Christopher Plummer addresses sexuality debate

Christopher Plummer insists all actors “gay and straight” do a good job.

The 82-year-old star picked up the best supporting actor trophy at last night’s 84th Annual Academy Awards. He won for his role in Beginners, in which he portrays a man who comes out towards the end of his life.

The star was quizzed on whether he thinks people portraying homosexuals tend to triumph at the Oscars.
“The sexual differences cancel each other out,” he insisted to E! Online.

“We all do a great job, gay and straight. All actors do our best.”

Several other men have triumphed at the prestigious ceremony after portraying gay characters.

Tom Hanks won a prize for his role in Philadelphia and Sean Penn triumphed for Milk, in which he portrayed gay activist Harvey Milk.

Meanwhile, Octavia Spencer won the best supporting actress prize for The Help, although her co-star Viola Davis went home empty handed. She had been nominated in the best actress category, which saw Meryl Streep triumph.
Viola has called the role of Aibileen Clark a “no brainer”. The movie is set during the civil rights movement in America in the 60s and is about a white woman who starts writing a book about the experiences of African American maids.

Viola wishes there were more parts like it available to her.

“Do you know the black equivalent of a Meryl Streep? Or a Julia Roberts or a Nicole Kidman?” she is told British newspaper The Independent.

“The only category is for a strong authoritative hoochie mama. If you exude anything else, you don't exist. There is no character for you.”