• Log in
    Out.comFashionEntertainmentDesignLifestyleTravel & NightlifeOut ExclusivesNewsPrintWeddingsVideo
    ADVOCATEPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    Email NewsletterSubscribeSubscriber Services
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Out MagazineOut Magazine
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    11 Gay Men We Want to See Win Acting Oscars

    Mey Rude
    | 02/22/22

    11 Gay Men We Want to See Win Acting Oscars

    It's way past time for a gay actor to win an Academy Award!

    gay actors

    With the recently-announced Oscar nominations earlier this month, we were reminded once again how rare it is for the Academy to nominate queer actors. While both Kristen Stewart (for Spencer) and Ariana DeBose (for West Side Story) were nominated, making for the first time two out actors have been nominated in the same year, no out gay male actors were nominated at all, despite some stellar performances.

    In fact, it's been twenty years since an out male actor was nominated for an acting Oscar, the last one being Ian McKellan's Best Supporting Actor nod in 2002 for Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. An out gay male actor has yet to win an acting Oscar -- and we think that needs to change.

    Many of today's best actors are gay, and they deserve the roles and the attention that can get them nominations, and wins. Here are 11 gay male actors we think deserve an Oscar in the years to come.

    RELATED | 11 Queer Women We Want to See Win Best Actress Oscars

    1. Ian McKellan

    ian mckellan

    Ian McKellan is the blueprint. He was nominated twice for Oscars, for Gods and Monsters and The Fellowship of the Ring. Unfortunately, he didn't win either. We'd love to see him get some juicy new roles and get back on the Oscar nominations list.

    2. Colman Domingo

    colman domingo

    While he's had a long and storied career, Colman Domingo is giving some career best performances in recent projects. He could have been nominated for Ma Rainy's Black Bottom or for this year's Zola. And soon, he'll be playing civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in a biopic, which should be perfect for Oscar consideration.

    3. Billy Porter

    billy porter

    Billy Porter has yet to enter his true movie star era, but we are READY for it! He's already a Tony winner for the role of Lola in Kinky Boots, and an Emmy Winner for playing Pray Tell on Pose, and we think it's about time he added an Oscar to that list. Who knows, maybe an EGOT is in his future?

    4. Nathan Lane

    Nathan Lane

    Nathan Lane is one of the greatest stage actors of our time. He's been nominated for six Tonys, and has won three, for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, and Angels in America. He's also been nominated for two Golden Globes and six Emmys. Honestly, he could've earned nominations for his role in the movie The Birdcage, and even his voice acting as Timon in The Lion King. He's set to co-star in Ari Aster's (Hereditary) next film Disappointment Blvd along with Joaquin Phoenix, Patti LuPone, and Amy Ryan.

    5. Wilson Cruz

    wilson cruz

    Ever since he burst onto the scene as gay teen Rickie Vasquez on My So-Called Life, Cruz has been one of the best actors in Hollywood. He hasn't had many chances to shine on the big screen, but we'd love to see him get some big movie roles in the next few years.

    6. Anthony Rapp

    Anthony Rapp

    Cruz's Star Trek: Discovery and Out Magazine cover co-star Anthony Rapp has also been one of our favorite actors since the 90s. After originating the role of Mark Cohen in Rent, and reprising the role in the film version, he's killed every role he's had. We want to see what he can do with more big screen roles.

    7. Robin De Jesús

    robin de jesus

    De Jesus was one of this year's big Oscar snubs. As Michael in tick, tick... BOOM!, De Jesus soared and bared his entire heart. He's been nominated for three Tonys, for In the Heights, La Cage aux Folles, and The Boys in The Band, so an Oscar is well within reach. He just needs some more roles like the one he had in tick, tick... BOOM!.

    8. Lee Pace

    Lee Pace

    Ever since he played trans woman Calpernia Addams in Soldier's Girl, Lee Pace has always demanded attention for his sensitive and deep performances. He won a Gotham Award for that role, and was nominated for a Golden Globe, Satellite Award, and Independent Spirit Award. He was later nominated for another Golden Globe, as well as an Emmy for playing Ned the baker in Pushing Daisies, and then another Satellite Award for his role in Halt and Catch Fire.

    9. BD Wong

    BD Wong

    BD Wong made history when he became the only actor in Broadway history to win a Tony, a Drama Desk, an Outer Critics Circle Award, Clarence Derwent Award, and Theatre World Award for the same role when he won for playing Song Liling in M. Butterfly. More recently, he's earned Critic's Choice and Emmy nominations for playing Whiterose in Mr. Robot. He definitely deserves an Oscar-worthy film role.

