10 Times TV Used the Gay Best Friend Trope
| 09/05/22
TV loves a gay best friend!
The Gay Best Friend is a trope as old as homosexuality itself. While straight people haven't always been supportive of our rights, there's nothing they want more than a sassy and stylish gay best friend to give them advice, read them when necessary, and never be afraid to speak the truth.
Because of this, the GBF has been a common trope both in movies and in TV, going back decades and continuing on until today. While the trope gets old fast, it has given big roles to some truly talented queer actors. Here's a look back at some of the sassiest GBFs in television history.
Marc St. James, 'Ugly Betty'
Michael Urie played this gossipy and scheming personal assistant to Wilhelmina Slater, and later editor/creative Director at MODE. The character was supposed to be fired by Wilhelmina early on, but he was so popular with viewers that he lasted the entire series.
Photo: ABC
Kurt Hummel, 'Glee'
Kurt, played by Chris Colfer, actually had a lot of character growth over the series, but still, for much of it, he was basically Rachel's gay best friend. A lot of the time, Kurt was following Rachel along, but as he got older, he started chasing some dreams of his own, becoming a more rounded out character.
Photo: Fox
Stanford Blatch, 'Sex and the City'
Sex and The City set the TV standard for this trope with Stanford Blatch, Carrie's GBF and one of the biggest side characters in the show. He's fashionable, witty, charming, and understands women, making him the perfect GBF.
Photo: HBO
Anthony Marentino, 'Sex and the City'
Stanford Blatch met his match in Charlotte's GBF Anthony, a Sicilian-American event planner who isn't afraid to give blunt and sometimes racy advice. Played by out actor Mario Cantone, he was always ready with a quip, and eventually married Stanford Blatch, making the GBF power couple of our dreams.
Photo: HBO
Enrique "Rickie" Vasquez, 'My So-Called Life'
While Rickie Vasquez can fit into this trope, he does ring differently than your average GBF, and that's because of the authentic and terrific performance by Wilson Cruz. Cruz became the first out gay actor to play a lead gay character on American TV when he played Vasquez, forever changing gay Hollywood history.
Photo: ABC
Will Truman, 'Will & Grace'
One of the most classic examples of this trope, the entire premise of Will & Grace was exploring the Gay Best Friend and his relationship with his straight bestie. And while the trope was already old and used up at this time, the show did help a whole segment of America become more comfortable with gay people, even if Will was played by a straight actor.
Photo: NBC
Lafayette Reynolds, 'True Blood'
Nelsan Ellis played this iconic True Blood character who was a no-nonsense cook and drug (and vampire blood) dealer. Lafayette served as the GBF for whoever needed him, whether it was Tara or Sookie, and always stood up for himself.
Photo: HBO
Titus Andromedon, 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'
Another character who was able to flip the trope on its head sometimes, Tituss Burgess' Titus Andromedon was the perfect GBF for Kimmy Schmidt as she learned about the outside world after she got out of the bunker. Thanks to her sassy and wise GBF, she's ready to face the modern world.
Photo: Netflix
Elijah Krantz, 'Girls'
Andrew Rannells brought this GBF to life, and actually made him into one of the more likable characters on Girls. Whether he was with one of his numerous boyfriends or dropping quippy one-liners, Hannah's sometimes-roommate was a GBF to remember.
Photo: HBO
Julien, 'Emily in Paris'
The most recent entry on our list, Julien is keeping the GBF trope alive and well today! He is initially standoffish with Emily, calling her La Plouc (the hick), but after she fires a jab back at him, he decides he likes her and soon becomes her main source for office gossip.
Photo: Netflix
