August Richards has come out as gay with a very powerful and inspiring message! The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Angel star shared with his ‘Council Of Dads’ co-star, Sarah Wayne Callies, that his plan when he joined the industry was to ‘combat oppression.’
He also mentioned that his coming out story is definitely a huge milestone in his evolving career as an actor in Hollywood.
During his Instagram live interview with Sarah, the actor stated that when he came out, it was one of the best days of his life.
Sarah wondered whether or not he felt any pressure and responsibility when portraying Dr. Oliver Post, a married gay black man and father of a daughter, J. August made it very clear that ‘If I think about why I even got involved in this industry, it was really to combat oppression.’
He went on to explain that he ‘knew how I was affected by people of color I saw on television, or who I did not see on television…so this being a gay man with a family…on television, I do not take anything I do lightly, and you know, when you have an opportunity to put an image into just millions of homes…I wanted that image to be very honest and wanted it to be correct.’
The star also mentioned that taking on the role meant he had to be vulnerable and a hundred percent himself around his castmates.
In other words, he was well aware that it would have been close to impossible to portray a gay character without letting his co-stars know he was also a gay man.
‘I’ve never done that with the people that I’ve worked with,’ he added.
He felt like he had a real duty towards those watching and resonating with his character, to also be a role model for them in real life.
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J. August stressed that he took that responsibility really seriously!
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