'Coming out as a gay actor ruined my career in Hollywood,' says actor Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett has said coming out as a gay man has harmed his career in the film business
Actor Rupert Everett is urging gay stars not to 'come out' and to keep their sexuality a secret as it could end their film career.
The 50-year-old My Best Friend's Wedding star came out as gay 20 years ago and admitted that since then, he has been given supporting roles and not lead parts.
Everett is now suggesting that aspiring actors stay in the closet as it could harm their career.
He said: 'It's not that advisable to be honest. It's not very easy. And, honestly, I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out...
'The fact is that you could not be, and still cannot be, a 25-year-old homosexual trying to make it in the British film business or the American film business or even the Italian film business.
'It just doesn't work and you're going to hit a brick wall at some point. You're going to manage to make it roll for a certain amount of time, but at the first sign of failure, they'll cut you right off.
'And I'm sick of saying: "Yes, it's probably my own fault." Because I've always tried to make it work and when it stops working somewhere, I try to make it work somewhere else.
'But the fact of the matter is, and I don't care who disagrees, it doesn't work if you're gay.'
However, Everett added that he does believe he is happier than those other major stars who are keeping their sexuality a secret.
He said: 'I think, all in all, I'm probably much happier than they are. I may not be as rich or successful, but at least I'm vaguely free to be myself.'
Supporting roles only: Rupert starred alongside Julia Roberts in the 1997 hit My Best Friend's wedding
But despite Everett's insistence that he is being overlooked for lead parts, his supporting roles have been quite prominent ones.
In 2007, he landed a cross-dressing role in the first St Trinian's movie as the school's headmistress Miss Camilla Fritton, and a second starring part as Miss Fritton's dodgy art dealer brother Carnaby, both main characters in the film.
He was then cast to play Miss Fritton in the sequel, St Trinian's 2: The Legend Of Fritton's Gold, due for release on December 18.
He also had the lead male role in The Next Best Thing, which starred Madonna as a yoga teacher who has a baby with her gay best friend, played by Everett, who was praised for the part, despite the film being a total flop.
And he lent his voice to the part of Prince Charming in the second and third Shrek films, which have become international box-office hits.
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