Closeted (gay) actors formerly on the soaps

[Soapsuds]

There is another word only gay guys use that I happened to use and that's how my friend discovered I was gay...but at this moment I can't recall the word I used....LOL. The word used was to describe something....

[Bright Eyes]

 

Fabulous? 

[Soapsuds]

Nope...but that's another one...LOL. I believe it was another word for beautiful. I actually caught myself saying it but it was too late....and my friend picked up on it right away....haha

 

Funny though I never have used the word fabulous......LOL

Edited May 20, 2019 by Soapsuds

[You're Soaking in it]

 

I can't see into the operation of each soap editor's mind. But I can tell you that from the 90's forward, there wasn't any culture of denial that I think you're describing here. Everyone knows / knew who was doing who - whether it involved being gay, straight, or bi... As Vee made reference to, every show had/has a publicist who is supposed to be in the loop on every interview & conversation their talent is having with the press. The talent is also supposed to be checking with the publicist on things they will or won't talk about. Nobody was to violate that publicist relationship.

 

The idea that the soap mags were overrun by women desperate not to shatter hunky delusions, is the real fantasy here. About a third of the magazines' editorial staff were gay men, and one of the most recognizable and respected editors in the industry was an out lesbian - certainly none of those were personally invested in maintaining such an illusion. But they and everyone else were all journalists who (*with a few infamous exceptions) always practiced with professionalism. They knew their #1 job was to produce the kind of compelling content that sells the issues.

 

Keeping an actor's sexual orientation, even their entire personal life - straight included  - out of the pages was always the doing of said actor, the actor's representation, and/or the production they worked for. 

Edited May 20, 2019 by YurSoakinginit

[j swift]

That is an excellent point, well stated, thank you for your insight

[You're Soaking in it]

 

Let me say, though, I know there are a few editors who attracted themselves some attention... and might have left the kind of impression you're describing! I don't fault anyone for their thoughts about the soap magazines. So really, thank you for bringing it up. 

[Vee]

 

But in fairness, isn't that exactly what a culture of denial is? They sold an image of the closeted actors to the predominantly heterosexual and (often) domestic female audience. They may be in on the real story but that's still selling a product. I absolutely don't think the magazines weren't in the know, but I do think they specifically reinforced a sanitized delusion, just like in the old Hollywood studio system. It was a lie agreed upon and a selling point.

 

I don't condemn anyone for things being as they were, but I am under no illusions about it not being a comfortable fiction willingly sold to an often clueless public.

Edited May 20, 2019 by Vee

[You're Soaking in it]

 

That isn't the same scenario that j swift was describing, which is what I was responding to. Maybe I should have said "self-denial."

 

But yes, "culture of denial" also applies to what you said, all of which is valid. Well beyond magazines (soap or otherwise), pretty much every part of the entertainment industry -  from execs, producers, publicists, to actors themselves - helped maintain that order. Too many still do.

[GymnastGuy]

Howard McGillin the last Dr. Greg Foster on Y&R

Russell Todd Goldberg the last Dr. James Frame on Another World

Christopher Durham: Matt McCandless on Capitol, Dakota on RH

[John]

Not Surprised on Russell or Christopher

Never saw Howard on YR

[Soapsuds]

I guess we can add Juan Pablo Di Pace to this list.

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[victoria foxton]

[Scrapple]

Maybe I'm blind, but I never would have picked out Christopher Durham or David O'Brien. 

[vetsoapfan]

 

Just for clarification's sake, Greg Foster was a lawyer, not a doctor. The physician in the family was his elder brother, Snapper.

[Paul Raven]

Speaking of Snapper, would William Grey Espy be included here?