Photos: Celebrities With Gay Parents

We sometimes forget that celebrities had lives before they became well-known. They weren’t born rich and famous (well, not most of them), they were little kids first. I mean have you ever once thought what Robert De Niro was like as a little boy, or whether or not O.J. Simpson played a lot of football when he was a kid? No, you just know De Niro is one of the all-time greatest actors who plays tough guys like nobody’s business, and O.J. Simpson may or may not have gotten away with murder. But De Niro and O.J. Simpson were little kids, and their childhoods have something in common – they both grew up with gay parents.

Here are celebrities you may or may not have known had gay parents.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro has had a long and very successful career in Hollywood and, unlike many celebrities, has always managed to keep his private life private. But fairly recently the ‘Meet the Parents’ star opened up about the fact his father, who was a painter and sculpture in New York City, struggled with his homosexuality.“He probably was (conflicted about his sexuality),” the actor, 70, told OUT Magazine. “Being from that generation, especially from a small town upstate (in New York). “I was not aware, much, of it. I wish we had spoken about it much more.”

Judy Garland

Judy Garland, the child actress that grew into a Hollywood legend, was born Frances Ethel Gumm to parents who were vaudevillians and who ran a movie theatre which featured vaudeville acts. Unfortunately, rumors began to spread that Judy’s father, Frank Gumm, had made sexual advances towards male ushers at the theater, and the family relocated to Lancaster, California in 1926. There is irony in the fact that Judy herself became not just ‘a’ gay icon, but the gay icon.

50 Cent

50 Cent had a rough start to his life. He was born and raised on the mean streets of South Jamaica, Queens without a father, and his mother was bisexual and very much involved with drugs. Sadly and tragically, when he was only a teenager, the “In Da Club” rapper’s mother was mysteriously murdered. Having his own child helped 50 deal with his past, move on with his life, and become one of the biggest rappers of all time.

Jodie Foster 

It seems like Jodie Foster has been acting almost since the day she was born. She was starring in commercials when she was just three years old, and at only 14 was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the acclaimed drama Taxi Driver. Here’s what you may not know: Foster and her siblings were raised by their mother and her mother’s live-in girlfriend. Avoiding questions about her own sexuality for years, Foster finally came out in her acceptance speech during the 70th Golden Globes.

Dorothy Dandridge

Halle Berry won an Oscar for her portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge, who was herself the first black actress ever to be nominated for an Academy Award in 1954 (she lost to Grace Kelly that year). Dorothy’s mother, Ruby, was a lesbian and an actress who encouraged her kids to follow in her footsteps. Dorothy’s mother, left Dorothy’s father when she was 8 months pregnant with Dorothy. She and Dorothy’s older sister 1 -year-old Vivian left and never looked back.

RENE

Another celebrity who has seen great success in her career but had a very rocky start, Rene was born and raised in Burbank, California. Her father split when she was only two years old and her mother, who was a lesbian, had a very hard time taking care of Rene and her sister. Because of this, the gorgeous actress dropped out of high school in the tenth grade to help financially support the family and was eventually discovered by a modeling agent.

Anne Heche 

Perhaps best known as Ellen Degeneres’ first prominent girlfriend, Anne’s father was gay and passed away from complications of AIDS when she was only 13 years old. Anne also claimed that although her father was gay, he repeatedly raped Anne and gave her herpes. Her mother vehemently denied her claims. Heche Ditched Ellen for Coleman Laffoon, whom she had  son, Homer, with. But their 5-year marriage ended in 2007.  

MARVIN GAYE 

The R&B legend is known for his smooth, silky recordings which helped define the sound of Motown. Marvin’s beginnings did not go so smoothly, however, and he was often beaten by his abusive father. This same abusive father was a minister as well as a closet cross dresser. Tragically, the iconic singer was killed by his father in 1984. There are several stories as to why Marvin Sr. shot Marvin, none have been confirmed. The only other person present was Marvin’s mother.

OJ SIMPSON

Before standing trial for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman, O.J. was known as one of the greatest running backs of all time. What many don’t known about the football legend/famous-possible-felon, was that his father was a well-known drag queen who performed all around San Francisco and died in 1986 due to complications from AIDS. O.J grew up with his mom after his parents split in 1952.

AMY ADAMS

Amy Adams has been nominated for an Oscar numerous times, most notably for her role in American Hustle. But this beautiful Hollywood starlet had a rocky childhood. Close to both of her parents, she was devastated when, at eleven years old, they divorced and her mother moved in with her lesbian lover. Upset by the events, Amy went to live with friends of the family. Clearly this was a huge shock.