David Hyde Pierce: Officially Gay

May 31, 2007

David Hyde Pierce is officially “out.” The 48-year-old actor best known for his role as Dr. Niles Crane on the long-running sitcom “Frasier” has confirmed, through his publicist, that he is in fact gay and in a committed relationship with his partner Brian Hargrove.

The actor, who has long sought privacy in his social life, made the revelation during an interview with the Associated Press. The article mostly pertained to his recent success on stage in the Broadway musical “Curtains,” but when the interview touched on Pierce’s career path he divulged that his move to L.A. was brought on “when his partner, actor-writer-producer Brian Hargrove, wanted to write for television.”

The mention was barely even an aside within the larger news piece but since David has been notoriously non-committal regarding his private life it soon raised some eyebrows. A follow-up phone conversation with the actor’s publicist served as final confirmation.

It’s not that David Hyde’s been secretive about his sexuality in the past, but rather private … something we can respect. The actor has, in the past, made oblique references to his relationship with Hargrove but stayed passive about his personal life to mainstream press. Many in the Hollywood community were already well aware of the actor’s relationship with Hargrove -- the two even hosted a 2006 benefit in their L.A. home.

Pierce’s candor follows in the footsteps of some other notable celebrity “outings" of late, namely T.R. Knight (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother”), and pop singer Lance Bass.

We’ll be honest and say that while we are ecstatic over David’s new public gayness, we’re also not the least bit surprised. On the other hand, coffee blew straight out our noses today upon reading in Rush & Molloy that Pierce’s “Frasier” co-star Kelsey Grammer is … now get this … a Republican activist. Talk about a lifestyle choice.