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Darren Criss has played numerous characters on TV, film and stage, but he is best known for his roles as Blaine in Glee and his recent turn as the real-life Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story for which he has won him an Emmy and, most recently, a Golden Globe nomination. In addition, he played the titular character in Broadways Hedwig and the Angry Itch. The characters are members of the LGBTQ community and Criss, who identifies as heterosexual, said that those will be the last queer characters he will play.
During a recent event for Cloroxs What Comes Next in New York, Criss said that the gay roles that he has played are wonderful. He followed that up with saying, “But I want to make sure I wont be another straight boy taking a gay mans role.”
The Hollywood is currently in a transition when it comes to authentic representation of LGBTQ characters, people of color and other members from marginalized communities — and Criss is very cognizant of that. He admits that he no longer feels comfortable playing these roles and that it is “unfortunate.”
“The reason I say that is because getting to play those characters is inherently a wonderful dramatic experience,” he said. “It has made for very, very compelling and interesting people.”
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