    10. Jonathan Groff

    Jonathan Groff

    Groff got his first Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role when he was just 22 for Spring Awakening. He was nominated for his second Tony for playing King George in Hamilton, a role that also got him his first Emmy nomination, as well as a Grammy. With Mindhunter, he should have at least two more Emmy nominations, but that's beside the point. Now it's time for him to go for the Oscar.

    11. Victor Garber

    11. Victor Garber

    Victor Garber is the whole package and has been for decades. He's received four Tony Award nominations, six Emmy nominations, and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. Some of his best film roles include Godspell, Titanic and Argo, but we want to see him lead an Oscar-worthy film. It's about time.

    Latest Stories

    Gleeworst
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    15 of 'Glee's Worst & Wildest Musical Sins

    17h
    Santana Lopez, Carol Aird, Taissa Turner, Shane McCutcheon
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    15 of Our Favorite—But Problematic—Fictional Queer Women Characters

    23h
    Serena ChaCha; Milk; Loosey LaDuca
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    10 'Drag Race' Queens Who Got a 'Delusional' Edit On the Show

    March 22 2023 3:42 PM
    Monet X Change; Trixie Mattel; Jinkx Monsoon
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    Every Drag Artist Performing At the 'Drag Isn't Dangerous' Telethon

    March 21 2023 2:42 PM
    For a Perfect WeHo Day (and Outfit), Ask 'The Real Friends of WeHo'
    Out Exclusives
    Badge
    gallery

    For a Perfect WeHo Day (and Outfit), Ask 'The Real Friends of WeHo'

    March 21 2023 10:44 AM
    'Glee's 20 All-Time Best Performances, Ranked
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    'Glee's 20 All-Time Best Performances, Ranked

    March 20 2023 2:39 PM
    Maluma
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    Maluma Shares Nude Pics & Proves He's Still a 'Pretty Boy Dirty Boy'

    March 20 2023 2:31 PM
    'Drag Race's Salina EsTitties Has 6 Explicit Words for Ross Mathews
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    'Drag Race's Salina EsTitties Has 6 Explicit Words for Ross Mathews

    March 19 2023 2:16 PM
    Taylor Swift
    Music
    Badge
    gallery

    All the Unexpected Songs We'd Love to See at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

    March 17 2023 12:11 PM
    Ewan McGregor in 'Halston'; Natasha Lyonne in 'Orange Is the New Black'; Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Brokeback Mountain'
    Film
    Badge
    gallery

    10 Straight Actors Whose Gay Roles We Actually Loved

    March 17 2023 1:50 AM
    Miami Dolls
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    Meet the Cast of 'Miami Dolls,' OUTtv & Daddy TV's Newest Reality Show

    March 16 2023 1:18 PM
    Theo James; Jonathan Sadowski; Jesse Williams
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    20 Male Celebs Who Did Full Frontal Scenes

    March 15 2023 4:29 PM
    Law Roach: A Short Timeline of a Legendary and Historic Career
    Fashion
    Badge
    gallery

    Law Roach: A Short Timeline of a Legendary and Historic Career

    March 15 2023 1:48 PM
    Rupauls-drag-race-queens-with-onlyfans-accounts-milk-sasha-belle-v2_0
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    All the U.S. 'Drag Race' Queens on OnlyFans (& What They're Showing)

    March 15 2023 11:30 AM
    Diplo
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    25 Sexy Pics of Diplo That Will Make You Want to 'Lean On' Him

    March 14 2023 3:09 PM
    13 Straight Actors Who Won Awards for Playing Queer Roles
    Film
    Badge
    gallery

    ​13 Straight Actors Who Won Awards for Playing Queer Roles

    March 14 2023 11:22 AM
    DC Pride 2023
    books
    Badge
    gallery

    DC Pride 2023 Has All Your Favorite Queer Superheroes In One Place

    March 13 2023 12:00 PM
    Everything Everywhere All At Once
    Film
    Badge
    gallery

    'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Wins 2023 Oscar for Best Picture

    March 12 2023 11:37 PM
    Lady Gaga, Harvey Guillen, Cara Delevingne
    Film
    Badge
    gallery

    LGBTQ+ Celebs Who Walked the 2023 Oscars Red Carpet

    March 12 2023 8:28 PM
    Gabriel LaBelle, Harvey Guillen, Harry Shum Jr.
    Film
    Badge
    gallery

    Men Who Didn't Wear a Boring Black Tux to the 2023 Oscars

    March 12 2023 8:17 PM