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.

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Comments

(48)

Sunday 21 November

By Peggy

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If it's no one business why did he bring it up. Why give a interview and put it on the web? It's because he want to try to be special!!!!!! I don't understand what he are trying to prove!!!! Shouldn't have to prove anything, just live your life.

Monday 15 November

By Mike

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He was terrific as Niles.

By Frank

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If you haven't seen La Bete see it...it's great. I'm seeing it for the 2nd time.

By OLDERBLUE

Now wait a minute... When someone is allowed to have their own thought s about a particular lifestyle.. Who is brazen ennough to suggest that an opposing view is unamerican and unkind..?? Huh..?? 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. !!!

By carol

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It would be even better if you kept it to yourself. That would be the noble thing to do.

By Carter

I don't care what that deviant has to say . He is a pervert . If two dudes can marry . What's next ? A dude marrying a sheep .

By vmbs

Really Carter? You had to make that illogical leap? That makes as much sense as saying if a woman can marry a man, what's next...a woman marrying an homophobic bigot...oh, wait...my bad...I stand corrected.

Tuesday 23 November

By David in Houston

Right, Carter. Because a sheep is exactly the same thing as a consenting adult. Please promise us all that you'll never breed. The world will be ever so grateful.

Monday 22 November

By sherie

You are an idiot! Try going to school and getting an education

By Nico Toscani

Another news flash from "The Center For Obvious Research".

By LOL

EXCELLENT !

By ken

Good thing for him his grandfather and father didn't marry men themselves, otherwise he would not be here.

Tuesday 16 November

By Keith

It's important to this guy to "never pretend and never hide". I feel the same way so I will say what I think as well. This is really sad. What has happened to our country when this type of behavior is accepted as OK? God, please spare my children and grandchildren from thinking that this is right because it is not!

By Sue Donimm

Oh God indeed. Do you really think people are indocrinated to be gay? No way, this is a persuasion prior to birth and thus is of God and his creation whether we, with our tiny minds, understand it or not. Stop the hating that caused Tyler Clemente to toss himself off of a bridge. That is what offends God, not people loving each other.

By GerrybombS

sorry Keith-didn't mean to make you sick!
ha

By Sharmayne

Get back in the "closet" or wherever youve been for the last 15 years since Frazier. You were good even great on Frasier. Why are you talking now? everyone knew back then what you were all about. Get lost. so we can remember the good old days

By Terry

James. . . you were doing fine until you got to the "screwed up" part.

By Bravens76

So many queers nowadays. ...must be in the water.

By citygirlretired

this is boring. aol is going over the top with boring topics these days.

By Debbie Z.

I think he was great on Frasier. Who cares if he's gay? That's his business. I'm just glad to know that he is happy because watching him on Frasier has sure made me laugh a lot over the years! I love the show so much that I have my DVR set up to record the reruns every night. There's 2 channels running them so I get about 5 new ones a day. The one of him getting ready in Frasier's apartment when he sets fire to it is probably my favorite one. He is hilarious! And I love Eddie the dog (may he ("Moose") RIP.

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