Ivan Leung: “As we have more and more queer representation and exposure in the media the idea of an actor’s sexuality hindering acting opportunities will be outdated and a thing in the past.”
BY MARK ARIEL | PHOTO BY JAKE CHOI PHOTOGRAPHY
Actor Ivan Leung will appear in the upcoming George Clooney directed film “The Tender Bar,” starring alongside Ben Affleck. The film is set to be released on December 17 by Amazon Studios.
The movie which also features Lily Rabe, Christopher Lloyd and Max Martini, amongst others, follows the story of a young boy who bonds with his uncle and patrons at a bar while seeking an emotional replacement for his estranged father.
Leung, a gay man, says that it took him a while “to become more accepting of my sexuality.”
“Thankfully I made a few friends that provided a healthy support system and gave me the chance be my authentic self,” reveals Leung in an interview with THE FIGHT.
“One of my struggles I used to always have was… ‘If I come out, would I only be limited to gay roles?’ But the amazing thing about our current world is that it is changing really fast,” says Leung.
“I think as we have more and more queer representation and exposure in the media the idea of an actor’s sexuality hindering acting opportunities will be outdated and a thing in the past.”
The experience working on “The Tender Bar” was “one of my biggest career highlights,” reveals Leung.
“I got to work and watch amazing actors I always looked up to. With the added benefit that everyone was genuine and kind on set.”
When asked what advice he would give to other queer actors starting out in their careers, Leung says: “Be authentically yourself, no one could do a better job at being you than you. It is an often quoted phrase but it’s so true and if it doesn’t resonate with you now..it definitely will later on if you keep at it.”
