6 Gay Actors Who Play Straight Characters: Neil Patrick Harris, Matt Bomer & More

Hollywood is the land of pretend. We fall in love with characters and forget that they are merely actors. Who could forget Matt Bomer as criminal Neal Caffrey in White Collar and Neil Patrick Harris as playboy Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother? And while these two were undoubtedly stellar in both roles, when the world found out that they were gay, it was rather remarkable – largely due to the fact that they played straight so well.

Of course, acting is about embodying an image and mindset that varies depending on what character the actors are portraying. In this case, there are countless actors who are gay but who are always cast as straight. Why? Well, who knows! But let's take a look at six amazing actors who always tend to play straight characters.

JODIE FOSTER 

(Photo : David Buchan/Getty Images)

Foster began her career at the age of three as a child model and she got her breakthrough in Martin Scorsese's controversial Taxi Driver. She became a popular teen idol by starring in Disney's Freaky Friday and Candleshoe.

Foster's breakthrough into adult roles came with her performance as a rape survivor in The Accused,

Apparently it was no secret in Hollywood, but Foster officially came out in 2013 in a speech after receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 70th Golden Globe Awards .

RAVEN SYMONE

Raven Symone was a very successful child actress and eventually got her own show titled That’s So Raven. She transitioned to a film career, starring in several films aimed at young audiences.

In June 2015, she joined the ABC panel show The View, after a period of guest-hosting.

Rumors of her sexuality have floated around Hollywood for a long time; however, Raven chose to ignore them. In 2013, she applauded the legalization of gay marriage in certain states. She then casually stated, “Now I could get married.” And that was it.

CYNTHIA NIXON

Miranda Hobbes of Sex and The City was a man-eater. Although she was never a Samantha, she still managed to keep her onscreen hubby Steve very happy.

The actress raised her profile significantly as one of the four regulars on HBO's successful comedy. Nixon won Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the show's final season.

She was in a relationship with school teacher Danny Mozes and they have two children together. Eventually Nixon came out as bisexual after a public split from her husband for many years. She is now married to a woman named Christine Marinoni.

MATT BOMER

Bomer is definitely classified as a Hollywood hottie. His talent and extreme good looks have led him to huge success in his career. He made his television debut with Guiding Light in 2001, and gained recognition with his recurring role in the NBC television series Chuck. He then played the lead role of a criminal in the series White Collar from 2009 to 2014.

A lot of women around the world were left broken-hearted when they found out he was gay especially after seeing him dance and sing like an angel in Magic Mike XXL.

In 2011, Bomer took the leap and married the love of his life, Simon Halls, and he publicly came out as gay a year later.

GEORGE TAKEI

Officially out in 2005, Takei has been a very strong supporter of same-sex marriage for over a decade. He is famous for his role on hit television series Star Trek.

The actor's Facebook page brought him new fame. He currently has over 9 million likes since he joined in 2011. He is also active in LGBT rights and has won several awards and accolades in his work on human rights and Japanese-American relations.

Takei married his partner of eighteen years, Brad Altman, in 2008.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS

Perhaps the most famous modern instance of a gay actor playing a straight role is Harris’ portrayal of the womanizing Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother. He is also best known for his portrayal as teen genius Doogie Howser on, well, Doogie Howser.

The actor came out in 2006, confirming in a statement: “I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.”

Harris is in a long-term relationship with actor David Burtka and has two beautiful twins. Gideon Scott and Harper Grace were born on Oct. 12, 2010.

Watch Barney's Playbook below:

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