History is Queer: Michael Barrymore
History is Queer is a series of entries highlighting LGBTQ individuals in the contemporary world and throughout history.
Who: Michael Barrymore
When: 1952-present
Where: Britain
The opinions expressed here are those of the blogger, and do not represent the views of The Cube or Southern Tier AIDS Program.
Why you should care:
Michael Barrymore is a famous (or infamous) British comedian, singer, actor, game show host, and reality television show contestant.
Born Michael Kieron Parker in 1952, Barrymore’s life was not idyllic; his father was a heavy drinker who left the family in the mid-1960’s. The youngest of three children, Barrymore got his start on London’s West End, a famous theatre district. He also worked as an entertainer in holiday camps. His break came in 1979, when he was discovered on the televised talent show New Faces. This turned into a regular gig as the opening act for noted comedian Larry Grayson.
As he became more and more popular, Barrymore hosted the shows The Michael Barrymore Show, Barrymore, Kids Say The Funniest Things, Strike it Lucky, Animals Say The Funniest Things, My Kind of People, and My Kind of Music. Having met the dancer Cheryl St. Claire in 1974, the pair married in 1976.
As a result of his work and fame, Barrymore was very highly paid and was voted the UK’s favorite (favourite?) TV star numerous times. His alcohol use also increased, turning into troublesome alcohol abuse. Barrymore came out suddenly and explosively when he took the stage at a notable gay bar on London’s East End, the White Swan, in 1995. Drunkenly, he sang, “Start spreading the news-I’m extra gay today.” Also that year, he outed himself once more, this time during a live radio broadcast of the National Television Awards after-party, saying he “no longer wanted to live a lie.”
Divorcing his wife in 1997, Barrymore admitted his alcoholism in 2002. The previous year, a partygoer at Barrymore’s dwelling was found dead in a swimming pool. The man, a thirty-one year old named Stuart Lubbock, had grave anal injuries which some felt were consistent with sexual assault. Other partygoers, including Barrymore’s ex-wife, claimed that the comedian had been forcing cocaine onto Lubbock’s gums.
Following several lengthy and damaging investigations, including at least one arrest, Barrymore successfully fought the charges. However, terrible damage was done. His television series were canceled, his contracts terminated, and the only roles he filled were in police blotters and tabloid articles. Much like the American Fatty Arbuckle, another comedian brought low by sexual scandal, Barrymore found himself ruined.
Living in exile in New Zealand and Australia, which are kind of like the younger, less-famous cousins of the UK, Barrymore staged a series of one-man shows and also appeared in the musical Chicago in New Zealand. In 2005 and 2006, he accepted an offer of 150,000 pounds to appear on Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished second.
In 2007, Barrymore ended a decade-long relationship with his partner Shaun White, and in 2010, announced he had fallen in love with a woman. In the summer of 2011, he made an appearance at the North Pier Theatre in Blackpool.
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The opinions expressed here are those of the blogger, and do not represent the views of The Cube or Southern Tier AIDS Program.
