Advertisement
Nathan Lane, reflecting on his experience during the promotion of the 90s movie The Birdcage, shared a touching story about his late co-star Robin Williams. The film revolves around the owner of a drag club and his partner navigating a situation with their son’s conservative in-laws.
Lane, appearing on The Today Show, revealed that he was unprepared to discuss his sexuality during an interview with Oprah Winfrey to promote the movie. Williams, ever supportive, intervened to protect Lane during the conversation.
Lane recalled Williams saying, “‘Oh, it’s alright, don’t worry about — we don’t have to talk about it.'” When the topic inevitably came up during the Oprah interview in the context of typecasting, Lane described how Williams deftly diverted the conversation, going off on a tangent and effectively protecting him. Lane expressed his gratitude, describing Williams as a “saint.”
Reflecting on that time, Lane mentioned, “I just wasn’t ready to do that.” He highlighted that while progress has been made, homophobia still exists, and many LGBTQ+ individuals may feel compelled to hide their identities. Lane’s story underscores the importance of supportive allies and the impact that individuals like Robin Williams can have in creating a safe and inclusive environment, even in the challenging landscape of Hollywood and public perception.