David Hyde Pierce

[Spinderella]

Has come out of the closet ...

From IMDb:

Former Frasier star David Hyde Pierce has revealed he is gay, after keeping his sexuality secret for decades. The actor, who played Dr. Niles Crane in the long-running sitcom, has always refused to talk about his personal life, despite rumos about his sexual orientation. But the 48-year-old has allowed his long-term partner Brian Hargrove's name to be mentioned in an interview on CNN.com. In a paragraph carefully buried in the article, the journalist writes, "Pierce got to Los Angeles in the early 1990s when his partner, actor-writer-producer Brian Hargrove, wanted to write for television." Pierce's spokesperson has since confirmed Hargrove is the star's partner.

I don't know if I'm surprised or was just really naive.

[thecupcakekid]

I thought everyone knew he was gay? Pierce was sort of doing the Jodie Foster thing, out but not openly out.

[Shanmac]

I thought everyone knew too. But good for him for coming out.

[kostgard]

Isn't he the one who had that great "My life is an open book, but that doesn't mean I'm going to read it to you" quote?

I thought this was one of those "open secrets" in Hollywood.

[thetigs]

I love him. He's my favorite part of Frasier.

[dragonfly80]

He was the best thing about Frasier, but I always assumed he was out of the closet.

[berrybearie]

thecupcakekid said:

I thought everyone knew he was gay? Pierce was sort of doing the Jodie Foster thing, out but not openly out.

He's never publically discussed it until just now when his publicist commented on it. His philosophy was always, "My life's an open book. I just choose not to read it to people."

It seemed like he was never actively hiding his personal life, he just didn't discuss it, similar to how Christian Bale doesn't comment on his personal life in a few interviews I've read.

He seems like a smart and nice guy, very professional and very talented. I once heard him interviewed about his involvement with Alzheimer's charities and he sounded very committed and compassionate.

[Wol]

I am going to Hell for thinking this, because he is a talented performer, but...

...I find the timing of this "admission" suspicious considering the Tonys are next week.

Boarding the bus to Hell now - it's a direct, making no stops...

[fflover]

Yeah, I heard rumors for years, so this doesn't come as a surprise.

A more surprising one would be John Mahoney. Is he gay as well? I hear rumors but nothing confirmed.

[zivvie]

He was outstanding in Spamalot.