Entertainment
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Im Liberace without a piano, Paul Lynde once said. It could have been on one of his TV specials, or a 70s talk show like Dinah Shores, or during his legendary stint as the center square on Hollywood Squares.He was not kidding. The comedian and actor was full of tongue-in-cheek one-liners, usually delivered with a withering voice, his hand fluttering up to his ascot. Except for Liberace, and maybe Snagglepuss, there was no one else on TV that shamelessly gay. Lynde was something rare: A popular gay man on TV who wasnt a punch line. Instead, he made them: Host: Why do Hells Angels wear leather? Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily. While he is most recognizable for his stint as the center square, Lynde had a long career in theater, film, and television. He wasnt out of the closet, but he certainly wasnt trying to butch it up. The man appeared in People magazine in a caftan. He was so blatantly gay that nobody believed it. This is the world that thought Rock Hudson and Rip Taylor were straight, says Michael Airington, an actor who portrays the comedian in his show Oh My Goodnessits Paul Lynde. He was a total fruitcake, but that was partly what made you laugh. A straight man couldnt do that kind of biting comedy. Lynde, like most funny people, had a challenging childhood. An overweight kid who longed to be famous, he grew up poor and lost his mother, brother, and father in one year. At Halloween Mom would hand me the shower curtain. And it didnt fit. So she let it out and I went as the Hindenburg. It was a disaster, he said on his 1976 Halloween special with guest stars KISS, Florence Henderson, Donnie and Marie Osmond, and Roz Pinky Tuscadero Kelly. Do yourself a favor and YouTube the disco finale (see above). Send a letter to the editor about this article.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
39 male celebs who did full frontal scenes
June 05 2024 9:37 AM
38 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
July 23 2024 2:33 PM
28 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
May 22 2024 5:21 PM
These pics prove that Maluma is still our supreme thirst trap king
May 22 2024 6:29 PM
26 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
July 03 2024 4:21 PM
18 times male celebrities had to say they weren't gay
June 21 2024 2:58 PM
15 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
July 09 2024 11:33 AM
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
February 14 2024 10:20 AM
45 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
June 18 2024 4:45 PM
Here's how long each Pit Crew hunk has been on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
February 09 2024 2:16 PM
Latest Stories
A queer artist's journey from ballet to photography
July 24 2024 7:30 PM
10 of 'Love Island's most notable LGBTQ+ islanders
July 24 2024 3:37 PM
July 24, 2024
July 24 2024 10:53 AM
Matthew Macfadyen learned lots of colorful phrases from 'Deadpool & Wolverine'
July 24 2024 10:41 AM
'Deadpool & Wolverine' is foul mouthed fun—but how gay is it?
July 24 2024 10:24 AM
Give Benedict a male love interest in 'Bridgerton' season 4, you cowards!
July 23 2024 4:52 PM
All the 'Drag Race' queens on OnlyFans (& what they're showing)
July 23 2024 4:19 PM
MUNA's Katie Gavin is officially in her solo era, releases first single
July 23 2024 1:28 PM
Want to see Tessa's Testicles? 'Global All Stars' queen is now on OF
July 23 2024 11:23 AM
87 LGBTQ+ athletes we'll be rooting for at the 2024 Olympics
July 23 2024 11:01 AM