(Photo Credits: DFree from Shutterstock)
Matt Bomer is opening up about the complexities of fame, sexuality, and privacy—especially in the age of internet gossip.
On Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast, Bomer revealed how his journey to publicly coming out as gay was prematurely influenced by gossip blogger Perez Hilton. Bomer, best known for roles in White Collar and Magic Mike, said he never hid his sexuality in his personal or professional relationships—but the media attention brought unwelcome exposure.
“It was that time when folks could kind of take over your own personal narrative before you even had a chance to,” he shared. “I remember outlets like Perez Hilton talking about my personal life before I had ever had a chance to even do it myself. And it wasn’t because I didn’t want to. I didn’t even have an opportunity to.”
During the podcast, Bomer stressed that, early in his career, major publications weren’t asking about his sexuality—so he hadn’t yet addressed it publicly. “I just didn’t have a career that warranted that,” Bomer explained. “And so it felt kind of unfair to me that that was stolen by people who did have a microphone at the time.”
Further, Bomer shared that while working on White Collar, his breakout role, he was already living a full private life with husband Simon Halls and their three children. But having that life splashed across gossip blogs felt invasive and disrespectful, especially since he never considered it a secret.
“Even when we were walking around the streets, you know, there’d be pictures of Simon and our kids,” he said. “And I didn’t want them to feel like they were some kind of shameful secret, you know, something I was sweeping under the rug so I could have a great career.”
When he publicly acknowledged his family in 2012 at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, Bomer said it just felt natural.
“I was like, ‘I’m gonna thank my family because that’s what someone would do in this circumstance,’” he said. At the time, Magic Mike was about to be released, and White Collar was still a hit—with Bomer playing a straight lead.
Despite that success, the risk of losing his career loomed. “What I had was a loving family,” he reflected. “That was my safety net. And I was like, ‘You know what? If the worst that happens is that I don’t work again and I have this beautiful family who I love and who loves me, then so be it.’ For more information about this, read here.
Matt Bomer is an American actor renowned for his versatility across television, film, and stage. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Neal Caffrey in the USA Network series White Collar (2009–2014), where he portrayed a charming con artist assisting the FBI. Bomer’s performance in HBO’s The Normal Heart (2014) earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. In recent years, he has taken on diverse roles, including Larry Trainor/Negative Man in the DC Universe series Doom Patrol (2019–2023) and Hawkins Fuller in the Showtime miniseries Fellow Travelers (2023), which explores a clandestine romance during the McCarthy era. Bomer also appeared as David Oppenheim in the biographical film Maestro (2023), directed by Bradley Cooper. Additionally, he stars in the Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern (2025), playing Jerry Frank, a good-natured flight attendant navigating life and relationships.
It’s NO ONE else’s business what two consenting adults do – only the pathetic creatures with NO lives would care ANYWAY!!!!! 🙁
unfortunately, the pathetic creatures are everywhere and they supply the pernicious media with fuel. as long as there are viewers and listeners, there will always be the media.
Right Jeff. I could care less as to who sleep with who!!! People need to focus on their own lives or get one.
What Matt described as Invasive was not particular to him; the media is invasive regardless. the media is dangerous to anyone and everyone should the media choose to dwell. what he regarded as unfair is unfair regardless of sex, race, color, orientation, gender or politician. the media is foul and what Matt exposed is a perfect example. I give him credit for clarifying it.
Damn, what a scumbag Perez Hilton is.
Perez Hilton was a real scumbag.
What must be understood, Matt, it was meant to be…based on what you did with Perez Hilton directly/indirectly for her to “betray” your trust about your sexuality. You should thank God that you’ve given “full” disclosure about yourself to see who admires/reveres/loves/hates you as an individual with a purpose for the people, both hetero and homosexual. It’s obviously a mixed blessing for some who are in the spotlight of the people on this planet. Some will love hating you, hate loving you, love you or hate you. Period. As long as your end result instills love of self, then, fuk… Read more »
Buddha & Confucius and Yahweh…too!
-THANK YOU MATT BOMER FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND BEING OPEN ABOUT BEING GAY. YOU ARE A PILLAR TO OUR COMMUNITY AND A FANTASTIC ACTOR. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU AND JONATHAN BAILEY FOR FELLOW TRAVELERS IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND THE BEST OF WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
What a wonderful actor and a pretty decent person, the two DONT always go together, He is a pillar of our community, “Fellow Travelers” was gut wrenching and had me crying like a baby!
God speed to you and your family!!!