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Adam4Adam readers, who was your first celebrity crush? Did he make you realize you were gay?
Movies and TV have always had a way of making us feel things, often stirring emotions we didn’t quite understand until later. For many gay and bisexual men, the first stirrings of attraction were thanks to a particular celebrity. A recent thread on r/askgaybros brought up this exact question: “Which celebrity made you realize you were into guys?” The original poster (OP) shared that for him, it was Josh Hutcherson.
Josh Hutcherson, best known for his role as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games series, captured hearts with his portrayal of the sensitive and selfless character. Before that, he appeared in Bridge to Terabithia and Journey to the Center of the Earth, showcasing his versatility as an actor. With his boy-next-door charm and expressive performances, Josh has been a crush-worthy favorite for many fans.
Meanwhile, Hayden Christensen was a popular response as well, with his smoldering portrayal of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. His brooding looks and emotional depth captivated many fans and made him an unforgettable first crush for many.
In addition, Zac Efron, particularly in High School Musical, was another common answer. With his boy-next-door charm and dazzling smile, Zac became a Disney heartthrob who resonated with a generation of viewers. Over the years, he only got hotter, transitioning into roles like a hunky lifeguard in Baywatch, where he showcased his chiseled physique.
One respondent had a very specific memory: “Chris Evans in Fantastic 4. He managed to eclipse Jessica Alba when she is one of the most magnificent women I’ve seen on screen, especially with blonde hair.” Chris Evans as Johnny Storm (Human Torch) radiated confidence and sex appeal, his shirtless scenes still iconic to this day.
The same guy mentioned Brendan Fraser as “a close contender.” Fraser made waves in his roles in The Mummy franchise and George of the Jungle. “Brendan in The Mummy and George of the Jungle, so hot,” agreed another commenter. With his rugged charm and muscular physique, Fraser captivated audiences, often stealing the spotlight from his beautiful co-stars.
Another heartthrob mentioned by the guys was Tom Selleck, who is known for his iconic mustache and suave demeanor in Magnum P.I. His effortless masculinity and charisma were enough to set many hearts aflutter. And, as one gay man put it, “that shirtless hairy chest.”
Chris O’Donnell, who played Robin in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, also made the list. It’s no wonder as he left a lasting impression with his boyish good looks and form-fitting superhero suit.
One particularly vivid memory came from a gay man who wrote, “Ryan Phillipe’s hot ass in Cruel Intentions.” The provocative drama, combined with Ryan’s undeniable allure, cemented him as a gay icon for many young men.
As for my own celebrity crush, it has to be Denzel Washington. Watching him in The Pelican Brief and Crimson Tide during my college years was a game-changer. His charisma, powerful presence, and those piercing eyes made it impossible not to admire him—both for his talent and undeniable charm! And of course, there’s Brendan Fraser who, as the others had said, was really hot in both The Mummy and George of the Jungle.
These actors, through their roles and personas, provided more than just entertainment; they offered many young gay men a glimpse into their identities. Now, we want to hear from you—our dead Adam4Adam readers—which actor made you say, ‘I’m definitely into men?’ Drop your stories in the comments section down below!
I didn’t realize I was gay watching them, but I was attracted/interested in watching them. Back then I didn’t know what gay was because the subject wasn’t discussed like it is now. I just wanted to spend time with them: Ricky Shroeder from Silver Spoons, Wally from Leave It to Beaver, Sandy from Flipper, Jim Bob from The Waltons. As I child I was attracted to blondes LOL.
Being a gay man “of a certain age” now, I’ll have to go way back for this question:
Probably Lee Majors in “The Six-Million Dollar Man”, and/or Patrick Duffy in
“The Man from Atlantis”. Oh, better throw in Parker Stevenson in “The Hardy Boys”!
Not just Parker (who is gay) but both of the Hardy Boys together featured in many a fantasy.
Steve McQueen! The Thomas Crown Affair! The Rievers! So sexy
This was back in the early 1980s and for me it was Christopher Atkins .. when I saw him in the Blue Lagoon and his other early 80s movies, I just knew I wanted to go to bed with him, honey! His dreamy blue eyes, smooth lean tanned body and blonde hair mmmmmm so sexy! Luv u Chris!
I think I learned the concept of jerking off from him…remember that scene when she caught him doing it? I was asking myself, what was he doing? I was confused at the time.
Yes I’ve jerked off to him a lot
OMG – yes. I was infatuated with him and I never even saw the movie. But I would see the TV commercials and print ads and drool! Being into the younger set, I cringe to think of what he looks like today – haha.
Definitely Chris Atkins. Loved his body his look his eyes and hair. I fantasized about what was behind his loin cloth. How many decades has it been? I still look for guys like him as an object of my masturbation
None really, I saw many men/boys, from around the way, so to speak. And then, I saw too numerous of movie/television stars to mention, actually.
My Command Performance as an Altar Boy, and I knew then and there that the woman I was going to meet greet date and eventually marry would never be born.
