The controversial issue of straight actors playing gay characters has been a prevailing discussion point in Hollywood. Recently, a statement from Eric McCormack, the actor from ‘Will & Grace,’ has stirred up the simmering debate.
Key Takeaways:
– Will & Grace actor, Eric McCormack, supports non-queer actors playing queer characters.
– McCormack’s views can bring joy to Scarlett Johansson’s fans dismayed by her stepping back from ‘Rug and Tug’.
– McCormack believes acting is about pretending and doesn’t strictly need real-world mirroring.
– He warns that disqualifying straight actors from playing gay characters could hurt the industry.
McCormack’s Perspective on Queer Character Portrayal
Famously known for his role as a gay lawyer in ‘Will & Grace,’ Eric McCormack shed new light on the controversial topic. His views could offer some comfort to Scarlett Johansson’s fans, who have borne the brunt of a similar debate in the past.
Eric McCormack made these remarks in an interview with Good Morning Britain, reported by Deadline. He expressed that he couldn’t entirely grasp the argument about only queer actors playing queer characters. Enshrining the essence of acting, McCormack indicated that the profession primarily revolves around the art of pretense and convincing the audience of the crafted narrative.
McCormack asserted, “That’s a tough one for me because I didn’t become an actor so that I could play an actor. There’s no part I’ve ever played where I wasn’t playing something I’m not. It’s part of the gig.” He further stressed that demanding real world accuracy in a make-believe world negates the very foundation of Hollywood.
On the Radar: Scarlett Johansson’s Withdrawal
Scarlett Johansson’s fans remember her grappling against a similar controversy when she was set to play a transgender man in ‘Rug and Tug’. Following a significant backlash, the actress decided to withdraw from the project, as mentioned in Variety.
The fans didn’t so much object to Johansson’s withdrawal but towards the circumstances compelling her decision. They were disconcerted at the actress facing criticism for simply accepting a role. This led to the recurring debate: should queer characters be exclusively played by queer actors?
McCormack, by placing play-pretend at the sediment of acting, has discreetly thrown his support behind Johansson. Vividly connecting the dots, he pointed out, “If gay actors weren’t allowed to play straight actors, Broadway would be over.” Besides nurturing the art of acting, he stressed this facet’s potential to impact popular and successful businesses in the entertainment sector.
Final Word
The dialogue on the portrayal of queer characters by non-queer actors is likely to continue. McCormack’s point on the fundamental ethos of acting – pretending – serves as food for thought in these ongoing discussions. As Hollywood navigates through this discourse, it must ensure that the battle between representation and creativity does not come at the expense of respecting individual diversity and actors’ artistry.
