21 Queer Actors That Played Straight in Horror Films

Historically, there has never been an abundance of queer male characters in the horror genre. That doesn't mean there hasn't been queer representation on film projects, as many queer actors have put their acting talents to good use, taking on straight roles in horror films. With Halloween right around the corner, this week's listicle spotlights 21 queer actors that played it straight for horror films. Leave a comment below if we missed any of your favorites. Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
 

Jordan Gavaris  
Out actor Jordan Gavaris dipped his toe into the horror genre with his brief appearance in the franchise sequel Curse of Chucky, which restarted the film series nine years after the previous film. Jordan played a delivery guy who first places the killer doll into the hands of new final girl Nica (Fiona Dourif). The role also gave Gavaris the opportunity to play a straight character, as he openly flirted with Nica while making his delivery. 

 

Jonathan Bennett  
The 2020 horror comedy Sorry I Killed You provided a humorous take on the genre, as a serial killer's plan to murder a group of co-workers on a work retreat gets derailed when the would-be victims turn on each other, causing their own demises. Out actor Jonathan Bennett played one of the lead office workers, Mike. While the film did feature a lesbian character, Bennett got to play it straight for his role as the catalyst for paranoia among his group.

 

Larry Saperstein 
Prior to his starring role in the popular Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Larry Saperstein played a supporting role in the horror flick Porno. The film followed a group of teen slackers working in a movie theater where they accidentally awaken a succubus. Saperstein's character Todd would quickly become one of the alluring sex demon's prey during the film. Saperstein would come out as bisexual in 2021.

 

Kal Penn  
In 2021, Kal Penn announced his engagement to his longtime boyfriend Josh. Exactly one year later, he hit the big screen with a supporting role in the horror film Smile. Penn played Dr. Morgan Desai, the supervisor of leading lady Rose (Sosie Bacon) who finds herself haunted by a demonic force manifesting itself through a demented smile. While Morgan managed to avoid the grinning curse, he did get to rip his own face off in one of Rose's hallucinations.

 

Garrett Clayton 
The 2016 horror thriller Don't Hang Up follows best friends Sam and Brady, two teens whose fun game of drunken prank calls, for their group's YouTube channel, gets them into major trouble when a stranger turns the game back on them, with deadly consequences. Out actor Garrett Clayton played Brady, one half of the straight lead duo who get pitted against one another when the stalker reveals Brady has been sleeping with Sam's girlfriend.

 

Mike Manning 
For 2021's horror thriller Slapface, bisexual actor Mike Manning played Tom, the straight older brother of lead character Lucas. After their mother's death, Tom attempts to use tough love to care for Lucas who is tormented by female bullies. Manning played straight for the film, as Tom engaged in a romance with newcomer Anna (Libe Barber), while Lucas befriended a dangerous monster in the woods, looking to help eliminate Lucas's enemies.

 

Lachlan Buchanan  
In 2015, out Australian actor Lachlan Buchanan got to play the dashing American romantic lead for the supernatural horror film Muck, which followed a group of friends who escape an ancient burial ground only to find themselves in a fight for their lives. Lachlan's character Troit put his life on the line for his female love interest Chandi (Puja Mohindra), forcing him into a swampy physical battle against the forces of evil.  

 

Tom McBride 
Tom McBride was known for his work as a model in the 1980s. As an openly gay performer, he appeared on Broadway and made his film debut in Friday the 13th Part II, where he played one of the most memorable victims in Jason's first outing. His character Mark was the first and only paraplegic character to ever fall prey to Jason's machete, cutting short the romantic plans Mark made minutes earlier with fellow camp counselor Vickie.

 

Lee Pace  
The dark comedy horror whodunit Bodies Bodies Bodies was certainly inclusive in its storytelling with a queer female love story at its center. Out actor Lee Pace, however, appeared in a straight romance for his role as Greg, the 40-something outsider among a group of 20-somethings who find their hurricane party ruined, seemingly by murder. This made Greg an instant suspect, given the group's lack of knowledge about his background. 

 

Corey Fogelmanis  
The Octavia Spencer-led horror thriller Ma cast former child actor Corey Fogelmanis as Andy, the teenage love interest of main character Maggie. With their friend group secretly targeted by lead character Sue Ann (Spencer), Andy was particularly important to her demented motives as he was the son of her past tormentor Ben (Luke Evans). Fogelmanis would not be the only queer actor cast in the film, directed by out producer Tate Taylor.

