William geer gay

On-screen, Ellen Corby and Will Geer played Grandma and Grandpa Walton, but both were actually gay, with Ellen Corby gay in real life, protecting their careers. "The Waltons" was a popular show in the years that it aired, but one of the stars, Will Geer, made headlines as a married man and a father of three who also had an affair with a man. Will Geer (born William Aughe Ghere; March 9, – April 22, ) was an American actor, musician, and social activist who was active in labor organizing and communist movements in New York City and Southern California in the s and s.

[2][3] In California, he befriended rising singer Woody Guthrie. Geer and Ware had three children, Kate Geer, Thad Geer and actress Ellen Geer. Ware also had a daughter, actress Melora Marshall, from a previous marriage. Born March 9, , William Aughe (Ghere) Geer, Died April 22, Finally, my answer is yes, Geer was the lover of gay activist Harry Hay.

From to , Will Geer was known as the beloved grandpa on the wholesome family TV series The Waltons, but off screen, he lived a very different life. The actor, who played Zeb Walton. Geer opted to marry in after being both a Party activist and actively gay for at least four years. He began his acting career touring in tent shows and on riverboats.

Where is actor will geer buried

Ellen credits her father for helping her pursue a career in acting. However, they were gay in real life and were involved in homosexual relationships.

Geer was also the lover of homosexual activist Harry Hay. Screenwriter Ellen Corby pictured on September 16, He visited often and attended the local Fourth of July fireworks celebrations, sometimes wearing a black top hat or straw hat and always his trademark denim overalls with only one suspender hooked. Sadly, he tragically died on April 22, Meanwhile, she lived a similar life to her long-time co-star Geer, "Will Geer, who got blacklisted during the anti-communist witch hunts, had a male lover.

Another co-star Richard Thomas echoed a feeling of much admiration for Geer's "larger-than-life personality" in his interview. Geer died at age 76 from respiratory failure, but to this day, his influence is widely recognized both in the entertainment and social setting. Despite his history, Geer is best known for his role on "The Waltons.

Here are the details about Geer and Corby's relationship. He combined his acting and botanical careers at the Theatricum, by making sure that every plant mentioned in Shakespeare was grown there. What is a fact is that Geer was honest about his sexuality with his wife, whom he eventually divorced in after sixteen years of marriage. It remains unclear whether his marriage to Ware signaled an end to his same-sex sexual activity or if the musician married because he believed the Communist Party strictly prohibited homosexuals from joining.

Geer was heavily influenced by his grandfather, who taught him the botanical names of the plants in his native Indiana. Musician and social activist Will Geer pictured circa That did not deter Hay from forming an underground Mattachine Society , which ended up having members on board. While at Chicago, he also became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After meeting Will Geer, the man who portrayed grandpa in "The Waltons," the duo became lovers even though Geer was a public figure with a wife and three children.

Geer's daughter Ellen made two appearances on "The Waltons" during and after her father's time on the show. In addition, Geer made sure his kids were well-skilled in the art of acting. At first, no one wanted to join him in forming a political organization for homosexuals. But he eventually succumbed to the allure of acting. Although they eventually divorced they remained close. How many people do that on a movie set?

Source: Wikimedia Commons. Unfortunately, it was not like that in the days of Will Geer, who had to have a secret romance. Hay started a political party meant for gays, but none were willing to join him as they feared the social consequences of identifying with such a doomed cause that only guaranteed mockery and shame at the time. Geer's character was mourned onscreen during the first episode of the —79 season.