Nick Offerman Slams Homophobic 'Last Of Us' Viewers At Spirit Awards

Graeme O'Neil takes a look at Nick Offerman's speech at the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards where he called out homophobic "The Last Of Us" viewers.

[jhonnewell]

As a gay male, I don’t care if a straight person plays a gay character or vice verses. As long as you can deliver a believable character, it’s all good in my book. If only gays played gay characters then, we wouldn’t have the movie To Wong Foo. All 3 main actors are straight ( Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze RIP, and John Leguizamon ) are straight. Robin Williams RIP, wouldn’t have been in The Birdcage. Eric McCormack wouldn’t have been Will Truman.

These 3 examples had powerful messages behind them and started the help build some of our communities acceptance from the straight community.

[JoseBraghiroli]

here's the thing: yes, an actor's sexuality should not impact their ability to play a character of any sexuality. actors act. but...

my problem with straight actors playing LGBTIQ+ characters is how the industry and the media used to (not so much anymore, but still) "glorify" the fact that a straight actor would "leave their comfort zone" and "dare to explore" the non-straight sexuality of their character, as if a non-straight sexual orientation was nothing more than a fun little quest for the straight actor to play with.

make no mistake: part of the reason Nick Offerman made such an impact playing a gay character is that he is, in fact, Nick Offerman, of Ron Swanson fame. He was absolutely stellar in the role, but you cannot deny that if it had been played by an equally talented, openly-LGBTIQ+ actor, the conversation would be different, because there wouldn't be that angle of "he so bravely explored his character's sexuality that was different from his own". just look at his co-star Murray Bartlett who did just as amazing a job but was somehow "less impressive" because he didn't dare to "explore" being gay, he just is.

it happens every. single. time. a straight actor (btw I'm using actor as an umbrella term including actresses) plays LGBTIQ+, but never happens when a non-straight actor plays straight.

edit: you proved my point at 2:30 - the mere fact that him being straight and playing gay is why his performance is so commendable is exactly what is wrong with this.

[cheri]

If you can be believable in that role then you should be able to be cast no matter what

[jessep]

This episode got me out of the mind set of "The Last of Us" being just another zombie plague show. Instead we were given beautiful stories in a frightening world. Sounds real to me.

[kellifranklin]

He was amazing in TLOU. So was Murray! I'm so glad he spoke about this! He's an icon!

[jayr]

Gay, straight shouldn’t matter. The best actor for the role should play it.

[andyd]

Hes literally married to Karen from Will and Grace he better be an ally!!!

[stevencurrey]

Thanks for this story Graeme ! You are the best!

[PokhrajRoy.]

In India, there was a movie called ‘Fire’ which had a sapphic relationship. The actors who played the leads are still fierce allies BUT if that movie was made now, there would be atleast some commentary on casting queer people for queer roles.

[seanluzdeluna]

Nick Offerman is effing iconic bro. I first knew him as Randy from George Lopez, one of Benny's (George's mom) love interests. He was so dang funny in that role, lol.😅😄And as an LGBTQ+ person, I effing love the fact that he's an ally!🙌🏼🤩😍🏳️‍🌈🌈

[toms]

Nick's performance was wonderful. What comes to actors wondering whether they 'can' play certain roles is just silly. Studios and actors shouldn't all the time be so scared what some angry few shout on social media.

[jessicap]

I was expecting zombies. Instead I got an incredibly touching love story that made me cry. During an apocalypse.

[fifinoir]

So long as queer actors can play straight then straight actors can play queer but the area I don’t think that applies to is for trans people seeing as I don’t know if an out trans actor has played a cisgender role (I may be mistaken). So until that can happen on the regular then I think transgender roles should be exclusively for transgender actors. There’s other traits I think that’ll apply to as well. Like certain disabilities or certain races or other traits I’m sure. Unless the story requires it for some reason, there are certain traits that only actors with those traits should play but I don’t believe that applies to LGB roles.

[paulajf]

As long as the directors and casting agents weren't being biased or homophobic in their casting of straight people for those roles, then it's not wrong to cast those straight actors for the parts, and maybe early it was actually especially helpful to the cause of inclusive stories in Hollywood, especially early on w/those stories & roles. Those big wig actors were being allies in getting eyes on those stories and characters.

[YodaMan-]

i appreciate Nicks portrayal of a gay man (and a beautiful one. Megan is a very lucky woman). as a masculine gay man theres so few characters i can relate to. its only happened 3 times in 20 years that ive seen. Brokeback Mountain. Constantine from Legends of Tomorrow. and Bill and Frank in The Last of Us. though i do appreciate the attempt at (not always genuine) inclusion, at the same time i get southparks take on "why only lesbians though?"

[PokhrajRoy.]

The problem is that due to the whole system geared towards this paradox of ‘bankability’ and ‘name recognition’, a lot of queer actor miss out on opportunities or are not encouraged. OF COURSE there are exceptions like Nick Offerman who provides that sensitivity.

However, you can see ‘straight’ actors playing good queer characters and still be upset at the lack of opportunities and limited imaginations. Both can exist at the same time.

[Blacharrt]

The roles in Philidelphia were problematic, both Denzel and Tom's roles were. But they were also well acted. in terms of Nick Offerman winning, his scene partner was actually an out gay man, and he didn't win an aware for playing his gay lover. Straight actors playing gay isn't diversity, the issue here is equality and diversity in having access to roles. yes, best person should play the part but if those gays, non-binary, genderfluid, trans, lesbians etc, BIPOC, cis women aren't even allowed to audition then there will be no progress or equality. I'm tired of seeing straight cis men being rewarded for playing people in my community. I am also happy that our stories are being pushed more to the forefront, but I don't need a cis white man telling it the majority of the time, and he doesn't need to be rewarded for it.

[pauletteandriaHamilton]

Kudos to him for telling the homophobic viewers off and a good movie that is out with sci-fi twist but also a love story all of us strangers.

[isaacmartinez]

People who are mad because of that episode hadn’t played The Last of Us, which does have themes of LGBT.

[CharlieGV]

He said what everyone should have said a long time ago. Intolerance is still a thing because we don't stand up against bigots and closeted cases. PERIOD😂😂