Nathan Lane: Too Gay for Space Jam?
Nathan Lane states that he didn’t get a role in the popular 1996 movie “Space Jam” due to being perceived as not fitting the character because of his sexual orientation.
The actor, aged 69, discussed the matter with Vanity Fair, claiming that the director of Space Jam, Joe Pytka, perceived his hosting of the Tony Awards as an indication that he might be too openly homosexual for the role.
I’m overjoyed that I wasn’t part of Space Jam, but who knows? I’ll forever wonder about the reactions it would have garnered, as I shared my thoughts with a media outlet.
In the given scenario, Wayne Knight took on the role that originally belonged to Stan, who was portraying the publicist for Michael Jordan’s character.
When asked about potential discrimination, Nathan responded by saying, ‘I’m not sure about what happens in private situations, but it’s hard for me not to believe that it might have been a factor.’
‘Someone informed me that my role may have influenced the film Space Jam, specifically the character previously played by Jerry Seinfeld.’ He also mentioned this.
It seems the director believed my hosting the Tony Awards implied I was overly effeminate, which might have prevented me from playing the role. Fortunately, I wasn’t required to be in Space Jam. However, I can’t help but wonder about such assumptions; I’ll never truly understand what people say or think about me.
Back in 2016, Joe discussed Stan’s part during an Entertainment Weekly chat, without bringing up Nathan.
Initially, my preference was to cast Michael J. Fox in the role. However, the studio wasn’t keen on him. Later, since I had collaborated with Chevy Chase on some Doritos advertisements, I considered him for the part; unfortunately, they were not interested in such type of casting.
He pointed out that homophobia in Hollywood remains prevalent, highlighting that when he first came out, there were limited opportunities available.
Nathan starred in The Birdcage in 1996, the same year Space Jam was released.
He came out publicly in 1999, after the murder of Matthew Shepard, who was killed at age 18.
Nathan married Devin Elliott in 2015 after being together for 18 years.
Nathan made his feature film debut in 1987, in the project Ironweed.
He is known for portraying Timon in the 1994 blockbuster The Lion King, as well as for his roles as Desk Sergeant in Addams Family Values (1993), Snowbell Little in Stuart Little, and Austin Powers in Goldmember, Mirror Mirror, among others.
The actor boasts a successful career on Broadway, having garnered multiple Tony Awards – one for performances in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, and Angels in America.
He also won an Emmy for his role in Only Murders in the Building.
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2025-03-26 01:20