Lily Tomlin understands why some actors choose to stay in the closet
Grace and Frankie star Lily Tomlin married her long-term partner Jane Wagner in 2013. (Getty)
Out actress Lily Tomlin has said she doesnāt hold gay actors to a āstrict expectationā to come out, and understands why some choose not to.
The Grace and Frankie star, who shot to fame as a comic in 1969 before later finding success with cult hit films like Nashville and 9 to 5, never had a grand ācoming outā.
However, she has quietly spoken about her sexuality for a number of years ā and married her long-term partner Jane Wagner on New Yearās Eve 2013.
Speaking to the Guardian, the actress explained of actors who stay in the closet: āI donāt hold anybody to some strict expectation because I donāt know what that personās circumstance is.
āThe one reason I didnāt come out more fully, really, is because I knew it would hurt my mother.
āShe was so southern, so Methodist, she believed so much in Jesus.
āMost of my relatives? Same thing. That generation would be horrified, 20, 30 years ago, if Iād announced it to them. So I never did.ā
She added that her younger brother Richard is also gay, and lives with his partner ā but their sexuality was never discussed.
The star also spoke about being offered the chance to come out on the cover of TIME Magazine in 1975, but turning it down because it would be ācareer suicideā.
She explained: āt would have been suicidal career wise at that point.
āAlso, itās sort of likeā¦ they didnāt want any specific gay person for the cover, they just wanted a gay person.ā
Matt Damon caused controversy over the summer when he suggested gay actors who come out are less successful ā but later insisted he was not advising them to stay in the closet.
