Do you think that an actor should be judged by his sexual preference?

Orientation should not be important. If a person has talent, and can portray a character well, orientation is not a factor.

Isn't it interesting then a straight actor plays a gay character, they receive numerous awards, but when an openly gay actor auditions for roles, they are either type casted or not rewarded for an excellent performance?

I think it is simply reality.

Typecasting, which is the term used to cast an actor into a role that is reflective of his personality, is almost impossible to overcome. Remember when it was revealed that Rock Hudson was gay? It changed the way people looked at his films. Unfortunately, most people cannot separate the person from the role. Those actors/actresses who are able to keep their lives private generally do better at acting in multiple roles.

Just as a test, could you imagine Britney Spears acting as a university professor in a serious role? It would be completely unbelievable because we all know so much about her life and music. In the same way, the more the public knows about an actor or actress's life, the more difficult it is to play a role contrary to that information, no matter how good the acting is.

I could care less whether an actor is gay or not, but I do realize that it affects how many women will view an actor or star in general. A lot of women may not be able to accept a homosexual star in a straight romantic role. Take Rupert Everett for example. He has been out for some time and it's rare to see him play a romantic male lead. Several singers have been rumored to have been gay...Luther Vandross, for example. Before and after his death, there was speculation as to his sexual preference. Since most of his songs were ballads aimed at women, if he truly was gay, I can kind of understand why he wanted to keep that fact quiet. A lot of people can't see around a classification. It's sad, but it's how it is. That is why a lot of men who are most likely gay, have played many gay roles, will neither yay nor nay when asked directly if they are gay. Sean Hayes, for example, played flamboyant Jack on Will and Grace and other gay roles in film but will never answer questions regarding his sexual preference. I think it's sad that it's an issue because a person's acting skill should be the factor in roles they are chose for; it should not hinge on their sexuality. Hopefully, we will become more open-minded.

Absolutely not. It's sad when people can't accept each other for being anyone but themselves...

Take Sir Ian McKellen for example, he's a fine actor who's appeared in all The Lord Of The Ring franchise series as well as the X-Men trilogies & continues to enjoy an established career.

However, Hollywood is still anti-gay, as evident at this year's Oscars where they favored "Crash" over "Brokeback Mountain", some people just never change.

Nobody should be judged on how they performed professionally from their sexual preference, whether an actor or a garbage pick up worker. Some homosexuals are far better at their work than a multitude of "straight" people. This includes doctors, lawyers, scientists, and all those in important positions.

Actors are people too. No, we should not judge others by sexual preference. That is discrimination.

Just because an actor is in the "limelight" does not mean we have the right to offend him/her based on the type of lifestyle he's RUMORED to have. That's compeletely unethical.

I hope I'm correct in stating that all people want to be judged by in the workplace, is the quality of their work.

O.K. So obviously someone shouldn't be judged on their sexual preference but on their individual skills and character. But seriously do you not see the humour in some of their jokes? You can't take an isolated example like that and make it into such a tragedy. He's new into the movie scene, it's bound to happen. He needs the media to pay attention to him if he is going to do a sequal, so whether good media or bad, he likes it. Just ask him for yourself... (err...wait .. I think he's busy with that man over there)

By no means should an actor's sexual orientation have any effect on the audience's appreciation of his or her performance. Look at Ian McKellan - he's an excellent actor, able to shine in any part.

The only thing I have against him is that I heard he turned down the role of Albus Dumbledore after dear Richard Harris passed away.

No, I do not think an actor should be judged by his/her sexual preference. Many straight men play gay roles and visa versa. A good actor makes you understand (when you see the movie) it doesn't matter about sexual preference. A good actor gets you so involved in the movie that it never enters your mind. It's also good to be open minded about peoples capabilities.

I am sick and tired of the fact that the media machine PRESUMES they are gay. Come on! This is the 21st Century. Being gay and an actor is NOT a big deal anymore.

So now people rumor Tom Cruise is gay (and to the people who assert that he is, I ask, "have you slept with him?"), Kevin Spacey is gay and the list goes on and on and on. I mean, if Ellen Degeneres and Portia DiRossi can be openly gay in public and Ian McKellan can be openly gay why can't anyone?

Until the actor come sout of the closet on their own, I have no reason to believe otherwise.