 

Luke Evans  
Joining Fogelmanis on-screen for Ma was Luke Evans, playing Andy's father Ben, a major target for unhinged leading lady Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer). The film reveals that Ben and his friends bullied her horribly in high school, leading her to seek revenge on the teens in the present. Despite playing a straight dad, and object of Ma's twisted affections, in real-life Evans is openly gay. He previously appeared in the 2012 horror film No One Lives. 

 

Leslie Jordan  
Leslie Jordan began his acting career in 1986. The majority of his roles have been playing queer characters. However, his first role in a horror film required him to play it straight. For Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, Jordan played Shelby, a diner cook working alongside his wife Joey, and their son Ward when their business becomes a key target for the monstrous Jason who comes looking for his family who take refuge at the diner. 

 

Matt Dallas  
Three years after marrying his husband, musician Blue Hamilton, out actor Matt Dallas took on a very different role. For 2018's Along Came the Devil, Dallas got religious in his role as John Douglas, a local pastor who attempts to help troubled teen Ashley (Sydney Sweeney) when she experiences a paranormal haunting that leaves her possessed. Dallas previously appeared in the horror films Babysitter Wanted and Ghost of Goodnight Lane.

 

Kevin Spirtas 
After beginning his career on Broadway, Kevin Spirtas transitioned to the horror genre, using the name Kevin Blair for roles in sequels like The Hills Have Eyes Part II and the Bloodstone franchise. His biggest horror role came as Nick, the love interest of leading lady Tina, in Friday the 13th: The New Blood in 1988. The openly gay actor got to play hero, coming to Tina's aide allowing both of the characters to survive Jason's wrath. 

 

Ronen Rubinstein 
Inspired by true events, the 2020 horror film Smiley Face Killers cast bisexual heartthrob Ronen Rubinstein in his most physically revealing role ever. Rubinstein played main character Jake Graham, who gets targeted by mysterious stalkers after a love scene with his female love interest. He's stripped naked for his abduction, leading him to attempt to escape with is butt on display for multiple scenes. Queer writer Bret Easton Ellis penned the script.

 

Froy Gutierrez 
Soon after going public with his romance with fellow actor Zane Phillips, out actor Froy Gutierrez began filming his lead role in the horror reboot The Strangers: Chapter 1, where Gutierrez was paired with Madelaine Petsch as a couple who are terrorized by masked killers while staying in a secluded cabin. The movie wasn't Gutierrez's first foray into horror. He previously played straight fratboy Ryan in another horror slasher, 2020's Initiation. 

 

Julian Morris   
British actor Julian Morris made his first splash in American cinema with the horror film Cry_Wolf, as a member of a group of boarding school students whose lying game puts them at the mercy of a slasher. Morris's character Owen romanced his female counterpart Dodger (Lindy Booth) in the film. Four years later, the queer actor would play the straight love interest to a leading lady again, for Sorority Row, which also allowed him to take on the role of the killer.

 

Matt Bomer  
Out actor Matt Bomer found himself at the mercy of Leatherface for his starring role in the movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, a prequel to the 2003 remake. Bomer played Eric, a soldier on leave with his girlfriend and his brother when they get sidetracked in the Hewitt family territory, leading to a harrowing fight for survival. Bomer played straight for the film, a fact that did not save him from a grizzly demise. 

 

Mark Patton 
Mark Patton took on his most iconic film role with A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge. Patton was cast as lead character Jesse, who must contend with the evil dream demon who looks to take over Jesse's body to continue his killing spree. Patton has spoke openly in the years since the film about how it impacted his career and life during his time in the closet. Patton would return to horror decades later, playing the villain for 2022's body horror Swallowed.

 

Nicholas Hamilton 
The 2017 hit horror film IT brought Pennywise the clown back into pop culture. In addition to the killer demon, Derry's "losers club" also had to contend with a group of local bullies, led by Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton). While he often employed homophobic slurs for the villainous role, in reality Australian actor Hamilton is openly gay, having come out at the age of 18. Hamilton is set to star in the upcoming horror film Do Not Enter.

 

Anthony Perkins 
One of Anthony Perkins's most iconic film roles came as Norman Bates in the Alfred Hitchcock classic 1960 horror film Psycho. While Perkins embraced the role of the mother-obsessed killer Norman, in reality he was coming to the end of his romance with fellow actor Tab Hunter at the time. Perkins & Hunter notoriously battled with the 1950's Hollywood film studio system over their sexuality. Ultimately Perkins married and fathered future horror director Osgood Perkins.