Eric Dane says he has received support from the gay community for his role as Cal Jacobs in “Euphoria.”
Straight actors portraying LGBTQ characters has become a controversial topic, but Eric Dane, star of Euphoria, says he has received a great deal of support from the gay community for his role as Cal Jacobs.
He told The Hollywood Reporter, “I am acutely aware of the fact that I am a straight actor portraying a gay character.”
The gay community has been extremely supportive, he continued. In portraying this character, I believe I’ve given them a voice, and I hope that everything I do is genuine because I wouldn’t want to misrepresent something so significant.”
Eric stated that despite never having to conceal his s*e*xuality, he could still relate to Cal in many ways. He elaborated,
“Difficulties in my past encouraged me to live a life of secrecy. I accepted the invitation enthusiastically… While the particular circumstances may not be identical, the emotions are.”
Eric is almost certainly referring to his history of substance abuse (he entered rehab in 2011). In 2019, he told Glamour the following.
“I am familiar with the experience of leading a double life. To have secrets and to be required to conceal them from others. I have certainly struggled with alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental health, and I understand what it’s like to have to put on a front and have the external experience not match the internal experience. I felt that was my greatest strength in attempting to describe what the guy is experiencing.
The second season of Euphoria focused on Cal’s past, particularly his senior year of high school. When his girlfriend becomes pregnant, he is forced to suppress his feelings for his best male friend.
Eric Dane joins a long list of straight actors who have portrayed homos*e*xual characters by portraying Cal Jacobs. In recent years, the issue has become increasingly controversial.
Many LGBTQ actors believe that by taking on queer roles, straight actors may be stealing jobs from gay actors, especially those who are deemed “too effeminate” and have limited options.
In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Billy Porter elucidated this position particularly well. He said,
“Being black, gay, and out was associated with high unemployment. It consists of two layers: being a person of color in this industry and a queen. Nobody can see you in any other light. If “flamboyant” wasn’t in the character description, no one would ever see me for anything.”
Other gay actors have expressed comparable sentiments. Recently, Billy Eichner stated to Variety:
“Historically, many of the best LGBTQ roles in Hollywood have been played by straight actors, and they have won awards for it. And they use this recognition to demonstrate their versatility.”
In addition, many LGBTQ actors have disclosed that coming out ruined their careers and prevented them from being cast in projects.
Teen Wolf actor Colton Haynes disclosed last year that, since coming out in 2016, “work has largely ceased.”
Prior to his coming out as gay, he was able to play stereotypically heteros*e*xual roles such as Jackson Whittemore in Teen Wolf. However, after he came out, he was no longer even asked to audition. He wrote in an essay for Vulture,
Now, I only receive auditions for gay roles, which remain scarce.
He added,
“Is that because I’m not particularly talented? Maybe. However, that has never prevented me from booking roles.”
Several straight actors have admitted they regret taking on queer — particularly transgender — roles and have issued public apologies.
Eric Dane clearly has no regrets about playing Cal Jacobs. But in the future, will he? Time alone will tell.
Currently, you can stream Euphoria on HBO Max. The third season of Euphoria is rumored to premiere in 2024.
