Nathan Lan he remembers his friend Robin Williams – as a “saint.”
It’s been years now, admittedly Broadway Darling has become a beacon for the LGBTQIA+ community, serving as a board member and fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS non-profit. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine a time before he was comfortable publicly owning his sexuality.
Funnily enough, he co-starred with Williams in his first major film role in 1996 The Birdcage, where the two portray gay men, they haven’t come out of the closet yet! Now that he has announced his passing, the great Robin helped him keep his wits about him during the film’s press tour.
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While talking together Sunday Today over the weekend, the Just Murder in the Building star remembers how nervous he will be interviewed Oprah Winfrey show all last year, because they are not ready to come out:
“I’m not ready at all. And I’m definitely not ready to go off the tables and tell everyone I’m gay. I just want to talk about the end [getting] big part in the movie, and I didn’t want to make it about my sexuality.
She knew it would be “inevitable given the nature of the film” – but remembered to confess to Williams before she was told about her sexuality. Oprah Winfreywhich he worries will ask serious questions:
“I don’t think Oprah is trying to push me out, but I said before Robin, ‘I’m not ready. I’m too scared to come out and talk to Oprah. I’m not ready to discuss that I’m gay on national television. I’m not ready.'”
He remembers his friends quickly coming to his support at the time:
“He said, ‘Oh, it’s okay, don’t worry — we don’t have to talk about it. We’re not going to talk about it.'”
At Amy the winner then reminisced about the questions Oprah asked, such as, “How come you’re so good at that girl?” and “Are you worried about typing?” before Robin “like swoops in and turns Oprah, goes off on a tangent and protects me because she’s a saint.” At Aladdin star can definitely go on a tangent! So proud of him for putting that power to good use! You can see for yourself (below)!
Nathan is sure to thank you! He added:
“I’m just not ready to do it. Now you have to make a public statement about it – I’m scared… It’s great that everyone feels comfortable now, but homophobia is still alive and many gay people are still hiding.
Sad but true…
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It was great to hear Nathan remember the deceased Dead Poets Society star like “a beautiful and sensitive soul.” Watch the full clip (below):
What a touching story! Robin is one of the best…
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[Images via NBC & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/YouTube & WENN]