Top 10 Memorable Gay Male Characters in Movies

Kicking off our list is a character from a romantic comedy-drama film that you likely haven’t heard of. Pike is the owner of Big Eden’s general store, and he eventually falls for the main character. Henry, who is said main character, has just returned to his hometown to see his sick grandfather and is dealing with some unresolved romantic feelings of his own. Pike keeps his feelings to himself for most of the movie, as he is very shy, but he helps to support Henry by secretly cooking him meals, and going out of his way to provide the painter with his preferred art supplies. Sometimes, the quietest characters speak the most loudly to the audience.

Based on the 4-hour long Harvey Fierstein play, “Torch Song Trilogy” also stars the playwright playing the award-winning lead character in the comedy-drama he wrote himself. Arnold Beckoff is a gay female impersonator – or drag queen, if you will – living in New York City in the 1970s. After becoming involved with and then being dumped by a bisexual schoolteacher name Ed, Arnold falls in love with a male model named Alan with whom he hopes to start a family. But tragedy strikes, and complications with family materialize, and the way in which Arnold deals with all these is what compels us to watch him throughout the film’s 2-hour run-time.

By 2006, Steve Carell was mostly known for his comedic roles. And though “Little Miss Sunshine” is a black comedy-drama, Frank Ginsberg definitely allowed him to show off some of his more serious side. Frank may be an academic who once specialized in all things Proust, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel things very passionately. In fact, it just might be the opposite; Frank was so heartbroken by his boyfriend leaving him for an academic rival that he attempted suicide. Now living with his sister’s family, Frank’s life obviously hasn’t been easy; but the bonds he builds with his loved ones show how strong he ultimately is.

Colin Firth plays this tragic figure in a film that portrays one day in a college professor’s life after the sudden death of his partner. His Oscar-nominated performance sees George struggling to come to terms with his newfound loneliness, and finding solace in his friends and students. His journey transcends sexuality, as it’s truly a story about finding one’s purpose while grieving. The story of loss is universal, and this introspective character really brings a unique beauty to the film that brings it to an entirely new level.

Before there was “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” there was this Australian dramedy following two drag queens and a transgender woman as they travel across the Australian Outback in a tour bus. The main character, Tick, is both excited and nervous to see his estranged wife and son at the hotel that they are set to perform at. Throughout their journey across the desert, Tick learns much about himself and his friends as they meet many strangers along the way - some friendly, some dangerously homophobic. His story sends a meaningful message about what it really means to be yourself, as well as a father, husband and friend. Mamma Mia!

Few are aware that Steve Buscemi’s first major film role was a gay man with AIDS who lives with his ex-boyfriend and his new partner. In one of the first Hollywood films to address the AIDS epidemic, he plays the jittery Nick, while Robert, the new lover of his his ex-boyfriend Michael, is about to leave for two years on a work assignment. “Parting Glances” follows a twenty-four hour period of Nick’s life, as he struggles with his feelings for Michael and his disease. As the character feels like he’s running out of time, this makes it easier for the audience to sympathize and understand his trials.

Ezra Miller’s Patrick serves as one of protagonist Charlie’s mentors throughout his freshman year of high school. Highly charismatic, but unmotivated in school, he’s popular among his fellow students and unashamed of his sexuality. Though he’s a class clown, his story takes a turn for the dramatic when his secret relationship with Brad, a football player, takes a turn for the worse. While Brad is secretive about his sexuality, Patrick foregoes the stereotypical tortured gay teen storyline and is a refreshing change of pace for a young male gay character. He also proves to be Charlie and Sam’s most loyal friend.

In this classic Robin Williams performance, he plays against type as the straight man... we’re talking about the stock character of comedies here, not the character’s sexuality, so no pun intended. Partnered with dramatic drag queen Albert, he is placed ina difficult situation when his son intends to marry the daughter of a conservative senator. He’s forced to pretend that his partner is his brother, which proves to be a difficult task. Beset by the two men in his family, Armand takes strides to balance being a good father with being a good partner, even when the two conflict. Lucky for us, because this struggle provides us with plenty of hilarious moments, as well as a wonderfully likeable lead. While Albert was also in consideration for this list, it’s hard to compete with one of Hollywood’s favorite funnymen nailing this performance.

In 2011, Christopher Plummer became the oldest actor ever to win an Oscar for this performance. Tired of being “theoreticallygay,” Hal comes out at age seventy-five, after the death of his wife, and begins a relationship with a man. The movie follows his son, Oliver, as he remembers the final months of his father’s life through flashbacks and begins a new relationship. Trying to make the most of the rest of his life, Hal’s positive attitude endears him to the audience, making his ultimate fate all the more emotional. He teaches Oliver a thing or two about love along the way, and is a funny, loving father that anybody would love to have.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
Simon Bishop
“As Good as It Gets” (1997)
Handsome Bob
“RocknRolla” (2008)
Scotty J.
“Boogie Nights” (1997)
George Downes
“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)
FBI Agent Paul Smecker
“The Boondock Saints” (1999)

Choosing between Ennis and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack Twist was a tough choice, as either could have taken our top spot. But the late Heath Ledger’s stunning performance in Ang Lee’s romantic drama ultimately won out. When Ennis and Jack are sent to the mountains of Wyoming to herd sheep, they begin a sexual relationship that grows emotional and complicated - and endures for years, even when they both marry women. His struggle with his sexuality and his fear of being attacked for it makes his story a tragic portrayal of the dark reactions society once had (and sometimes still have) towards LGBT individuals. Unforgettable and unflinching, Ennis is an icon of gay cinema.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favourite gay male character? For more interesting top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.