Many Hollywood stars of yesteryear who were LGBTQ+ were forced to hide who they really were. In those days, if it was even rumored that you might not be straight, it could ruin your career permanently. And if it was ever confirmed that you weren’t straight, you were basically cooked.
▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Cary Grant and Randolph Scott
02:03 - Montgomery Clift
03:22 - Merv Griffin
04:46 - Jim Nabors
05:36 - Cesar Romero
06:20 - Rock Hudson
07:33 - Outro
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Thankfully, society has come a long way since then, and being in the LGBTQ+ community is no longer thought of as a negative. In fact, the pendulum has perhaps swung the other way, where gay stars and other people in the LGBTQ+ world are celebrated and appreciated for their talent and positive effects on society. In this video, we’re taking a look at some of the prominent actors from the older days of Hollywood who were forced to live a secret double life.
While they were actually gay or bisexual, they felt as if they couldn’t be who they truly were, for fear that it would ruin their career. And while the town of Hollywood was a lot more liberal than the rest of the country, that didn’t mean these stars could come out publicly. For many, it was an open secret in town that they weren’t straight, but the general public had no idea. So join Facts Verse, as we present: Gay Actors of Old Hollywood Who Had to Live in Secret
Gay Actors of Old Hollywood Who Had to Live in Secret
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I think it was much better when actors kept their personal lives to themselves.
You always do a Great Job at these, your honesty and clarity of the are well done...Thank You!
Hollywood should never be about morality or direction. This is a FACT. Keep it on the screen to entertain. We do not care about your opinions or life style.
You can add Burt Lancaster to the list. Although he married several woman and had lots of kids ( like Brando) he slept with lots of men, including B-list actor and self-confessed gay man, Earl Holliman. When Lancaster came to the UK in the 1960's he watched the singer, Vince Eager performing. He called him to his table and promised him a role in a forth-coming movie - IF he was prepared to go back with him to his hotel room. Eager, who was straight, declined the invitation, but pressed Lancaster about the proposition of a movie part. Lancaster replied angrily : "If you don't come back to the hotel with me, you ain't gonna get any movie role". Needless to say, Eager remained a pop star.
Oh no say it ain't so
Boom! Who Knew! 🎉
OMG I never knew what
@@dianeamaral8151 Oh yeah. An open 'secret' in Hollywood. Dirty Burty.
And John Wayne according to Paul schrader from taxi driver.
The only one of these that I didn’t know was Merv, Griffin and Cesar Romero. I was kind of surprised that those two.😮
I found out in the 90s about Merv Griffin from the tabloids. He use to date Eva Gabor to through the off the trail.
@hellraiserx: Are you for real?!
@@roberttelarket4934 no, I’m for fake. I don’t really follow who’s gay and who’s not are you?
@@hellraiserx9490: I was, am now and always will be a lipstick lesbian! Ha!
@@shadykatie100 I could have sworn that Merv Griffin was married at least once to a woman, maybe more than that!
I didn’t know about Jim Nabors. That kinda blew my mind. Also the fact that ALL of Mayberry knew! Andy, to me, was always the epitome of manliness. I’m glad he knew and he still loved Jim. Just seals it for me
I’m so glad that you said that. It really feels like there was a safe space back then. I don’t have to completely antagonize that time and place feeling like it’s against my gay identity and community. To think that someone like the guy who played Andy Griffith accepted a gay man is healing and inspiring. If I had a time machine, then maybe I could go back then and feel safe.
@@thecharger98Thank you for sharing your comment. In Mr. Roger’s documentary A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Mr. Rogers found out that Francois Clemons was gay and said that he still loved him as a person.
Really? You didn’t know.
@@Dianne-qv5mx only ever saw him in Andy Griffith and a few episodes of USMC. Knew he had a musical career as well. He acted dopey, not gay. He wasn’t the Richard Simmons type. So no, had no clue.
