Culture

Viggo Mortensen defends playing gay man in 'Falling': 'None of your business' if I'm straight



Actor Viggo Mortensen is defending his decision to portray a gay man in his upcoming film “Falling,” saying his sexual orientation is no one’s business.

The 62-year-old “Lord of the Rings” star spoke to The Times about his experience playing John in “Falling,” which also marks his directorial debut. John is gay man who invites his conservative father Willis to live in Los Angeles with him and his husband Eric, played by Terry Chen, after Willis is diagnosed with dementia.

Mr. Mortensen addressed some of the backlash he’s faced from the LGBTQ community over his role as a gay man, expressing some level of annoyance that people just assumed he’s straight.

“Look, these are the times we’re living in, and I think it’s healthy that those issues are brought up,” the actor said. “The short answer is that I didn’t think it was a problem. And people then ask me, ‘Well what about Terry Chen, who plays my husband in the film, is he a homosexual?’”

“And the answer is I don’t know, and I would never have the temerity to ask someone if they were, during the casting process,” he continued. “And how do you know what my life is? You’re assuming that I’m completely straight. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. And it’s frankly none of your business.”

“I want my movie to work, and I want the character of John to be effective,” he added. “So if I didn’t think it was a good idea, I wouldn’t do it.”

According to People, Mr. Mortensen has been in at least two public relationships, both with women, and has a 32-year-old son named Henry.

The actor made headlines last month while discussing a similar topic.

“I apologize to all the proctologists for casting David Cronenberg,” Mr. Mortensen joked, referring to the actor who plays a proctologist in the film.

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