‘Council Of Dads’ Actor J. August Richards Comes Out As Gay: I Could Not Portray A Gay Man Honestly Without Letting You All Know That I’m A Gay Man Myself

J. August Richards

‘Council Of Dads’ Actor J. August Richards Comes Out As Gay: I Could Not Portray A Gay Man Honestly Without Letting You All Know That I’m A Gay Man Myself

Actor J. August Richards has been gracing screens – both big and small – for many years with appearances on everything from “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.s” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to Good Burger. But perhaps his role as Dr. Oliver Post on NBC’s “Council of Dads” has been one of the more profound roles of his career. Why? Because it looked like his character’s sexuality is what inspired him to open up about his own. J. August Richards recently came out as gay, publicly, for the first time.

He was initially asked about his character during an Instagram Live interview with his “Council of Dads” co-star, Sarah Wayne Callies. She asked,

“One of the things that is so fascinating about Oliver is we’ve never had anybody like him on network television. He’s a Black, gay professional married to another man who is also a Black, gay professional. Do you feel…pressure or responsibility or something additional because of how unique Oliver is in television-land?”

He, then, revealed his real-life connection to Dr. Oliver Post:

“Absolutely. If I think about why I even got involved in this industry, it was really to combat oppression. Also, I knew how I was affected by the people of color I saw on television or that I didn’t see on television. So this being a married gay man with a family, I realized that on television I don’t take anything I do lightly. You have an opportunity to put an image into millions of homes and I wanted that image to be honest and I wanted it to be correct. So honestly, it required me to show up fully in a way that I don’t always when I’m working…I knew that I could not portray this gay man honestly without letting you all know that I am a gay man myself.”

Later, he shared an Instagram photo rocking a rainbow-printed shirt with this heartfelt caption:

“Everyone said it would be but nothing could have prepared me. Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. “Thank you” feel like cheap words to describe the depths of the gratitude I feel for your support and the crushing avalanche of LOVE I felt aimed at me yesterday. Who knew that something I once thought of as terrifying had within it something so beautiful… For every comment, like, emoji, repost, phone call, text message, everything. I felt it ALL… Thank you!!! #PRIDE #LGBTQ #BlackLGBTQ #ComingOut #SelfLove #SelfAcceptance”

What are your thoughts on J. August Richard’s announcement? Comment and let us know!

Written by Miata Shanay