I'm not shocked that these celebrities kept there personal life a secret and I believe was the best choice even in the present era depending on your family situation it's still best to keep one's personal life a secret I don't think there will ever be an era where everyone as the human race will one hundred percent agree if it's ok or not to be of the LGBT group all anyone can do is just be yourself 😁
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@@FactsVerse female actresses who were gay or allegedly gay
@@marioncarson3083 it doesn't usually seem as hard on female stars. Noone cares as much about trans females unless they were men or women you. thought were women. Janet Leigh had no control over her situation. She was always a great actress. She adopted a child. So, one wonders how she was ever not a female!
No mention of Tab Hunter! Loved the quote he made when interviewed about wanting to be sure his story came directly from the horse's mouth rather than horse's ass. He loved horses. So do I.
No big deal I knew most of those people were gay. I didn’t care I wasn’t gonna marry them. I enjoy their talent that was the basic part of it for me. People should be able to live their lives as they choose without being ostracized.
And go to the shrink!
Well said I agree
There's one famous Hollywood actor that was missing in the video that was gay and that was James Dean.
That's because some people believed James dean was bisexual
@@angelaholmes8888 Agreed
It wasn't until the 1990's that actors started coming out as gay or bisexual. Tab Hunter was another actor.
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When Tab appeared in Polyester in 1981 with a “confirmed bachelor” legacy behind him, there was little left to the imagination about it. Everyone pretty much knew at that point
My Uncle Richard told me in the late 70s that Rock Hudson and Jim Nabors were gay. I was about 12, but he said he heard it through the grapevine.
Heinrich Himmler was gay as a 3 dollar bill! How he pulled that off when the Nazis outlawed homosexuality I don't know! SS privilege I guess....
As a Los Angelean, I knew about all these people, as I think millions of others also did. We didn't (or at least I didn't) let it affect patronage of their films. One portrayal by Rock Hudson was especially amusing if one knew he was gay. In a movie with Doris Day, (I think it was "Pillow Talk") he played the role of a straight man pretending to be gay. Interesting that Anthony Perkins, Tab Hunter, Richard Chamberlain, Charles Laughton and numerous lesbian actresses weren't mentioned. And there were people who denied it but "everybody" knew: Paul Lynde, Liberace, etc.
Richard Chamberlain , who played Dr. Kildare, etc
The one that shocked me the most and wasn’t mentioned in the clip was my favorite actor, Marlon Brando, who said the love of his life was Wally Cox! That shocked me more than Brando being gay! WALLY COX? Seriously!
WOWOWOOOWOWWOWO
I agree that Marlon and Wally were a strange combination, but opposites attract.
My mother and I loved watching the Merv Griffin show every night from the mid-1960s--80s. When Denny Terrio's story came out about Merv harassing and literally going after him - it shocked me. Then I met a female who worked at the studio who told me that Merv was gay. I remember that his "wife" stayed on the east coast - while his show moved to the west coast. When u find out the Real Merv - very nasty, mean and controlling - it's hard to comprehend.
We're very happy to know that you and your mother are a fan of The Merv Griffin Show. Which episode appealed to you the most?
@@FactsVerse Merv was a great interviewer - and his guests weren't pushing their latest movie or book - it was all so natural and entertaining. I sure miss the "olden" days. Now- there's very little to watch on tv - unless you're under 30.
Yeah, that's nice projection there Merv! I always thought he was a hypocrite...Elton John came out openly many years ago when it wasn't easy for him. -Kudos 🌈
Merv had nerve.
@@heru-deshet359 Yeah he had nerve alright!
I have no problems with actors who are gay. Their personal lives were no concern of anyone. I knew about Rock Hudson but I still enjoyed many of his films. However, I never really rated Randolph Scott or Cary Grant as actors. I saw them as lightweight actors, even though Scott appeared mostly in westerns.
Randolph Scott was often cast as a Macho Man.
Tom Lehrer's song "Send In The Marines" has "We'll give them all we got, John Wayne and Randolph Scott, Remember all those Exciting Fighting Scenes..."
