Ok, time for a little Fine Wine reparation.
I had my first not-so terribly well-received addition to the FW list last week with the installation of Gale Harold, Brian on Queer As Folk. Brian is a definitely a character that folks love to hate... but I didn't realize how true that was! During that installation, I had intended to do a QAF double-dose with "bad" Brian being offset by someone good... but then I just ran out of time. So I figured, I'd let the dust settle a bit before getting back to the other nominee...
As you see on the left, it was not a terribly difficult decision to come to... so this week, we right last week's wrong and honor Robert Gant who plays Professor Ben Bruckner on Queer As Folk. Ben is the, often times, sickenly sweet and "good" HIV+ hubby (well at least in Canada) of Michael Novonty (played by Hal Sparks).
That said, I am not rescinding Gale Harold... I stand firm behind that decision! (firm? behind? firm behind?? Ah, the double entendres are hard to avoid! hard??).
While rumors certainly swirl around some of my other FW honorees, Gant marks the first time an openly gay man has made the list! Sorry it took so long... but it is really no better than the percentage of male celebrities that make the cover of The Advocate!
So what's the story about Gant. Well, his real name is Robert Gonzalez... and from what I read he goes by "Bobby" in real-life.
Although he joined the Actor's Guild at the age of 10 and appeared in some commercials (and as part of a Bob Hope USO Tour)... he pretty much gave up acting to received a law degree in 1993 from Georgetown University. He took a job at a Los Angeles law firm, but the firm closed in 1994 and Gant returned to acting. Ironically enough, his first credited role was on the television show Ellen (long before either Degeneres or Gant were publicly out). Small gigs followed including two roles on Melrose Place as "Room Service Waiter" and "Deputy Tom"... with his first multi-episode stint at "Trevor" on the series Caroline in the City. Before landing the QAF job, Gant was also featured in several episodes of the WB's Popular as "Principal Calvin Crupps."
He has been featured in a handful of smaller films, most recently in 2004 playing the title character in Billy's Dad Is A Fudgepacker... I kid you not! (Great, now we'll see what kind of Google hits I end up getting on this one!).
I have not been able to find any stats (height/weight) on the ruggedly handsome Gant... watching QAF I always thought he looked great (you think he works out a bit?) for an older guy... but the joke is on me, as his birthday is July 13th 1968... which makes him younger than me! Whoops!
So welcome Robert Gant/Bobby Gonzalez to the Fine Wine list... I have a hunch you will get a warmer welcome than your co-star!
Aaahhhh..... Robert Gant, An excellent addition to your Fine Wine list... and me seeing that picture while at work.... good thing I was sitting at my desk.
Posted by: Scott C | Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 07:55 AM
Madre miaaaaaaaa!! este chico es mucho mucho mucho!! aunque yo a quien quiero de verdad es a Gale harold te quiero niño
Posted by: Rocío | Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:03 AM