Cumming vs. Everett, Chamberlain

Alan Cumming says Rupert Everett and Richard Chamberlain are "irresponsible" for suggesting that actors hoping to one day be leading men should stay in the closet, saying they should "think about a little gay boy in Wisconsin."

The star of The Good Wife was referring to comments by the actors suggesting Hollywood isn't ready for a gay leading man. Chamberlain told The Advocate he "wouldn't advise a gay leading man-type actor to come out," while Everett told the BBC he "never got a job" in Hollywood after coming out.

"I think it's so mean-spirited," Cumming told London's Guardian. "If you're living a lie, that's not healthy, and I think it is really irresponsible of [Chamberlain] and Rupert to say these things."

When asked if he thought they made a point, Cumming responded, "But it's not about your work. It's about how you exist as a person in the world, and the idea that your work is more important than you as a person is a horrible, horrible message. I always think about a little gay boy in Wisconsin or a little lesbian in Arkansas seeing someone like me, and if I cannot be open in my life, how on earth can they? Anyway, it's an academic question: How can you know [that coming out affects your career]? Some people get less work than others and it has nothing to do with sexuality."

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