Randolph Scott is still my favorite Cowboy Hero. Furthermore what they did in public, on screen or other media is called acting. I was entertained, and that is what mattered.
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Sounds like Clift wanted his personal life left personal why can't people honor that.
I had always had a crush on Montgomery Clift, gay or not!
@Kathleen, there is no such thing as "personal" when you reach stardom and fame; intrusion comes with the title, and the celebs know this early on.
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@@FactsVerse We would like to see Tim doing a Q&A with members.
an entertainer's real fans don't judge them by their private lives
We absolutely agree! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Be safe and have a great day!
True, and it’s not like a person can choose to be straight , or anything really
I disagree. That’s just a token declaration. Judging one’s favorite stars, i.e. public figures, by their personal lives is basic human nature, totally predictable
What I love is now there is a book out that showed the actor who played in the tv series The Rebel was lovers with Elvis . They both were bisexual but the Colonel knew about it and stated that at least Elvis was not getting girls pregnant . The book is called THE REBEL AND THE KING .
There was no "transgender" until John Money's theory and the famous Christine Jorgensen. Maybe cross dressers and female impersonators...
There is three or four of the stars that I didn't know that were in the video, but at that time they did what they thought was right for them. But I agree with them for what they did, they are still star's.
I was just a kid in the 60s and 70s and everyone knew that Jim Nabors was gay.
In '71, there was a big scandal about Rock Hudson & Jim Nabors.
My mother and her 6 brothers had gay friends back in the day! They didn’t live in secret! 😎😎
Actors can be who and what they are by they mean it's there way of privately living does not matter who you are leave there private life
Romero was great in swashbucklers--Captain from Castile as Cortez.
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Wow. I did not know about Merv Griffin or Caesar Romero. Or, maybe I had forgotten! 🙂
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I never knew that they were poll smokers
There is no way that I BELIEVE THAT JOHN WAYNE OR PAUL NEWMAN WERE GAY. NEVER💯
If they were, so what! Let people live their lives.
Paul Newman… _maybe_ bi. John Wayne,,,LOL not a chance…
This was a good one, I really enjoyed it. I knew about most these stars through having friends in the industry. One you didn't include was Anthony Perkins. Glad you mentioned Caesar Romero - he was often Joan Crawford's "date" at many events. Joan loved the gay guys!
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@@FactsVerse More content on Joan Crawford would be nice and some of the scandals during the silent era. Ramon Navarro has an interesting history.
Patsy Kelly and Edward Everett Horton weren't mentioned.
These people have been gone for several years so why are their private and sexual orientation(s) being discussed? Leave them in peace.
I knew about Monty, Jim Nabors and Rock Hudson.
I never knew about Merv 😂
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Facts about celebrity homes.
Me either
What ever anyone from celebrities to everyday common person sexual preference is It doesn’t matter! One can preform his/her duties in their profession no matter what! We as humans are all different and we should not deprive ourselves, Some people may agree some may disagree. however, ultimately it is no one’s business! Arrivederci!
Not that i have anything against the gay community,but the reveal of Randolph Scott and Cesar Romero blew me away. They were portrayed as such ladies men, especially Scott.
I knew that these stars were gay but went to watch movies to enjoy not like them only because they were gay or straight what ever they did was not in front of me so I enjoyed
Such a beautiful story. What other types of video would you like to see?
That's why they call it " acting "
Jonathan Bailey might be perfect as Rock Hudson in a biopic film
Cary Grant and many others were bisexual. They may have been more one or the other at times, but he wasn't just gay. In fact he saw a psychiatrist. I try not to imagine him and Randolph Scott, the original scout in Last of the Mohicans, if I recall correctly. I lived for morning matinees at 6. I was often late for school. Mom left at 7:30am. I was supposed to leave at 7:40. But those old films about history pulled me back. Sometimes I was "sick." And I loved THE DUKE. Sands of Iwo Jima, Yellow Ribbon, even The Green Beret, which made me angry at the near end.
