John Malkovich is a widely-acclaimed American actor who has appeared in more than 70 films in Hollywood. He was born on December 9, 1953, in Christopher, Illinois to a family of writers, but the young Malkovich had a different idea. Throughout his high school years, the aspiring actor joined school productions and sang in a local gospel group. In an effort to pursue an acting career, Malkovich took up theater at the William Esper Studio.
In 1980, Malkovich moved to New York City and started auditioning for off-Broadway plays. He took part in productions like “A Streetcar Named Desire”, “Balm in Gilead”, and “True West”, with the last two earning him a couple of Obie Awards. After four years, Malkovich made his Broadway debut in “Death of a Salesman” together with Dustin Hoffman. When the play was adapted for television in 1985, he played the same role and won an Emmy Award.
Malkovich’s critical acclaim and commercial success came after he portrayed the role of Valmont in the 1988 film “Dangerous Liaisons”. Although the film was beneficial for his career, it also signified the end of his first marriage due to an on-set scandal. Despite the setback, Malkovich enjoyed steady work and appeared in numerous movies, including “Empire of the Sun”, “The Man in the Iron Mask”, and “Beowulf”.
In addition to his theater awards, Malkovich also won a British Academy Film Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. His career spanned several decades and reached many industries such as fashion. With his interesting project choices and abstinence from marriage, it’s not surprising for fans to ask: is John Malkovich gay? Read about the actor’s scandalous affair below.
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John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Dangerous Liaisons
When people talk about legendary Hollywood affairs, they usually think of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. However, one juicy affair that seems to escape everyone’s minds includes Tinseltown’s favorites, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer.
The pair first met while they were shooting the 1988 film “Dangerous Liaisons”. Malkovich portrayed the sinister and sensual character, Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont, while Pfeiffer took on the innocent role of Madame Marie de Tourvel. Their characters were written to fall in love, but eventually be each other’s downfall. Unfortunately, the fictional story turned into reality almost immediately.
While filming, Malkovich and Pfeiffer fell in love and embarked on a salacious affair. At the time, the actor was married to Glenne Headly, while his co-star was also married to Peter Horton. Although the relationship was brief, it ended both actors’ marriages. They went their separate ways and refused to comment on the matter.
The affair was very much obvious to the crew working on the set, but it wasn’t officially confirmed until director Stephen Frears spoke it into existence. In a 2003 profile with The New York Times for Malkovich, Frears shared his thoughts regarding the drama.
His marriage was breaking up, and, during the movie, he was having an affair with Michelle Pfeiffer. Dangerous Liaisons is about betrayal and lies and relationships unraveling. It was one of those times where reality and art intersect. It was overwhelming to John. Even for a man who delights in bad behavior, that was a difficult time.”
Stephen Frears to The New York Times, 2003
In 2008, almost five years later after the profile, Malkovich spoke candidly about the relationship. He told Rolling Stone in an interview that he was surprised that Pfeiffer even noticed him. The actor refused to elaborate further on the comment.
Not that she’s not memorable, God knows. But I sort of blocked it out. What I’m trying to say is when I think of the other person, I don’t think of me as involved with them. They’re in-corrupted by me. As if they were never troubled by my existence.”
John Malkovich referring to his on-set affair with Michelle Pfeiffer, Rolling Stone, 2008
Shortly after his divorce from Headly, Malkovich met Nicoletta Peyran on the set of the 1989 film “The Sheltering Sky”. The pair fell in love and have stayed together ever since. Malkovich and Peyran never married, but they share two children together, Amandine and Loewy. On the other hand, Pfeiffer remarried to writer and producer David Kelley.
John Malkovich on Sexuality and Gay Characters
With a career as lengthy as Malkovich’s, it’s almost impossible to dodge gay rumors. Since his start in the industry, the actor admitted that he had always been hounded by questions regarding his sexuality. The speculations were later fueled after Malkovich starred in the 1987 Broadway play “Burn This”, which talked about gay identities and relationships.
In 1993, Malkovich did an interview with The New York Times where he claimed that he could have made a living playing gay characters. However, the actor didn’t want to be typecasted.
I’ve had a bunch of different careers. When I did ‘Death of a Salesman’ on Broadway it would have been easy to have a career doing brooding sons. Or I could have made a career playing retarded people or gay poets, people I’ve played. Now I could play bad guys. I don’t think I’m easy to type. I don’t want to be typed.”
John Malkovich to The New York Times, 1993
It’s clear to see that Malkovich was unbothered by the gay allegations. In 2002, he launched his own fashion company, Mrs. Mudd. He then released a menswear collection where the actor himself designed the outfits. Due to his ventures, people continued to label him as gay, assuming the unfair stereotype that only gay men did fashion design.
Fortunately, the rumors never stopped Malkovich from having a successful career and marriage. The actor is currently still together with his life partner, Peyran.
Is John Malkovich Gay?
No, John Malkovich is not gay. Speculation surrounding his sexuality originated from his portrayal of gay characters and unfair assumptions from fashion design stereotypes. Malkovich was married once before his affair with Michelle Pfeiffer. After his divorce, he met Nicoletta Peyran and had two children together.