13 Old Hollywood Stars Who Were Secretly LGBTQ+, And Lived Very Different Lives Behind The Scenes
Дата публикации: 25-06-2026 01:41:02
For decades, their stories were shaped by silence, rumor, and studio control.View Entire Post ›
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13 Old Hollywood Stars Who Were Secretly LGBTQ+, And Lived Very Different Lives Behind The ScenesFor decades, their stories were shaped by silence, rumor, and studio control.
1.
Marlon Brando was one of the few classic Hollywood stars who openly discussed same-sex experiences later in his life, making him somewhat unique among actors of his generation. In a 1976 interview, Brando said, "Like a large number of men, I, too, have had homosexual experiences and I am not ashamed." Although he married three times and had numerous relationships with women, his own statements, as well as statements from friends, have led many historians to describe him as bisexual or sexually fluid.
2.
William Haines was one of MGM's biggest stars during the late Silent era and early 1930s — he was also gay. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Haines refused to hide his relationship with his partner, Jimmie Shields. According to numerous accounts in Hollywood, studio executives pressured him to end the relationship to protect his career. Haines chose Shields over MGM, effectively ending his acting career at its peak. He later became one of Hollywood's most successful interior designers, decorating the homes of stars including Joan Crawford and Gloria Swanson. In fact, Crawford, a close friend, once remarked that Haines and Shields were "the happiest married couple in Hollywood."
3.
Marlene Dietrich challenged gender expectations long before it became common. She famously wore tuxedos, played with masculine and feminine fashion, and had relationships with both men and women throughout her life. Many of her romances with women were known within entertainment circles, including rumored relationships with writers, actresses, and socialites. Dietrich's refusal to fit neatly into traditional expectations made her a groundbreaking figure, and into a LGBTQ+ icon
4.
For years, Rock Hudson was sold to audiences as the ultimate romantic leading man, appearing opposite actresses like Doris Day in hugely successful comedies. Privately, many people within Hollywood knew he was gay, and his agents and the studio carefully managed his public image, including an arranged marriage. His AIDS diagnosis became public shortly before his death in 1985 from the disease, fundamentally changing the public conversation about AIDS. It also more or less confirmed the longstanding rumors that he was gay, as that was the community most impacted by it at the time.
5.
Throughout the '30s and '40s, Tallulah Bankhead was one of the most outspoken and scandalous celebrities of her era. She drank heavily, partied openly, and largely ignored many of Hollywood's "rules." Bankhead openly acknowledged relationships with both men and women at a time when few public figures would even hint at such experiences. She reportedly said that she had affairs with many women and saw little reason to hide it.
6.
Before Clark Gable or Cary Grant became major stars, Mexican actor Ramon Novarro was one of MGM's biggest leading men. He starred in silent epics such as Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ and The Prisoner of Zenda, and was heavily promoted as the romantic "Latin Lover" following Rudolph Valentino's death. Within Hollywood circles, his sexuality was considered an open secret, though it could never be discussed publicly. Though he often struggled with his sexuality because he was a devout Catholic. His career declined as the studio system changed when MGM didn't renew his contract in the mid-'30s. Sadly, he was beaten to death by two male sex workers who thought he had money hidden in his home.
7.
Greta Garbo remains one of Old Hollywood's greatest mysteries. The actress never married, fiercely protected her private life, and often avoided discussing her relationships altogether. Letters published years after her death revealed close, sometimes romantic-sounding relationships with several women, including writer Mercedes de Acosta. Scholars and biographers continue to debate various aspects of Garbo's personal life, but many agree that her relationships with women played an important role in her life, and that she was likely bisexual or predominantly lesbian.
8.
Montgomery Clift was one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, earning Oscar nominations for A Place in the Sun and From Here to Eternity. After his death, friends and biographers stated that he was gay. Unlike many stars, Clift often seemed uncomfortable participating in Hollywood's publicity machine and rarely discussed his private life. He did have several relationships with men, including choreographer Jerome Robbins and actor Jack Larsen.
9.
Barbara Stanwyck was one of the most respected and successful actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age, earning acclaim for films like Double Indemnity, Stella Dallas, and Ball of Fire. Off-screen, however, she was famously private and rarely discussed her romantic life beyond her marriages. Over the years, several biographers and Hollywood historians have argued that Stanwyck was bisexual or possibly a lesbian, pointing to her close relationships with women and the longstanding rumors that circulated within the industry. Though Stanwyck never publicly addressed questions about her sexuality, as was often the case during Hollywood's studio era, stars had strong incentives to keep their private lives hidden.
10.
One of the most memorable performances in film history came with Anthony Perkins's portrayal of Norman Bates in Psycho, the role that made him an international star. Although he had already earned an Oscar nomination for Friendly Persuasion, his private life remained largely hidden during the height of his career. Biographers and friends later discussed his relationships with men during his younger years and throughout his life, including connections to several actors and dancers. Perkins later married photographer Berry Berenson and had two children. His son, Oz Perkins, later described his father's sexuality as something the family navigated privately, noting that the industry and society did not allow for openness at the time.
11.
Russian-born actress Alla Nazimova was one of silent-era Hollywood's most fascinating figures. She hosted lavish gatherings at her estate, the Garden of Allah, which became a gathering place for artists, writers, and actors. The phrase "sewing circle" reportedly originated from her social circle as a coded reference to lesbian and bisexual actresses. Nazimova had relationships with women throughout her life and has been hailed as "the founding mother of Sapphic Hollywood" by historians.
12.
Sal Mineo became a major star after his breakthrough role in Rebel Without a Cause, earning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination at just 17 years old and a second nomination before turning 25. He was one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces in the '50s and '60s, appearing in Exodus, Giant, and The Longest Day. While he was able to transition from teen idol to a more serious performer, he was quickly typecast. In 1972, he became one of the first major Hollywood actors to discuss his bisexuality publicly, at which point he was living and in a relationship with a man.
13.
And lastly, Cary Grant remains one of Old Hollywood's most debated figures. One of the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, he carefully cultivated an image of charm, sophistication, and romance on screen. During the '30s, however, Grant lived with fellow actor Randolph Scott for years, and the two men frequently appeared together in fan magazines, publicity photos, and interviews that highlighted their domestic life at "Bachelor Hall." They shared multiple homes, entertained friends together, and were often photographed cooking, relaxing, or vacationing side by side. Some biographers and former acquaintances later claimed the two men were romantically involved, with a few even describing them as deeply in love, while others have maintained that they were simply close friends and roommates. Neither actor ever publicly commented on the speculation.
Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2026.
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