Television gets a
dose of gay doctors
By William
Keck, USA
TODAY, from the Web, November 7, 2006
When Neil Patrick Harris announced to
People magazine Friday that he is
"a very content gay man," he joined other TV docs who have come out of the
closet in real life.
USA TODAY notes the actors' declarations.
Neil Patrick
Harris
On-call role:
Harris played the lead on Doogie Howser,
M.D. from 1989-93. Dr. Doogie was a normal teenager at home,
stressing over puberty and girls, while balancing life as a medical whiz kid in
a residency program at Eastman
Medical
Center.
Actor's
announcement:
"It seems there is speculation and interest in my private life and
relationships. So, rather than ignore those who choose to publish their
opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or
misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living
my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful
people in the business I love."
T.R. Knight
On-call role:
Knight plays George O'Malley on Grey's
Anatomy (ABC, Thursdays, 9 p.m. ET/PT). Seattle
Grace Hospital's
compassionate medical intern O'Malley has been lovesick over colleague Meredith
Grey while pursuing a relationship with orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres.
Actor's
announcement:
"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to
quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep
my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most
interesting part of me," Knight said to
People Oct. 19.
Richard
Chamberlain
On-call role: Chamberlain
was the title character on Dr. Kildare,
which aired from 1961-66. The dreamy doc was a specialist in internal
medicine and at breaking women's hearts.
Actor's
announcement:
"I'm not afraid anymore. I'm not a romantic leading man anymore, so I
don't need to nurture that public image. ... When I grew up, being gay, being a
sissy or anything like that, was verboten. I disliked myself intensely and
feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it. ... I love my life just
the way it is. I'm proud of my relationship. I'm actually proud of
myself," the actor told Dateline NBC
in June 2003
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