It's a scene that's resonated with people around the world.
Love, Simon is a monumental queer film known for being the first major Hollywood studio film to focus on a gay teenage romance. The impact is undeniably astronomical, but the relationship between Simon (Nick Robinson) and his father Jack (Josh Duhamel) has deeply resonated with many in the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the most pivotal moments in the film occurs when Jack embraces Simon as his gay son. The tearjerking scene has not only helped many queer people heal their traumatic coming-out experiences, but it's also served as the blueprint for family members to accept and love their child unconditionally.
"I remember when I read that script. He's been hard on his son and didn't know how to react to his son being gay. When he has that moment where he apologizes and comes clean to him, that's [when I realized], I have to play this part," Duhamel tells Out.
Although Love, Simon came out in 2018, Duhamel still receives a lot of love and support for his portrayal to this day. The actor says this movie serves as one of the most crucial roles he's ever played on screen.
"I have had a lot of people come up to me over the years thanking me for playing that part. It was never my intention! I just really liked the part and I felt like it was an important part. I appreciate [the love]."
Now, Duhamel is leaning into another father-figure role in his new film Neglected. The Emmy winner plays a detective who's on the brink of retirement before discovering his son is in danger and needs to be saved within a very short timeframe.
"I understood the character. He had a lot of guilt for not being there for his son because he worked so much. I can relate to that on some level. I feel incredibly lucky to be in this business going on 26 or 27 years now. I wouldn't be here without those who follow my career. I've never taken a single second of this for granted."
Duhamel stars alongside Dylan Sprouse in the thrilling project, and the two established actors bonded over their passionate fanbases who have supported their endeavors for decades.
"When I meet fans in person, I'm stunned and very thankful. I'm blessed to have a very diverse group of people who have been following me since I was very young. I've grown alongside them and if they want to talk to me like I'm their cousin, they're fully allowed to whenever they want," Sprouse tells Out.
Neglected premieres this Friday in theaters. To see the full interview with Josh Duhamel, check out the video at the top of the page.
