Rupert Everett On Broadway, Falling Out With Madonna & Being Gay In Hollywood

Access Hollywood - February 19, 2009 1:24 PM PST
Story photo: Rupert Everett On Broadway, Falling Out With Madonna & Being Gay In HollywoodRupert Everett in The New York Times Magazine<br />Courtesy Of The New York Times MagazineAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Rupert Everett is preparing to make his debut on Broadway in a revival of Nol Coward's "Blithe Spirit," co-starring Angela Lansbury on March 15, a role is he proud to have - especially considering how, according to Rupert, Hollywood turned its back on him after he went public about being gay.

The New York Times Magazine caught up with the actor as he searched Manhattan for the perfect six-month rental to live in during his stint on the Great White Way.

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"'Blithe Spirit' came to me right out of the blue,'' he said of his new theatrical endeavor. "I'm very lucky to be working... to have the opportunity."

Rupert has had a rollercoaster of a career, filled with highs, lows, twists, turns and sudden jolting stops.

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He has modeled for a slew of designers including, Versace, Valentino and Yves St. Laurent, and was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2000. He has voiced characters in two "Shrek" film, even though he has only headlined one true Hollywood hit - 1997's "My Best Friend's Wedding" - in which he played Julia Robert's gay best friend.

It was a role which, coupled with his openness about his sexuality, pigeonholed him into only playing gay characters and - according to the actor - killed his future as a leading Hollywood man.

"I wanted to be a movie star," he told the mag. "I had a difficult set of circumstances to deal with, particularly for a movie career."

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When pressed, Rupert responds bluntly, "Being gay, really. It just doesn't work."

After he went public with his sexuality, Rupert alleges he was turned down for the lead role opposite Sharon Stone in the "Basic Instinct" sequel... due to his sexuality. According to the actor, an MGM executive told his agent that an openly gay actor would be viewed as a "pervert" in the eyes of American audiences.

Something the actor adamantly disagrees with, saying, "As actors we don't play gay, straight... we play human beings."

Another high -- and then low point -- for Rupert was his friendship and subsequent falling out with Madonna during the filming of 2000's "The Next Best Thing."

The 49-year-old actor said he made a lot of bad decisions and "burned bridges" while making the movie with Madge.

In describing his falling out with Madonna , he writes in his autobiography, "Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins," "When she looked away, it was like sunbathing on a cold day and suddenly a cloud comes."

According to Rupert, the two have since mended their relationship.

Looking back over his career, Rupert feels that the highs and lows from his time in and out of the spotlight have helped him become a better actor.

"You should be able to putter off and have a breakdown or be a heroin addiction, whatever it is, your particular problem of choice," he adds "That's what makes you an interesting actor, anyway. We're more interesting if we are dysfunctional."

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comments 1-10 of 21  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • bum-bum
    i dont understand why people are so lame? are you nuts? huh.. FREAK? no he was like so talented unlike you... look at your eyes your like a vampire trying to suck .. go and suck you freakin self... hahahhaha.. Jordan? you wish.. people dont like you nor love you because you know what ... your such a damn man trying to own popularity? how dare said those words!!!! i will your time is near... b
    report abuseposted July 23, 2009 12:38 PM PDT
  • bum-bum
    you look at your self RUPERT EVERETT? .. your so damn freakin %@!*#!.. huh better deaD? i hope its you whose dead? are tyring to make noise? for what for a career? heck your so bastard and gosh i dont blame you for being such an idiot monkey!.. such a pervert and you what? you like deserve to be in hell.. i wish your the one whose dead and not him...
    report abuseposted July 23, 2009 12:38 PM PDT
  • Matthyew Jayson Frit …
    Rupert,COOL!
    report abuseposted March 8, 2009 9:03 AM PDT
  • felicia
    He looks like George Michael on this picture.
    report abuseposted February 22, 2009 3:35 PM PST
  • comment
    It's also age-ism after 40. So, a double-whammy.
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 7:41 PM PST
  • comment
    Talented enough. Doesn't seem to be handling things correctly, needs to readjust and then see what happens. Sometimes in life we have to change our goals. Not that there's anything wrong widdat. ;-)
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 7:40 PM PST
  • Veronica M.
    Liza Z. do us all a favor and get back to your trialer park life and crystal meth habbit. You sound so ignorant that I can't be mad with you, I can only pray for you. He (or his agent) made BAD CAREER CHOICES! He wanted to be in Basic Instinct 2?! He made sh*tty films. He wanted to be a movie star, not a talented actor BIG DIFFERENCE there people.
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 3:24 PM PST
  • Liza Z
    Rupert--you always seemed gay. You're just not believable as a romantic lead. The issue isn't that you ARE gay, just that no one can suspend believe due to your effeminate voice, mannerisms, etc. I mean, look at your photo here. Please! GAY, gay gay. As J. Seinfeld would say..."Not that there's anything wrong with that." You're just too
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 2:48 PM PST
  • cayla_152
    he's gay?????
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 2:39 PM PST
  • Linda W
    I don't think that being gay in Hollywood has anything to do with not getting the roles he wants...First of all I did like some of his films, but he has a very bad attitude...He want's to blame all of his problems on coming out in public as a gay man. Oh Please! Don't let sexuality be a reason for failure...
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 2:31 PM PST
comments 1-10 of 21  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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