'He Would Protect Me': Nathan Lane Reflects on Robin Williams Helping Him After The Birdcage
Before Nathan Lane had come out publicly, he played Robin Williams' lover in the 1996 movie The Birdcage. Looking back, Lane can still remember how Williams served as his protector at the time.
Per People, Lane was present at the Critics Choice Association's inaugural Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television event. He spoke about how he'd only come out to close friends and family members when he was on the rise as an actor, but he started getting asked about his sexual orientation in media interviews after playing gay characters. It even came up during an Oprah interview to promote The Birdcage, and Lane now wishes he would have used the opportunity to come out publicly, but he didn't feel ready at the time.
Mrs Doubtfire-1
Related
Mrs. Doubtfire Director Reveals Robin Williams' Reaction to Unmade Sequel's Script
Chris Columbus reveals the one question Robin Williams had after reading the Mrs. Doubtfire 2 script.
The Birdcage Robin Williams with nathan lane
"I certainly wish I had been braver at the time," Lane said. "Like when Oprah Winfrey on her show asked me why I was so good at all that girly stuff in The Birdcage. If I could go back in time, the answer I wish I had given is: The reason I'm good at all that stuff is because I'm a wonderful actor, but if you're asking me if I'm gay, the answer is yes and proud of it."
At the time of the interview, Lane was "yet again not prepared to publicly declare my sexual allegiance," though he doesn't fault Winfrey for asking, stating that she was "just being playful." Lane also remembered opening up to Williams about his fears associated with coming out ahead of the interview. Williams assured Lane that he never had to discuss his sexuality if he wasn't ready.
Field of Dreams With Kevin Costner
Related
Kevin Costner Recalls Beating Out Robin Williams for Lead Role in Acclaimed Film
Kevin Costner remembers his surprise at landing the role over "big star" Robin Williams.
Lane explained, "I had expressed my fears beforehand to the late, great Robin Williams, who kindly said to me, 'Don't worry, Nathan. You don't have to discuss it if you're not ready.' And he went on to protect me whenever he could, throughout the awkward moments,"
Robin Williams Was Nathan Lane's Protector
Lane previously shared an example of how Williams helped him out in a Today interview in 2023. Williams knew that Lane wasn't prepared to speak about his sexuality publicly, but when the two went on Oprah, they knew it would inevitably come up. However, Williams was ready for it, quickly jumping in and changing the subject as soon as Winfrey asked the question.
“She was like, ‘How come you’re so good at that girlie stuff? Are you worried about being typecast?’” Lane said. “And then Robin sort of swoops in and diverts Oprah, goes off on a tangent and protects me because he was a saint.”
Lane continued, "Robin was just the greatest person, just such a beautiful, sensitive soul and so kind and generous to me. And it was, you know, it was sort of prescient about gay marriage.”
It was just a few years later when Lane was ready to come out publicly. After the infamous murder of 21-year-old gay man Matthew Shepherd in 1998, Lane felt compelled to address his sexuality, hoping that it would help inspire others who might be struggling.
"I'd already come out on a personal level, why not come out publicly now that I was the so-called public figure if it might be meaningful to others in the struggle. So I did, and I'm glad I did," Lane said.
Williams died by suicide in 2014 at the age of 63.
Source: People