The Apprentice Star Jeremy Strong Reveals His View on Straight Actors Playing Gay Roles

The Apprentice Star Jeremy Strong Reveals His View on Straight Actors Playing Gay Roles

As a seasoned cinephile with over two decades of movie-going experiences under my belt, I find Jeremy Strong’s perspective on this matter quite compelling. Having watched him evolve from a relative unknown to an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor, it’s fascinating to see how he approaches complex roles such as Roy Cohn in ‘The Apprentice.’


Jeremy Strong acknowledges that some people have criticized straight actors for taking on gay roles. In a recent conversation, he shares his perspective on this topic. In reality, Strong has been wedded to Emma Wall, a documentary filmmaker, since 2016. However, as an Emmy-winning actor (Succession, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series), Strong is currently playing Roy Cohn in the upcoming movie about Donald Trump (portrayed by Sebastian Stan), titled “The Apprentice“. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Strong expresses his viewpoint on the debate surrounding the casting issue.

Indeed, your perspective is quite valid! I tend to lean towards traditional views, where I believe that an artist’s true essence lies in their craftsmanship. Throughout history, exceptional artists have managed to transform themselves and their work significantly. As an actor, this is the role you are expected to fulfill – to portray something that may not be inherently familiar or natural to you.

In a recent interview, the esteemed actor, known for winning Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and Satellite awards for his role as Kendall Roy in HBO’s dark comedy-drama series ‘Succession’, further expressed his thoughts on the casting issue. He stated:

“I believe it would be advantageous if more emphasis was placed on having gay actors play gay roles, but I don’t consider it essential. Regardless of who plays a role, what I strongly advocate for is treating the character and their struggles with the same gravity as one would treat their own life. It’s crucial to remember that these are not games or toys, but complex individuals and their experiences.

Jeremy Strong’s Take on ‘Demonic Peter Pan’

The Apprentice Star Jeremy Strong Reveals His View on Straight Actors Playing Gay RolesThe Apprentice Star Jeremy Strong Reveals His View on Straight Actors Playing Gay RolesThe Apprentice Star Jeremy Strong Reveals His View on Straight Actors Playing Gay Roles

Before relaying his stance on gay roles being portrayed by straight actors, Jeremy Strong already went on the record presenting a defense for playing “one of the worst humans of the 20th century” in The Apprentice. Strong also compared his version of Roy Cohn to that of “a demonic Peter Pan.” However, Strong’s approach to the character remains a difficult task when trying to humanize such a vilified person, which he elaborated on during his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Strong said in the interview:

As a film enthusiast, I believe the director, Ali Abbasi, aimed to reflect humanity itself in this movie, shedding light on these characters and our society. This isn’t a political statement; it doesn’t endorse any particular ideology or candidate. Instead, it invites us to genuinely understand these individuals as fellow human beings, something we often neglect. We tend to stereotype, vilify, and ridicule such people, rather than empathize with them.

If you’re eagerly anticipating “The Apprentice” hitting theaters on October 11th, here’s a heads-up for those craving more insight into Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Roy Cohn and Sebastian Stan’s depiction of Donald Trump before the biographical drama graces our screens. For a detailed review, don’t miss MovieWeb’s take on “The Apprentice,” where it’s labeled as “a peculiar comedy revolving around power-hungry, empty men.” As we approach its theater release this very Friday, one might wonder if such an intriguing description will be enough to outshine the charm of “Saturday Night” and “Joker: Folie à Deux” at the box office this weekend.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-10-09 20:01