Tommy Dorfman: Reasons to Love the Gay Star of 13 Reasons Why
Before landing the role of queer intellectual Ryan on the new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, Tommy Dorfman wasn’t looking to play gay characters. “I’ve had a lot of insecurities about being gay in this industry,” says the actor, whose part in the ensemble mystery, executive produced by Selena Gomez and adapted from Jay Asher’s 2007 YA novel, marks his first professional gig. “I only wanted straight roles — just to prove some false masculinity. But when this came I was like, I get this kid, and he needs to be seen.”
Like Ryan, the editor of a high school zine and one of 13 teens tied up in the suicide of lead character-narrator Hannah (Katherine Langford), Dorfman knows the itch of wanting to chase big dreams in a place where the outspoken thrive. “I had to get to New York,” says the 24-year-old Atlanta native. “I related to Ryan’s fear of getting stuck and was inspired by him being so vocal with his beliefs.”
Dorfman was cast last May, roughly a year after finishing college (where he studied theater), and 13 Reasons Why had nearly wrapped shooting season one when he married his husband, Peter. They wed on November 12, four days after Trump’s election. “I felt so scared for the first time in a long time about our safety,” he says. Still, portraying Ryan helped ignite Dorfman’s urge for artistic activism. “I’d love to play the first gay superhero,” he says, “or do the first big-budget gay rom-com. That doesn’t exist. It needs to.”
| by Anonymous | reply 27 | August 22, 2020 5:06 AM
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I get second hand embarassment just from reading the premise of this series. Teenage melodrama queen tries to blame her depression on everybody but herself. Gag.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | March 31, 2017 5:07 AM
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He's almost trans, non-binary shit, wears his grandmother's wedding ring with nail polish. Flush.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | March 31, 2017 5:21 AM
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Ugh, he and husband's web site featuring them buck naked.
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | March 31, 2017 5:22 AM
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His Twitter is all trans.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | March 31, 2017 5:23 AM
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The wedding website & gift registry was as awful as any breeder's. $540 Hermes beach towels & $130+ plates.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | March 31, 2017 6:04 AM
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I'll take Dylan Minnette over this queen any day!
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | March 31, 2017 6:20 AM
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I didn't know retweeting Fluff Po links is what makes one a "human rights activist"
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | March 31, 2017 6:21 AM
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I think she's tremendous....ly....
average,,,,
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | March 31, 2017 8:27 AM
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They proposed to each other simultaneously?
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | March 31, 2017 8:31 AM
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Is there an official 13 Reasons Why thread? The show is pretty darn good. Yes, it's Teenage angst, but there are some great performances in it.
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | April 3, 2017 2:09 PM
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Ah, DL, always trashing its own...
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | April 3, 2017 2:35 PM
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Who is she and why is she so fucking whiny?
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | April 3, 2017 2:40 PM
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r11, that's very true. But then Datalounge is all about pointless bitchery and not so much about meaningful praise. On the faceless, anonymous internet pretty much all of us flaunt our bad side.
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | April 3, 2017 2:49 PM
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[quote]Ah, DL, always trashing its own...
He's trashing his own by supporting the transcult.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | April 3, 2017 2:54 PM
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They're so young to be getting married. But I approve of the $750 Hermes ashtray on their registry, so I'll wish them the best.
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | April 3, 2017 3:26 PM
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R15: If he thinks he's going to bring zoot suits back singlehandedly, I don't think that's gonna happen.
| by Anonymous | reply 17 | April 3, 2017 3:27 PM
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No idea if this is true
[quote]friendly reminder that the actors alex (miles heizer) and justin (brandon flynn) from thirteen reasons why are dating in real life !!
| by Anonymous | reply 18 | April 3, 2017 3:58 PM
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It's quite scary where gay is headed. More znd more I feel that "I used to be gay.
| by Anonymous | reply 19 | April 3, 2017 4:25 PM
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r19, repeat after me: Hissssssssssss!
| by Anonymous | reply 20 | April 3, 2017 4:40 PM
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[quote]do the first big-budget gay rom-com. That doesn’t exist. It needs to.”
How is this ignorant ass going back in time to replace Tom Selleck or Kevin Kline?
| by Anonymous | reply 21 | April 3, 2017 5:03 PM
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R15 the husband looks like Cameron Dallas there.
| by Anonymous | reply 22 | April 3, 2017 7:06 PM
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I can't even imagine this guy playing a "straight" role.
| by Anonymous | reply 23 | April 3, 2017 8:02 PM
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[quote]I can't even imagine this guy playing a "straight" role.
Word. He is kidding himself if he doesn't realize that.
| by Anonymous | reply 24 | May 2, 2017 8:29 PM
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[quote]Actor Tommy Dorfman: “Everybody knew I was gay before I did”
Because it is obvious sweetie.
| by Anonymous | reply 25 | May 4, 2017 7:19 PM
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It looks like Tommy may be playing a straight character on the new Freeform Love in The Time of Corona tv show.
Tommy also now refers to themself as nonbinary along with Them/Them pronouns.
| by Anonymous | reply 27 | August 22, 2020 5:06 AM
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