Nathan Lane Praises Late Co-Star Who Protected Him When Oprah Asked If He Was Gay

Recently, Nathan Lane praised his slow co-star Robin Williams for defending him when Oprah Winfrey came out on her talk display and asked the artist if he was gay.

When he and Williams were promoting their film” The Birdcage” in 1996, the 67-year-old said in an interview on the” Today” show on Sunday that” he wasn’t” prepared at all” to talk about his sexuality.

And I most definitely wasn’t prepared to go from table to table and tell them everything I was queer, Lane said.

Tony-winning actor Nathan Lane sat down with @ WillieGeist to talk about” Pictures from Home ,” his 25th Broadway play, one of the more annoying things an audience member can do during a performance, and other topics. exposure. twitter.com / oowOh6qA2G

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Because their film focused on the lives of two homosexual men and their son, the” Just Murders in the Building” singer said he went to Williams and expressed his concern that doubts about his gender may come up before their interview.

Lane informed the host that Williams had said,” Oh, it’s fine, don’t worry about— we’re not required to talk about it.” We didn’t discuss it.

” I was terrified ,” Lane continued. I simply wasn’t prepared to act in that way. It’s wonderful that everyone is at ease now, but homophobia still exists, and many gay people are always hiding.

In the 1996 interview, Winfrey first questioned Lane about whether he was concerned about” being typecast” or whether people would inquire,” Are you or are you not?” Is he?

Then Oprah asked,” Is he, honey?” in a typical queer accent. I have no idea.

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Williams” sort of swoops in and diverts Oprah, goes off on a tangent and protects me because he was saint ,” the” Producers” star remarked after the actor’s question.

Williams interrupted, diverting Winfrey long enough to give Lane time to formulate his effect,” Girl, you changed really in the middle of that phrase.”

Lane then praised the role and assured Oprah that he wasn’t” afraid of being” typecast. He also claimed that the actor was primarily a character actor and had no” an image to uphold.”

Especially after Lane responded to her in the magazine, Winfrey persisted in pressing, asking if the sun” got in touch with his romantic hand.”

Lane clarified that he wasn’t prepared to share the information with the public but added that Oprah was not attempting to outsmart him on national television.

Entertainment Weekly noted that Winfrey came out as gay in 1997 when she appeared on the sitcom” Ellen” with actress / comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

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