Onscreen he’s been married to Greg Louganis and tackled by Ian Roberts. Off-screen Bruce L Hart has plenty to say about the Hollywood casting couch. I

Marc Andrews

DNA: You’re an openly gay actor working in Hollywood today. Has this been a struggle?

Bruce: That’s right – out, open and proud! Of course. Being part of a minority group is always a struggle. Factor in being a gay performer on TV and movies and it amplifies it. Yes, it’s been a struggle, but nothing you want comes easily.

Was there ever a time when you thought about hiding the fact you are gay?

Honestly, never. When I was in college majoring in – what else? – theatre I had a professor who cautioned me that I should not be “so out” because I would never get work in mainstream projects.

Some advice you follow and some you ignore. Years later she sent me a note telling me how proud she was of my success having apparently forgotten that long-ago conversation.

Do you think that being openly gay has ever lost you a major role?

I’m sure there have been moments when being an out actor has been a barrier to securing certain roles, especially when auditioning for mainstream roles, like non-gay characters. But nobody is going to tell you to your face that they won’t cast you in a heterosexual role because they know you’re gay. You just have to be persistent and audition well. Being gay doesn’t always get you gay roles either!