Five of Hollywood’s Hottest & Most Iconic Actors Who Were Likely Queer

In today's (mostly) evolved society, gender and sexual expression have become not only widely accepted by society at large, but it could even be considered a brandable asset in certain industries like Hollywood. But, as we all know that wasn't always the case, and there was a time when it would be not only be a career-ender, but a total destroyer of social standing, as well. Below, we look at five actors suspected. of being Queer and closeted in Old Hollywood.

Rudolph Valentino

Star of the silent film era, Rudolph Valentino was devastatingly handsome actor who had a penchant for playing more effeminate roles. This garnered him the nickname The Pink Powder Puff, although the roles weren't the only pink aspects to this potential puff. Born in Catellaneta, Italy, Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina d'Antonguolla (which loosely translates in Italian to "Mmmm fuck yes") moved to the states in 1913 and a few years later moved to San Francisco where he tried his luck (to massive success) in the silent movies. To fight off the gay rumors, Valentino was married to Jean Acker in one of the first ever "Lavender marriages." Lavender marriages were studio-arranged as a way to hide their stars' sexual orientations, first started by the Universal Film Company which would terminate actors' salaries "if they forfeit the respect of the public.” Acker (who famously locked Valentino out of their hotel room on their wedding night) would eventually be outed as a lesbian. The two divorced shortly after their wedding and Valentino would go on to marry costume designer Natacha Rambova in 1923, a marriage that ended in 1925. All I'm saying is I want to go back in time and fuck Rudolph Valentino to see what his orgasm sounds like. I bet he cums super loudly.

James Dean

America's most famous bad boy was also decidedly Queer. It's become fairly accepted that Dean was at the very least bisexual, reportedly having had relationships with the likes of Marlon Brando, Martin Landau, and Sal Mineo, just to name a few. Before his untimely death in 1955, Dean was redefining what it meant to be cool, what it meant to be sexual, and what it meant to be "masculine." His relationship with Brando was apparently an incredibly intense and borderline-unhealthy one.

Marlon Brando

That's the perfect segue for America's other Golden Era leading man: Marlon Brando. The man that immortalized Stanley Kowalski and Don Corleone alike was rumored to be quite fluid in his sexual expression. He and James Dean had a notoriously complex relationship, and one that was apparently quite dom-sub, as well. Though Brando claims in his memoir that he first met Dean on the set of East of Eden in 1954, the two actually first "met" in 1949 when Dean was a student at The Actor's Studio and Brando was coming back for an appearance. Dean was seated in the back of the audience and was staring at Brando with such intense adoration that Brando told Actor's Studio co-founder Bobby Lewis that he 'felt [his] skin burning'. Ironic, because some insiders claim that Brando and Dean's sex would sometimes include Dean asking to be burned with cigarettes. Brando was, in fact, The Wild One.

Cary Grant

Photo Credit: Lloyds of Hollywood

Speaking of Golden Era leading men, there are few who were as big or as iconic as Cary Grant. Considered the epitome of "handsome leading man" for the era, Grant's acting range wasn't the only thing that existed on a broad spectrum! In 2016, Oscar-winning costume designer Orr-Kelly wrote in his autobiography that the two had a years-long relationship on the side, saying Grant would “always come home” to him. While Grant was apparently fairly open about his fluid sexuality before he became famous, that side of his personal life became incredibly private once he evolved into a household name. He even went so far as to sue - and win against - Chevy Chase for saying he was gay on a late night show. Many have speculated that his relationship with longtime roomie Randolph Scott was a romantic one, although some historians have pointed out that their living together was part of a marketing campaign by Paramount to portray them as eligible bachelors. They lived together for over 12 years... that's one hell of a commercial. In 1934, the studios ordered Grant to get married and he did so to Virginia Cherril. The two divorced 13 months later and Grant moved back in with Scott. Oop.

Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins is one who is a real head-scratcher, given that he was so known to be a real head-giver. There was not much doubt as to whether or not the star of Psycho was fucking tons of men, nor that he had a long-time romance with Tab Hunter, and yet he not only tried to keep that private from the public, but even went on to marry a woman. He was married to Berry Berenson from 1973 until his death in 1992, passing away from AIDS. Perkins was an exceptional actor, a truly gorgeous man, and also a multi-lingual musician releasing a number of French singles. #SweetButPsycho

BONUS CONTENT: William Haines' Gay-ass Self

After being discovered by a talent scout in 1922, Charles William Haines signed with Goldwyn Pictures. He was cast in the 1924 film Midnight Express and after receiving good reviews, his career quickly skyrocketed. He became a huge box office draw, known for playing the arrogant, smart-ass leading man. Even though he was unapologetically gay, and very open about it even when he was first discovered, the anything goes attitude of the 1920s was being quickly replaced with the puritanical bullshit of the 1930s. The studios gave him an ultimatum: publicly deny his homosexuality or be fired. Instead he quit. In 1935, he started a very successful interior design business with his partner Jimmie Shields, with much of their clientele being Hollywood peeps.

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