BERLIN - Veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen has criticised Hollywood for putting pressure on gay actors to stay in the closet for the sake of their careers.The British star said he found it distressing that it was still "very, very, very difficult" for an American actor in the movie business to be upfront about his sexuality.
Speaking at the Berlin International Film Festival, Sir Ian was guarded about what impact the success of Oscar front-runner Brokeback Mountain - about a gay relationship between two cowboys - might have.
The 66-year-old Lord of the Rings actor is one of the cinematic world's most high-profile openly gay stars. He came out in 1988.
"It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality and even more difficult for a woman," Sir Ian said.
"The film industry is very old-fashioned in California."
Sir Ian said his own career in mainstream films "really took off" after he came out.
He was awarded an honorary lifetime achievement Golden Bear in Berlin.
from Telegraph
No comments:
Post a Comment