I figured that Montgomery clift was gay
Wow I didn't know about Merve Griffin or Ceasar Romero the one that really blew me away was when I had heard Raymond Burr was gay.
I understand it. I do think it was not possible to live openly in 1940s to? But if a fan is crazy over a male idol, the letdown of many might affect his career. I don't know how men think of lesbians. It too could be off-putting.
I already knew everything.....The only ( sad) surprise has been Cary Grant 😢
If these stars revealed their sexuality, it would be career suicide. Why should the public care about who they sleep with? They deserve a private life as well as anyone. I guess it comes with the territory.
Thats a surprise that merv griffin was gay wow never would of guessed i knew Rock Hudson was gay & Jim Nabors thats their business NOT mine if they were gay & didn't want no one to know
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I would never have thought these two cuties were like that Oh well I guess you just don’t know.
I remember the suit with merv and Danny no one believe him because after he got fired then he claim sexual harassment
I am gay been with my husband for 29 years and it was they was on love and Hollywood should have supported this homosexual was around for centuries greak gods had young boys
Cary Grant wasn't Gay then He was bi sexual that's different as you say.
Roddy McDowall and Danny Kaye were rumoured to be gay.
I suspected Roddy McDowall but I didn't know about Danny Kaye
@@user-et5lt4gf4i Look into it, rumour is that Danny Kaye had a relationship with Laurence Olivier.
Danny Kaye had a fling with Laurence Olivier@@user-et5lt4gf4i
Alot Music & Hollywood Stars Were on the Down Low.
It seems to me, these people did what they had to do in order to keep their careers.
Sad they had to hide.
Indeed.
We absolutely agree! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Be safe and have a great day!
So People What Do You Tell Your Children ,He’s Pregnant , God Said Man Does Not Lay With Man and Woman Doesn’t Lay With Women, These People Are Only Interested In Sexual Desires and They Could Care Less About Our Creator and The Children They Hurt 😊
@@chrisnorcutt9060 What do you tell your children why mom & dad spread so much hate & violence to those who are different from themselves?
How about Van Johnson?
I heard Van was pulled into that life, and eventually went to therapy and straightened out.
David Niven as well.
Caesar Romero?
i hope i dont hear anything about lee marvin or charlton heston being gay (no offence ) i loved these 2 rugged male actors mens men loved em ☺❤👵
I didn't know that Jim nabors was gay
You didn't?
Well surprise! Surprise!
I heard rumors.
He and his partner were together for 47 years.
I didn't know, nor do I care to know, whether or not Merv Griffin was gay. And that his longtime friend and companion, Eva Gabor, who was also on his talk show a lot, was just simply his "beard." He never talked about his personal life. He kept his private life private. If he chose to stay in the closet, that was his business. He probably took the rumors that he was gay to his grave. Only God alone is going to judge him, just like He's going to judge everybody else as well.
No way was Cary Grant gay. That being said, and you've heard me say it before, what someone does in their bedroom is their business. It seemed Old Hollywood thrived on controlling the actors and actresses off screen. Each person is entitled to do what they want and as long as it isn't hurting someone, let them have their choices and lead their lives. Thank you 😊
He is not gay that’s a lot of lies
Cary usually played the romantic guy on the screen - and women adored him. That would not have happened if people knew he was gay.
I agree with you he has a beautiful daughter she's also an actress ! Please leave Carey Grant alone !Stop saying those things about him he was a great actor !
