Stephen Amell is a Canadian actor and professional wrestler best known for playing the lead role in the superhero series “Arrow”. He was born on May 8, 1981, in Toronto, Ontario, and is first cousin to fellow actor Robbie Amell. Four years after graduating from St. Andrew’s College, Amell decided to pursue acting full-time.
Amell made his acting debut by appearing in two episodes of the drama series “Queer As Folk”, which centered around the lives of five gay men. He also played the role of Adam in the first season of “Dante’s Cove”, another LGBTQ-oriented show. In the next couple of years, the budding actor was cast in other popular shows such as “The Vampire Diaries” and HBO’s “Hung” where he portrayed a busboy prostitute. Amell was also featured in “New Girl” with Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield.
In early 2012, Amell held his big break as he landed the lead role of Oliver Queen in the DC Comics series “Arrow”. His character became part of the growing “Arrowverse” which included characters from “The Flash”, “Supergirl”, and “Legends of Tomorrow”. Amell also played the role of another comic book character, Casey Jones, the vigilante in the 2016 film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows”. The “Arrow” series was released in 2012 and concluded its eight-year run with a final season in 2020.
Due to his good looks, amazing acting chops, and magnetic charisma, it’s hard not to be a little curious about the Arrow superstar. Fans are eager to know more about the superhero actor, including details about his relationships and sexuality. Considering the actor’s choices early in his career, viewers can’t help but ask: is Stephen Amell gay? Read on below to find out.
VOTE: What is Stephen Amell’s Sexuality?
Stephen Amell’s Relationships
Although Stephen Amell is married to Cassandra Jean, it’s not his first trip down the aisle. In fact, the Canadian actor was first married to voice actress Carolyn Lawrence, best known for lending her voice to the iconic Sandy Cheeks from “Spongebob Squarepants”. Fans seem to agree that it was an odd pairing, especially when looking at the age gap. Amell and Lawrence married in 2007 but separated in 2010.
It wasn’t long until Amell found love again. In 2011, the Arrow actor met his current wife, Cassandra Jean, shortly after his divorce from Lawrence. The couple quietly tied the knot in a private ceremony the following year and held a second wedding in 2013. A few months after their second nuptials, the duo announced that they were expecting their first child.
Amell and Jean have two children together, Maverick and Bowen, born in 2013 and 2022 respectively.
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At this point, Amell and Jean had been together for more than ten years, and in Hollywood, that is an extremely long time. However, their relationship is not without its ups and downs. Throughout the years, the couple have been involved in some public mishaps.
For one thing, people can’t seem to accept the sincerity of the duo’s marriage. Many commentators have described their marriage as “fake” and “loveless,” prompting the actor to retort back. Other people have also questioned Amell’s sexuality, citing his roles in LGBTQ shows in the past. Amell has yet to comment on these speculations.
In 2021, reports surfaced of a drunken altercation between Amell and Jean that resulted in the former being removed from the flight. However, the actor clarified the situation in a series of tweets. According to Amell, the pair got into an argument and he was asked to leave the flight. He insisted that he left voluntarily and went on the next flight without any issues. The actor also added that his “emotions got the better of him” and didn’t comment on the matter any further.
Despite the negative press, Amell and Jean are still together.
Arrow Co-Star Comes Out
Although the actor has never commented on his own sexuality, Amell did show public support when his Arrow co-star Colton Haynes came out as gay. While on a promotional tour for a film in 2016, the actor told Entertainment Weekly that he was “so happy” for his friend.
I’m so happy for Colton. A fan three or four months ago at a Comic-Con convention basically tried to bait me into outing him. I got in touch with [Colton] and was like, ‘Hey, man, this happened [and] I didn’t know what to say. I simply deflected and we moved on.’… He emailed me back and said, ‘You know, I really appreciate that and I’ve recently made some decisions over the past few months and I’m excited about what’s in the future.’ I’m excited for him, too.”
Stephen Amell to Entertainment Weekly, 2016
In the same interview, Amell shared that he saw Haynes’ struggle with anxiety and pinpointed it as one of the main reasons why his co-star left the show. He also added how happy he was when his friend decided to come back to the series for an episode and described the experience as working with a “different version of Colton.” Needless to say, the Arrow star is definitely supportive of the LGBTQ community.
Is Stephen Amell Gay?
No, Stephen Amell is not gay. He has been married twice, the first time to a fellow Canadian actress, and the second time to his current wife, Cassandra Jean. He has two children together with the latter. Based on these facts, it’s safe to assume that Amell is straight. However, he is supportive of the LGBTQ movement and has shown support for his co-star Colton Haynes.