David Hyde Pierce Talks Coming Out & Marriage

By Jane Levere Posted Nov 15th 2010 03:17PM

David Hyde Pierce, best known as Dr. Niles Crane on 'Frasier' and current star of the revival of 'La Bete' on Broadway, recently sat down with Jordan Roth, president of Jujamcyn Theaters, at the 92nd Street Y in New York City to discuss his career, coming out of the closet, gay marriage and why there's nothing crueler than syndicated television.

In the most intimate portion of the discussion, Pierce opened up about being gay and why he finally decided to make his relationship with longtime partner Brian Hargrove public in 2007.

"It was very important to me never to pretend, never to hide," Pierce said. "In 1985, my partner Brian and I were new in the business and were not comfortable letting people know that we were gay. We had separate apartments. We went about our business."

"We met this lovely married couple down in the grocery store below the apartment building where we all stayed. A month later, we finally had the courage to come out and let them know that in fact we were a couple. They said, 'We knew when we saw you shopping.'"

Pierce admits he felt bullied into coming out and resents those who he believes were attempting to force his hand. "It wasn't so much about being uncomfortable being gay, it was about being uncomfortable ... Like the bully on the playground was pushing your face in the dirt saying, 'Say it, say it, say it.'" he recalls.

He and Hargrove married in California on October 24, 2008, before Proposition 8 reversed the California Supreme Court's decision to allow same-sex marriage in the state.

"I felt transformed ... We'd been together 26 years when we were legally allowed to get married in California. We went and did it, and we both agree it had a power, an importance to us in our lives that we can't really put into words, but that is totally palpable and intrinsic to who we are," Pierce said.

You've said your father did a lot of community theater as a young man, but that his father convinced him join his insurance business. Your grandfather was also an amateur actor. Did your father try to get you into insurance?
I remember calling and they [his parents] were so concerned I was going to be a music major, they thought there's no life there, he'll never make any money ... Ultimately, he and my mom both took great pleasure in my having made this choice, but there was no pressure either way.

Did you feel you were fulfilling the destiny of the family tree?
A friend of my mom and dad's came to see 'Curtains' and she came backstage and said, "Oh, my God, you're your father." She had seen him on stage. Whatever that is had been passed on like some sort of virus.

What was a favorite episode of 'Frasier' and why?
It's tough because there were so many that I loved, and I loved them all for different reasons. Frasier and Niles try to run a restaurant together. Niles trying to get ready for a date and setting fire to Frasier's apartment. Niles and Daphne getting together the first time he declared his love for her ... I don't have a favorite.

What similarities do you and Niles share?
I look at the reruns, and I realize we are no longer the same age. There's nothing crueler than syndicated television. Like most characters, he's a heightened version of me. A lot of the circumstantial stuff. I didn't know that much about wine -- I've since learned a lot. I wasn't a big opera person, but I've since learned a lot from playing the part ... Love of family, I think that was very important in those boys, as a grounding for all the wackiness. They really did care about each other and about their family, and I think that's something I share.

Follow Us on Twitter Friend Us on Facebook

Tags: David Hyde Pierce

Comments

(48)

Monday 15 November

By howlar2

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

He came out? I thought he was ALWAYS out. I KNEW my gaydar wasn't broken.

By fghtyu67u

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

[BlackwhiteCupid is] widely considered to be the greatest s''ingles club ever by millions of 's'ingles, about half of which have actually found ma'tches from it.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzfgggt

By James

I too, always knew he was gay, but never heard him admit to it. It's nice to see him out of the closet. Gays shouldn't have to suffer just because they're screwed up.

By just saying

Vote down Vote up Report this

Say it isn't so!

By jhgkjhfhgfhjgfdh

[w w w. d e a r s a l e s . c o m ]

Here have what you need!

It's very good!

Sunday 21 November

By nanmgjhkhvvc

If I am Gay and proud and happy about that.. then I should have the right to express that and accept all of that persuasion into my surroundings... and if I am not Gay, then I will have the right to not accept that persuasion into my own surroundings and express myself in the matter as well.It seems that there shouldn't be anything wrong with that. !!!I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsingl es.c 'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

Monday 22 November

By iphonerulez

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

How disgusting. Highway to hell.

By gladiator

This is news? who is he? so what?

By Susan

"Who is he?" What are you, 12?

By GerrybombS

this is about as surprising as learning that Rosie O'Donnell was gay

By keith

You had to bring up rosie, didn't you. Now I can't eat thinking about that fat pig. Thanks for spoiling my supper.

By JW Healy

David Hyde Pierce is an extraordinary actor, whether on stage or on screen. Just watch any episode of FRASIER and you'll see his craft at work. Good luck to him as he continues his successful career and more power to him on the success of his marriage.

Tuesday 16 November

By flicka

I always thought he was gay, but who cares; I also thought - and still do - that he's a fantastic actor. I'm happy he's happy.

By ellen

You are so right. I thoroughly enjoy Frasier because of the chemistry between the actors. Niles was a really endearing character -- a perfect foil to his brother. We all knew that David was gay, but his role as a heterosexual male in various relationships was always characterized by sincerity, sweetness, devotion, and kindness. A person's sexual orientation is his/her private business. I am more concerned about how our fellow men treat each other. I just wish this culture could value the qualities that Niles exhibited on Frasier.

By twann9852

How about giving the other sexual perversions equal time?

By nipper

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Go ajead,you have 2 minutes!

By Bush the Liberator

Yes David, you did such a good job of hiding it.

By carole del monte

All we have to know is that David Hyde Pierce is an excellent actor. His sexual orientation is nobody's business. There is too much fear (of some people's doubts about their own sexuality?) & hatred in the world. I suggest to those people to get a life.

By acemakr9

If it's nobody's business why is it on the internet, He wanted it to be our business, now shut your cakehole!!!

Page 1 of 3