@@jonaydogan2275 totally agree
There's bucket loads of evidence that Grant was not straight. First there's the relationship with Randolph Scott - longer than all but the last of Grant's five marriages, and confirmed to by multiple reputable house guests who stayed with the couple and attested to them being lovers. Then there's Grant's prior relationship (before his Hollywood years) with Australian designer Orry-Kelly, who lived with CG in New York and wrote about it in his memoir, only recently uncovered (and the subject of a documentary, Women He Undressed). BTW, at this time CG was mostly getting by as a "gigolo", if not an actual rent boy - relying on "the kindness of strangers" - male strangers. There's also the testimony of Scotty Bowers, the Hollywood pimp who apparently arranged gay assignations for Grant. The latter might be easily dismissed as suspect if it weren't for the fact that most of Bower's other tales of Hollywood's "secret" gays have been independently verified. Additionally, at least one of Grant's early marriages was a publicity stunt, ordered by the studio to quash the gay rumours. And it's fairly likely two other early marriages were similarly motivated. None of them lasted much more than a year; all of them were suspect in several ways.
they are entitled to exercise their right to live in paulbonerism, I know Liberace would have been proud of them
Mere Griffin 😮
To bad They could not be open back then
Paul Newman is straight,Raymond burr was gay too
You have to do what you have to do. I wouldn't come out back then.
Franklin Pangborn, Tyrone Powers, Charles Laughton, John Wayne, Anthony Perkins, Liberace, James Dean, Vincent Price, Paul Newman, Paul Lynde, Wally Cox close friend of Marlon Brando, . . .
Tyrone power was not gay that’s a lot of nonsense
Paul Newman was gay? I don't believe it...nor Tyrone Powers.
@@DANIEL666YUSUPOV_KAZANOVA: He was bisexual in other words gay whether you like it or not!!!
@@bobbylee9727: Both were bisexual whether you want to believe it or not!
I doubt Paul was gay, I heard Tyrone was bi.
It is really noones business some of them seemed really tragic
were you under the bed when they were having sex? when will we get past all this nonsense? rock hudson never asked me who i was sleeping with. i accorded him the same respect. what difference does it make.
Who Care' s about their Love Lives.
What about Raymond Burr
No, not LGBTQ+, just gay men.
Rock Hudson was so hot. 😭
So true, what is your favorite role of Rock!
@@FactsVerse hard to choose, I really liked him in Pillow Talk & Send Me No Flowers!
😢❤️
Of course there were Gay Republicans like Rock Hudson.
🙄 Really??? 😂
@Craig, of course there are bisexual Democrats like Hillary Clinton who weren't Hollywood "stars" So what's your point Einstein?
@@allan9603 being Gay isn’t Political! Some people only see life through a Political lens…
@@allan9603 You forgot Elinor Roosevelt.
@@craigbrowning9448 So true, not only a Democrat and bisexual, but so far to the left, she thought California was her home state! Some say AOC is a little light in the ruby slippers as well. And the band played on...
Yes, the public was aware of most entertainer world 🌎 was gay and especially the handsome that could never stay married. They had the world’s most beautiful women at there beck & call as well as plenty of money 💴.
Did Raymond Burr, Victor Buono and Dick Sargeant stay in the closet totally, or just for their public image?
Indeed, this list only touches on the many gay Hollywood stars, but WHY?: You wasted time on the likes of Jim Nabors & Merv Griffin. Nick Adams, Van Johnson, Tab Hunter, Richard Chamberlain.........
No one’s business
I don't like that this LBTQ+ high jacked the colors of the rainbow. I won't wear anything with a rainbow now. Call me what you want. Except....
Ok, I will call you what I want! Silly.
@annal3708 just don't call me late to supper... If I were to wear any rainbow jewerly or a tee shirt with a 🌈 or, the colors, it's ASSUMED I'M gay. Yes or No? Yes ✔️ I don't like that. They need to come up with another color scheme or symbol that they develop. I don't care what anyone does in private or not. I just want the rainbow back.
@@lhaynes6361well if it because you're religious then don't over eat at dinner that's gluttony
@mhancock5760 I want the rainbow back. It wasn't theirs to high jack. Don't get your knickers in a twist. It's true isn't it? Case closed. Jmho
@@lhaynes6361 it's ours now
David Manners
James Dean was gay.
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Wow, Merv Griffin was gay? He was best buds with Ronald Reagan, who knew?
Maybe Griffin and Reagan had an affair.
