Daniel Franzese, Former Mean Girls Star, Comes Out as Gay
Daniel Franzese has come out as gay.
The actor, best known for his role as Damian in the beloved comedy Mean Girls, made the announcement this week via a moving letter to that fictional high school student.
"You became an iconic character that people looked up to; I wished I'd had you as a role model when I was younger," Franzese wrote via Indie Wire "I might've been easier to be gay growing up. You WERE beautiful in every single way and words couldn't bring you down."
On the 10-year anniversary of its release date, talk has circulated recently of a Mean Girls reunion.
Franzese went on to say he was pigeonholed as someone who could only play gay and actually resented Damian for awhile.
"I became celibate for a year and a half," he wrote of the experience. "I didn't go to any gay bars, have any flings and I lied to anyone who asked if I was gay.
"I even brought a girl to the 'Mean Girls' premiere and kissed her on the red carpet, making her my unwitting beard. Meanwhile, I was still in the closet. Deleting tweets that asked if I was gay, scrubbing IMDB Message Boards for any indication."
Reflecting back on Damian's positive influence, though, Franzese finally grew inspired to publicly reveal his sexuality.
"My friends and family all knew the truth but now it's time everyone does," he wrote. "Perhaps this will help someone else. I'm not afraid anymore. Of Hollywood, the closet or mean girls. Thank you for that, Damian."
We applaud Franzese, Ellen Page and others who have recently come out of the closet.
Ellen Page made a major announcement in early 2014: She's gay. We applaud her for it.
View As List
1. Ellen Page
Ellen Page made a major announcement in early 2014: She's gay. We applaud her for it.
2. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris plays a womanizer on How I Met Your Mother. But he's married to a man in real life.
3. Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons is a multi-time Emmy winner. He came out in an interview with The New York Times.
4. Anderson Cooper
It's the silver fox! Anderson Cooper made his announcment in a moving personal statement.
5. Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto is best known for roles in Heroes, American Horror Story and on the stage. He also plays Spock in the new Star Trek franchise.
6. Adam Lambert
There was never any real doubt about Adam Lambert's sexuality. But he made it clear not long after his run on American Idol ended.
7. T.R. Knight
He'll always be George O'Malley to Grey's Anatomy fans. T.R. Knight was at the center of a gay slur scandal that led to a series cast shake-up.
8. Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell is one of our more outspoken celebrities. She has five kids.
9. Sean Hayes
Sean Hayes is a beloved sitcom star. He'll always be revered for his role on Will & Grace.
10. Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres is married to Portia de Rossi. She absolutely cracks us up on her talk show.
11. Lance Bass
Lance Bass sang his way into our hearts a long time ago. We may still have his poster on our bedroom wall.
12. Portia de Rossi
Portia de Rossi is married to Ellen DeGeneres and slays us on Arrested Development. She's never been shy about her sexuality.
13. Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts came out in late 2013. Reporters don't get more respected than this GMA anchor.
14. Jesse Tyler Ferguson
We adore Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Modern Family. The gay actor plays a gay character on the sitcom.
15. Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch has been out of the closet for awhile. She cracks us up on Glee.
16. Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer is doubly gay! He's gay in real life and he plays a gay high school graduate on Glee.
17. Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon slept with a lot of men on Sex and the City. But she's partial to women off screen.
18. Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken is another gay American Idol alum. He's running for Congress in North Carolina.
19. Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes is a hilarious actress. She has never hidden the fact that she's gay.
20. Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is the father of twin boys. He's living La Vida Loca.
21. Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge is a great singer. She wants to come to the window of women only.
22. Elton John
It's shocking but true, folks: Elton John is gay!
23. Michael Sam
Michael Sam announced his sexuality prior to the 2014 NFL Draft. He was appropriately applauded for doing so.
24. Chely Wright
Chely Wright is the proud mothr of twins. The country star came out in early 2011.
25. Kristian Nairn
Who doesn't adore Kristian Nairn as Hodor on Game of Thrones? The actor came out as gay in early 2014.
26. Daniel Franzese
Daniel Franzese has come out as gay. The actor is best known for his role as Damian in Mean Girls.