Chris Evans and Keanu Reeves and not in that order. Keanu in a police uniform confirmed it for sure
This is the most pathetic and f@ggy topic I have ever read. WTF?
It wasn’t a celebrity once I realized I was attracted to males… but one thing I remember was the youth hip hop group Kris cross of the early 90s. I was very young then, probably 6 or so and I recall having an intense attraction to Kris, “daddy mac” or aka the light-skinned one… at the time I didn’t know what these feelings were being so young but looking back at it 30 years later… I feel I definitely had some sexual stirring. It wasn’t until 16 that I realized I was at least bi…now consider myself pan.
Tom Selleck on Magnum P.I., and Lou Ferrigno in The Incredible Hulk!
Ugh! Lou Ferrigno, that’s when I knew I had an eye for Italian/Mediterranean type men, I saw through the green, lmao.
Clint Eastwood, shirtless, tied to a wagon wheel being whipped on an episode of Rawhide. First recollection of having a hardon. May be why I’ve always felt more comfortable in leather bars.
Richard Chamberlain as Young Dr. Kildare….so handsome and sexy. Got to meet him after his appearance on Broadway…tho just for an autograph…LOL!!
Robert Conrad in those tight pants on Wild Wild West, Robert Vaughn on the show Man from U.N.C.L.E and Lamont Sanford on Sanford & Son
Demond Wilson played Lamont, just FYI
Demond Wilson and Robert Conrad, yeesss!
For me it has to be Clint Walker. Someone else put together this YouTube video of Clint at his better scenes
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlt7IT7IPS0
Loved that chest.
My father used to get Playboy magazines and I knew my brother would sneak into his room to take a peek. I was curious of course as well, and one night while my parents were downstairs and went and found my father’s issues and grabbed one at random. I remember looking at the first group of pictures and then the centerfold and thinking they were pretty, but it really didn’t hit me. Then I turned to the photo essay on the year in sex. There were a lot of celebrities and semi celebrities in different states of undress. Then I… Read more »
Yes I remember Jan Michael Vincent in his 1980’s TV show AirWolf, he was another of my 80’s crushes, honey
It was when I watching porn with my girlfriend and I saw this chick sucking this guy’s dick, and she made it look delicious, and his dick was big and beautiful, I couldn’t take me eyes off of it,, I wanted to be in her place sucking that dick so bad,, from that point on when I watched porn ,I found myself looking at the guys dick more that the women, I finally got my chance to suck a dick and couldn’t get enough,, then one guy talked me into letting him fuck me and he made me cum hands… Read more »
Lisa Lawrence and Gia Darling
I realized I was truly gay in the 80s when I was 19 years old. A sexy white guy told me he posed nude in porn magazines. The story goes, I snuck in the back of a bookstore to look at porn magazines and this gorgeous blond curly hair blue eyes perfectly tan white guy was there flipping through mags. We made eye contact and he asked if I wanted to see his dick. Of course I almost gagged with excitement, but he showed me his nude photo shots in gay rags instead. He was so proud and I was… Read more »
I can’t believe no one has mentioned any heartthrobs from the 90’s! For me, I think my first realization was Jonathan Taylor Thomas….I just remember wanting so badly to see him shirtless and it took a while before that happened! Another one along that same time was Devon Sawa in Casper. Everytime I hear that song ‘Remember Me This Way’, I get chills remembering just how beautiful he was in that moment. I guess I started early with my twink attraction looking back on this.
My first movie crush would have been Robert Redford in “The Way We Were.” His hairy chest was awesome. My first TV crush would have been Robert Conrad in The Wild Wild West. These two men gave me a hairy chest fetish that I have to this day.
Okay, no laughing, no snide comments. I absolutely adored and fell in love with Barry Manilow. He and I are close in height. I had no idea he was gay, but I knew I wanted to get naked in bed with him. I actually got the opportunity to meet him, back stage in Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, NY in 1985. I thought I was going to die on the spot.
Pernell Roberts in his role as Adam Cartwright on Bonanza! I must have been 5 or 6 years old, but his dark curly hair, his dark eyes and that chest hair showing at the top of his shirt made him the most handsome person I had ever seen. And while my male schoolmates wanted to be a cowboy like him and the other men on Bonanza, I wanted to marry Adam Cartwright! lol
Must have been Entourage for me. Adrian Grenier and Jeremy Pevin. Ricky Martin when I learned he was into feet and golden showers. Am not a Trumpster, but think Donald Trump Jr could be a dirty rough fuck.
Julian Sands definitely!
Not an actor, but Hugh Hefner did, when he had a spread on Witchcraft in Playboy, and there was a photo of a naked man next to a naked woman, and it was obvious that the man was more interesting to me. Of course, I had no idea back then that Hugh was himself bisexual. The first really out there movie I saw was Die Consequenz, followed by To Forget Venice. Gay movies were just becoming a genre then.
Burt Mustin