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Michael Kearns, One of Hollywood’s First Openly Gay Actors, Dies at 76
He came out in the 1970s, disclosed his HIV status on NBC in 1991 and helped shape early LGBTQ and AIDS activism.
- On Monday, October 5, 2026, Michael Kearns, a pioneering openly gay actor and AIDS activist, died at age 76; filmmaker Roland Palencia confirmed the death of the performer widely credited as Hollywood's first openly gay actor.
- During the 1970s, Kearns came out as gay, and he later made television history in 1991 by publicly disclosing his HIV-positive status following the AIDS-related death of actor Brad Davis.
- Kearns founded Artists Confronting AIDS in 1984 and was renowned for directing 'Jerker,' a play about two gay men during the AIDS crisis; he also appeared in 'Body Double' and portrayed an HIV-positive character on ABC's 'Life Goes On.'
- The Celebration Theatre praised Kearns' 'incredible impact' on the LGBTQ Rights movement as colleagues mourned the artist scheduled to reprise selections from 'Jerker' this Sunday at the theatre for National Coming Out Day.
- Survived by his daughter, Tia Katherine Kearns, the writer and director was remembered by filmmaker Palencia as 'larger than life,' though Kearns had recently struggled with his health, visiting emergency rooms multiple times over three months.
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The artist was one of the first openly gay actors in Hollywood and revealed on television that he was HIV positive.
Michael Kearns, ‘Cheers’ actor and AIDS activist, dies at 76
Michael Kearns, an actor and director who became a prominent voice during the AIDS crisis after publicly announcing his HIV-positive status on national television, died Monday at age 76, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Karen Ocamb, a friend, reported his death. A specific cause was not immediately available.
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Actor, playwright and AIDS activist Michael Kearns has died at age 76
Dean Arcuri Michael Kearns broke barriers as one of Hollywood’s first openly gay performers. The actor, playwright and LGBTQ+/AIDS activist has died […] The post Actor, playwright and AIDS activist Michael Kearns has died at age 76 appeared first on QNews.
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73% Center
L 21%
C 73%
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