Pioneering gay actor Michael Kearns dies at 76

Michael Kearns, a pioneering openly gay actor and AIDS activist, passed away at the age of 76. Known for his roles in "Body Double," "Cheers," and "Beverly Hills, 90210," Kearns was a significant figure in Hollywood's LGBTQ+ community.

He publicly came out as gay in the 1970s, a brave act during a time when it could endanger an actor's career. In 1991, Kearns made headlines again when he revealed on national television that he was HIV positive, aiming to combat shame and silence surrounding the disease.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Kearns discovered his passion for acting at age 8. He honed his craft at Chicago's Goodman School of Drama before making his Broadway debut in 1974. His extensive career spanned film, television, and theater, where he notably directed the controversial play "Jerker."

Kearns was deeply affected by the AIDS crisis, which profoundly shaped his artistic identity. He channeled his pain and loss into passionate work, co-founding Artists Confronting AIDS and serving as artistic director of the Celebration Theatre. He also established QueerWise, a spoken-word collective.

Beyond his professional achievements, Kearns broke personal barriers. He married Philip Juwig in 1992, who passed away later that year. In 1995, Kearns adopted his daughter, Tia Katherine, becoming a single father at a time when such adoptions faced significant obstacles for gay, HIV-positive men.