Aussie Actor Harry Cook “I’m Gay”

UK-born Aussie actor Harry Cook has taken to his YouTube account this week to publicly announce to his fan base that he is gay.

Cook is best known for his role along side Geena Davis’s in Australian drama Accidents Happen as well as other smaller film and theatre roles, both here and in the UK.

“Life’s too short to be anything but yourself,” he said.

The hesitant Cook admitted his fear of coming out, a fear of a back-lash, a fear that no one really cared and a fear that producers and directors could believe a gay man couldn’t play a straight character.

For Cook, the realisation that the idea of not being able to play a gay man was ridiculous because as an actor, it was his job is to act.

In a November radio interview with Sydney-based radio station 99.7FM, Cook dodged the gay/straight question:

“You know what, I was actually talking with friends the other day,” he said.

“My personal belief is, is that I am quite happy to talk about equal rights, and same sex marriage and how strongly I believe in a all that, and I personally believe that you fall in love with who you fall in love with, you know what I mean… you fall for who ever you fall for, I don’t think it is sort of based on small mindedness with people saying are you straight or are you gay … I find both girls and guys attractive, I am an open book.”

When The Star Observer spoke with  Cook about avoiding the question in the interview, he responded by saying: “Yeah that question kind of threw me, and instantly after I hung up [after the interview] I kind of felt crap about my response. I didn’t completely lie, but I wasn’t as honest as I’d like to have been.”

The Star Observer also asked Cook if Tom Daley’s coming out video was any influence on him.

“I’d been thinking about doing it for months. (Total) coincidence. But props to Tom for doing it too,” he said.

The relief for Cook was now knowing that he would “not have to put up a mask every time I’d bump into some one, do an interview, go to an event … or do a radio thing”.

Cook further went on to say that:” “There is nothing more painful than having to lie… because that is what it is.”

In his video he talks about being “madly in love”. While a boyfriend was not mentioned, Cook was asked if his partner had any influence on the coming out video.

“We chatted about it. He’s been such an incredible support … It’s amazing,” he said.

And in regards to his family, he said: “Me and my family are really close, they’ve always been so supportive of me and I love them to bits.”

Cook ended his video followed by thanking those who watched.

Watch Harry’s coming out video below:

Cook is set to star in an upcoming Australian movie Drown, which tells the story of homophobia on Sydney’s beaches inside the surf lifesaving community. He plays a straight character. Still in production, the movie is set to be released next year.