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‘Space Jam’ role wasn’t meant for iconic actor because he was ‘too gay,’ says longtime star

  • Nathan Lane lost a role in the 1996 movie 'Space Jam' because he was deemed 'too gay,' according to his interview with Vanity Fair.
  • Lane auditioned for the part of Michael Jordan's publicist, which eventually went to another actor from 'Seinfeld.'
  • In a 2023 interview, Lane revealed that Robin Williams protected him from being forced to come out as gay during a press tour for 'The Birdcage.'
  • Lane expressed his gratitude towards Williams, describing him as a 'beautiful, sensitive soul.
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Nathan Lane Reveals Frustrating Reason 'Space Jam' Director Rejected Him For Role

Actor Nathan Lane, on publicity tour for a new TV series, discussed old films and old chances in an interview with Vanity Fair recently. The actor—a Tony, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Laurence Olivier award winner—talked about how all the awards in the world did not land him a role in the iconic movie Space Jam back in 1997. Lane went on to explain why: he's gay. Less openly so at the time, but he had just come off filming The Birdcage with Ro…

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The IndependentThe Independent
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Nathan Lane claims he missed out on big film role because of his sexuality

‘Homophobia is alive and well,’ actor said

·London, United Kingdom
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Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance
Center

‘Space Jam’ role wasn’t meant for iconic actor because he was ‘too gay,’ says longtime star

Nathan Lane said in an interview with Vanity Fair that he lost out on a role in 1996’s “Space Jam” and was told it was because he was just “too gay.”

·Richmond County, United States
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Attitude.co.ukAttitude.co.uk
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Nathan Lane says 'homophobia is alive and well' in Hollywood and reveals role he didn't get because he's gay

Lane also spoke of his gratitude to TV producer Ryan Murphy for casting him in dramatic roles in series like The People vs OJ Simpson

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Nathan Lane Says He Didn't Get This Movie Role Because Director Thought He Was 'Too Gay'

The Tony-winning actor said his sexuality led him to miss out on a film that he "didn’t really care about."

·United States
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Pink NewsPink News
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Nathan Lane says he lost Space Jam role because director thought he was 'too gay'

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and Modern Family star Nathan Lane has opened up on industry homophobia making it difficult for the out gay actor to land roles early in his career. Lane, whose first television credit is dated 1981, since which he has won three Tony Awards, three Emmys, an Olivier and a SAG award, is known for many roles, including the groundbreaking 1996 queer film The Birdcage. Despite being a trailblazer, Lane, who …

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IndieWire broke the news in Los Angeles, United States on Monday, March 24, 2025.
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