joker in the 1966 Batman series, lived as an openly gay man within the industry. Known for his impeccable style and charm, Romero navigated Hollywood successfully without ever publicly confirming his sexuality. Among friends and colleagues, his orientation was an accepted fact, but for the sake of his career in a less tolerant time, it remained a carefully guarded “open secret.” He maintained close friendships, notably with Joan Crawford, and enjoyed a long career without public scandal related to his private life, demonstrating a different path taken by some gay actors of the era.
Handsome Cuban-American actor Cesar Romero, famous for playing the Joker and known to be gay within the industry
Cary Grant: Rumors and Relationships
Cary Grant, the definition of suave sophistication, faced persistent rumors about his sexuality throughout his career. While married multiple times, accounts suggest he also had relationships with men. The documentary Women He’s Undressed, based on the memoir of Australian costume designer Orry-Kelly, details a complex, long-term, and sometimes volatile relationship between Grant and Kelly spanning decades.
Hollywood heartthrob Cary Grant in a thoughtful pose, subject of persistent gay rumors
The documentary portrays Grant as someone forced to suppress his true self to fit the homophobic studio system. His relationship with Kelly reportedly soured partly due to Grant’s public relationships with women, leading to resentment and alleged abusive incidents. Katherine Thompson, the documentary’s writer, described their dynamic as involving “self-loathing and confusion,” even claiming Grant once threw Kelly from a moving vehicle. These accounts suggest a deeply conflicted private life behind Grant’s polished public image.
Tab Hunter: From Teen Idol to ‘Confidential’
Tab Hunter’s blond hair and boy-next-door good looks made him a major teen idol in the 1950s. His popularity rested heavily on his appeal to young female fans, making the secrecy surrounding his homosexuality paramount. Hunter himself described feeling isolated, caught between mainstream homophobia and a Hollywood gay subculture he didn’t feel part of. His career faced a major threat when Confidential magazine planned an exposé. As mentioned earlier, his agent Henry Wilson allegedly sacrificed Hunter to protect Rock Hudson, leaking details of Hunter’s 1950 arrest at a gay party. Despite this, Hunter’s stardom continued into the 1960s. He had significant relationships, including one with actor Anthony Perkins. Years later, Hunter embraced his past, publishing the memoir Tab Hunter Confidential in 2005, offering a candid look at his experiences as a closeted gay actor during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Ramon Novarro: Tragic End to a Star’s Life
Mexican-American actor Ramon Novarro rose to fame in the silent film era, often positioned as a rival to Rudolph Valentino. After Valentino’s early death, Novarro became a top Latin lover archetype, starring in hits like the 1925 version of Ben-Hur and Mata Hari. However, his career waned after MGM didn’t renew his contract in 1935. Novarro, a devout Roman Catholic, reportedly struggled deeply with his homosexuality but had relationships with men, including journalist Herbert Howe. His life ended tragically in 1968 when he was brutally murdered in his home by two brothers, Paul and Tom Ferguson, who had contacted him under the pretense of sex, intending to rob him. The sensationalized coverage of his murder unfortunately overshadowed his film legacy for some, bringing his sexuality into the public eye under horrific circumstances.
Mexican-American silent film star Ramon Novarro, a gay actor whose tragic death became sensationalized
Patsy Kelly: Boldly Out in Early Hollywood
While perhaps not as widely known today as some other stars on this list, Patsy Kelly was a recognizable face in 1930s comedies, often playing the witty best friend. What set Kelly apart was her remarkable openness about being a lesbian during a deeply conservative era. She reportedly spoke candidly in interviews, identifying as a “dyke” and mentioning living with her girlfriend, expressing no interest in marriage. Kelly also had a known relationship with Tallulah Bankhead, another actress known for her relationships with both men and women. While her openness may have limited her to supporting roles, Patsy Kelly stands out as a rare example of a classic Hollywood figure who lived relatively openly, earning her a dedicated following among classic film enthusiasts and LGBTQ+ historians.
Comedic actress Patsy Kelly, known for being openly gay in early Hollywood
Ruby Dandridge: A Life Less Documented
Ruby Dandridge, an actress and entertainer primarily known through her famous daughter, Dorothy Dandridge, also carved out her own space in Hollywood, appearing often uncredited in films like King Kong and Cabin in the Sky. After separating from her husband, Ruby moved with her daughters to Los Angeles, where she pursued acting. During this time, she formed a deep, lifelong bond with Geneva Williams. While the exact nature of their relationship is difficult to define definitively through the lens of historical documentation, contemporary accounts often refer to Williams as Ruby’s “lifelong companion.” Williams played a significant role in raising Ruby’s daughters. Their story offers a glimpse into the personal lives and chosen families formed by women in the industry, sometimes away from the spotlight focused on more prominent stars.
Actress Ruby Dandridge, mother of Dorothy Dandridge, whose relationship with Geneva Williams is noted in LGBTQ+ history
Conclusion: Reflecting on Hidden Histories
The stories of these famous actors who were gay or presumed to be part of the LGBTQ+ community during Hollywood’s Golden Age paint a complex picture of talent, fame, secrecy, and resilience. Stars like Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, and Tab Hunter navigated immense pressure to maintain a heterosexual public image, often at great personal cost. Others, like Marlene Dietrich and Patsy Kelly, challenged norms more openly, albeit still within the constraints of their time. Figures like Katharine Hepburn and Greta Garbo remain subjects of speculation, their private lives fiercely guarded. These hidden histories remind us of the profound societal shifts that have occurred regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance and visibility. While challenges remain, the contrast between the enforced secrecy of the past and the greater openness of today highlights significant progress, much of it built upon the quiet courage and complex legacies of those who came before. Their experiences are an integral part of Hollywood history, offering valuable lessons about identity, representation, and the enduring human need for authenticity.
