Can Neil Patrick Harris Breakthrough & Become Hollywood’s First Openly Gay Male Superstar?

I think Neil Patrick Harris has a serious opportunity to become a real leading comedic man in Hollywood for a couple of reasons.

1.  The public already “knows” Neil from the Doogie Howser M.D. television show when he was child star. America has grown up with Neil Patrick Harris and watched him mature and  transition nicely from  child star roles  to becoming a solid adult actor.  Some people may argue Neil is already a “star” and this is true. However, on “How I Met Your Mother” Neil is not the male lead he is a supporting character on the show.

2. Since Neil is an openly gay man, I think he’s got to think about the next step in his progression is to becomeing the first A list openly gay male actor in Hollywood.  If Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Ray Romano,  Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, can headline comedic movies why can’t Neil Patrick Harris?

3. Neil is certainly a better actor than Sandler, Rock, Romano, Vaughn, and James. He’s also more attractive than most comedic male actors. Third, unlike some gay male actors in Hollywood Neil is masculine and that’s really important. I know some gay activist is going to scream at me but I think in order to “attract” heterosexual women cannot be effeminate.

4. Heterosexual women want to have a “fantasy” that they can have “sex” with their favourite male actor. Women are not going to have sexual fantasies about RuPaul or some feminine gay man. I think Neil and his agents need to target the female heterosexual audience. Neil is the right “age” to transition to film roles he’s good-looking, and unlike some comedic actors he actually can “act”. I think the key for Neil is finding the “right” role. I am not sure if Neil’s agent is looking for projects where he is the leading man?

5. Hollywood is still a very homophobic place even though Los Angeles is crawling with gay men in the background. There are so many gay male directors, screenwriters, agents, publicists, personal assistants, yet hardly any gay man in Hollywood is truly a mainstream star. Perhaps gay men are a part of the problem as well?

A current trend in Hollywood is heterosexual male actors are cast in movies dealing with homosexuality. However, the reverse is not often true. Neil Patrick Harris character Barney  Stinson on “How I Met Your Mother” is progress because the character is straight.  Isn’t it time Neil Patrick Harris also obtain a “straight” headlining film role in a comedic film? Isn’t it time Neil Patrick Harris is the “lead” in a movie and not just the “supporting” best friend?

Has progress really taken place in Hollywood for openly gay male actors?