He was buds with a lot of anti gay politicians, " I got mine, screw everyone else "
Then like now there were a lot of Republicans who liked a wide stance.
Senator Larry Craig from the " family values " state of Idaho
I've never openly talked about my heterosexuality. In the closet my whole life. Does anyone care?
😂Ilr!!!!??
Not now, not anymore ,come out ,come out whoever you and let us love the real you !!!😙
People don’t abuse others for being heterosexual. It was actually illegal to be gay. And in some backwards places (republican areas) it’s still a huge issue. So don’t make pathetic comments.
Everyone's sexual preference is their own personal business. It doesn't need to be shoved in anyone's face
@@Insectoid_ Are you kidding? My daughter's as gay as they come, and AN ACTIVIST, purple hair and all! You are completely uninformed or a liar.
What About John Wayne?
I never Hurd he’s gay he married with 3 Mexican women
@@michaelle8384 so did Rock hudson
It's possible!
I believe you should separate you personal life with you professional job I don’t know why you have to hide it you grown just live Hollywood life so you can be happy I don’t understand it
Cary Grant? No way. Too bad he is no longer here to defend himself.
What? no women??
I had heard that Marlene Dietrich was bisexual. Also, Dusty Springfield was gay and Leslie Gore, as well.
Watch out for part II 💗
The Most Woman in Ho. Wood not was so good Looking only for MONEY MONEY BUSINESS and became PROMINENT. JEAHH 😂. The nice Mans TAKE nice Mans Gys
wish I could hide that im black.
Your comment is priceless!
“Mom, Dad…I’ve got something to tell you. I’m Black!”
Why should we be thankful that sin is accepted in our society ? Don't we remember what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah ?
Amen!
An atomic explosion
I bet they threw some killer parties before the Christians showed up
Yes, we knew they were gay. Yes, they were right to keep their personal lives private. They had class. Too bad the now generation is so classless!
Revealing Your sexual orientation is classless? Is that also true for heterosexuals?
They also would have been out of work, it was a matter of survival
@@seveglider8406heterosexuals don’t “reveal” their sexual orientation. We live in a heterosexual propelled world: That’s the formula for continuation of the species. The OP is referring to the “current thing” of shoving one’s sexuality in the faces of the public
@@seveglider8406It is nobody's business to know other's sexual persuasions.
@@tinakollia9420 You're correct. However many ultra right Neo conservatives want to stick their nose inside every person's sexuality and control every Woman's uterus!
The World was a Better Place when the Freaks were in the Closet.
😂
Too bad a lot of the stars can't keep their political opinions to themselves.
Amen to that.
Leave well alone. Does it really matter. Loved them all for there talent
@@lizritchie7223 talent? Professional Liars and emotionally disturbed? It isn't normal behavoir to cry or laugh on que. It isn't natural to be such a great liar that you pay to see them lie to you
Why?? You have a right to express your political opinion -No?? If you were a famous actor do you surrender that freedom of speech???
@@Tully241 I would have enough sense to realize that in some cases that many of my fans did not share, or care about my opinion. To answer your question, I'd keep my opinions to myself. Hope that answered your question.
Gabor sister
Gabor " beard " and I'm sure that she and other " beards " were well compensated for it
I wish they had all stayed in the closet!!
NO NO NO OMG NO....NOT ("GOMER PYLE" aka JIM NEIGHBORS!!) ..OMG THIS IS SO DISAPPOINTING😞😞😞
Many years ago, I was at CBS in Hollywood and when I walked into the parking lot - there was Jim Nabors. Very friendly and spoke with his real voice.
As a little girl when I first saw Jim Neighbors on Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, I knew there was something very different about him than other male actors I knew, but I didn’t know what it was. But some of the other males identified here I had no idea about. I really don’t want to know their personal life. If I know someone is gay it is hard for me to believe male female romance storylines.
GOLLEY!
God created man and woman, a man will leave his mother and father and unite with his wife. What God has joined, let man not separate. Marc10v9
Tell that to all the pedophiles who preach the word of their so called god!