Disney's Rich Ross: Hollywood's first openly gay studio chairman

  Disney has long been the most gay friendly studio in Hollywood, having had a couple of gay production chiefs over the years, most recently Nina Jacobson, now an independent producer after being forced out in a studio purge several years ago. The studio's theme parks have allowed unofficial Gay Day celebrations for years, prompting a host of venemous attacks from various Christian right anti-gay zealots.

But Disney now has a really big first -- Rich Ross, Hollywood's first openly gay studio chief. Ross, who had been head of the Disney Channel, hasn't been giving interviews since he was named studio chief Monday. So I started reading old Ross interviews, eager to discover what his creative tastes were like, figuring it might give me insight into the kind of movies he'd want to make. That led me to a story from this year by one of my colleagues, Dawn Chmielewski, who did an in-depth profile of Ross and his tenure at Disney TV.

I found this: "The 47-year-old Ross and his partner of more than 20 years, Adam Sanderson, live in the Hollywood Hills and have no children of their own. However, he maintains a close relationship with the 14- and 10-year-old daughters of his former roommate and best friend from Fordham Law, who serve as an informal focus group." After a little more hunting, I found that the Advocate has just posted a small story, titled: "Disney Goes Gay with New Top Exec."

Still, judging from a quick canvas I made of gay filmmakers and executives, the news about Ross was something of a revelation, even in the gay community. That may be because people in the film world don't always keep track of TV executives, especially ones making children's programming. One filmmaker was aware that Ross was gay, but others I spoke to knew little about his professional life, much less his private life. As one executive put it: "Every day showbiz offers a new surprise."

But is it a good surprise? "Absolutely," says producer Howard Rosenman, who's not only openly gay but played the role of David Goodstein, an early owner of the Advocate, in last year's Oscar-nominated film "Milk."

"It's not just the first time ever, but it's the greatest thing ever," he told me jubilantly. "After all these years, what finally matters is -- show me the money! It doesn't matter what you do with your [penis], just what you do with your job. It's a new era in Hollywood. Rich Ross will only be judged by how well he makes the product and and how commercial it is, not who he is in his private life. He's obviously already been a big success at the Disney Channel, so he clearly knows what he's doing." 

 Disney hasn't exactly been playing up that Ross is gay. But there are two ways of interpreting that. It's possible that Disney is hoping no one makes a fuss or that none of the business reporters who will eventually interview Ross will make his personal life an issue. But it's also possible that after all these years, the sexual orientation of a major entertainment executive isn't big news anymore. That alone would be a huge step forward, especially since previous generations of studio executives have been forced to remain in the closet, or at least believed it prudent, fearing a public outcry.

But I'll let Rosenman have the last word on this. "You know what I really think?" he said. "It's about time!" 

Above: Ross, earlier this year  Credit: Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[bob]

Do I really care that the man is a homosexual?? No. Why do you consider it "news" discussing a person's sexual orientation? It's inappropriate.

[L Davis]

Walt would roll over in his grave!

[dascha]

I agree, inappropriate discussion. More appropriate is whether those are still doing, dealing drugs. Wouldn't you agree, Rich, Howard et al?

[K Ortega]

Have no problem that this dude is gay, and hardly find this a news story. What I do have a problem with is that he proudly takes credit for Disney successes that he had not much to do with, like 'discovering' the Jonas Bros (please - they already had airplay and a major label deal) and with High School Musical, he feels HE has made the movie-musical genre popular with young kids. Seriously?

[Go Disney!]

This is great news! There are lots of great gay people in all walks of life and they should not be forced to hide in the closet. They mention other executives families "he has a wife and two children" etc., so why can't they mention he has a husband? Oh, right. Because huge organized religious groups campaigned to make it illegal for future gay couples to marry and have the same rights as non-gay couples. It is time to overturn Proposition Hate (8). Or, we could make heterosexual marriage illegal, too.

[Ron Parker]

It really shouldn't matter, so sad that it does to some folks. But someone needs to tell Howard Rosenman (quoted in the article) that he needs to edit his comments better for the MSM, he's not talking to the Advocate.

[Jailen]

I couldn't be happier for Rich. It's about time a gay person is given the top spot.

[peter]

Yes good to see that at last something is doing for the gay people. They also have the right to live their life the way other people live their life. Studio is definitely a good choice by Rich Ross.

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[Mike]

"Christian right anti-gay zealots???"

How about just reporting the news in a factual, neutral way and let us make up our minds about whether particular groups are zealots? I don't need you to weigh in with your personal, moral judgments. That is sloppy reporting.

[JT]

I wonder if there was a discussion involving the wife of the former disney exec and what kind of relationship he had with his own children. Would it be news if this guy was straight? Of course, writing an article in the latimes and then saying that there's no fuss over it seems to be a self-defeating idea.