Robert Joel
Robert Joel McLane (August 4, 1944 in Macon, Georgia – September 30, 1992 in Riverside, California) was an American actor who is known for having starred in the early openly gay film A Very Natural Thing in 1974.
Early life[edit]
He was born Robert Joel McLane, and was sometimes credited under the name Robert McLane. He was born in 1944 in Macon, Georgia.[1] and grew up on a farm in Wagener, South Carolina. He graduated from Furman University in 1965.[2][1]
Acting career[edit]
Joel had various roles in theater. He was debuted on Broadway in 1969 as "He Who Hears Thunder" in Arthur Kopit's Indians in 1969. A year later, he had a leading role in the NET Playhouse television drama They Have Taken Over that was an adaptation of the novel by Marya Mannes. He had a minor role in the Alan Arkin-directed Little Murders (1971).
He starred in Blue Summer (1973) with Bo White and again with White in A Very Natural Thing (1974) under the name Robert Joel.[1] Joel played the lead, David, a gay ex-monk, who finds love in New York City. The film has been viewed as being the first film to show gay love.[3] His other co-stars were Curt Gareth, Jay Pierce, and Vito Russo, who went on to write The Celluloid Closet. Joel also appeared in Russ Meyer's Up! (1976),[4][5] Barbara (1970), and a 1971 PBS television drama, They.
Playwright[edit]
He wrote one-act plays, one of which, Triptych, was presented in 1990 at the Glenn Wallichs Theater at the University of the Redlands, and was directed by Kent Paul.[6][7]
Later life and death[edit]
He moved to Riverside where he wrote plays and taught. He worked for the AIDS Project, coordinating the work of volunteer therapists who worked with persons with AIDS and their families.[6][8] He died in 1992 of AIDS.[1] A panel honoring him appears on the AIDS memorial quilt.[1]
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Radel, Nick (September 2021). "Robert McLane's Trip to A Very Natural Thing". The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide. 28 (5): 47–48.
- ^ "University Holds Awards Day". Furman Paladin. 50 (21). May 20, 1965. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- ^ Koresky, Michael (June 6, 2018). "Queer & Now & Then: 1974". Film Comment.
- ^ "A 'Natural' Star does Meyer's Thing". The Advocate: 38. March 10, 1976.
- ^ Cones, John W. (2012). Patterns of Bias in Hollywood Movies. Algora. p. 42. ISBN 9780875869582. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Crestline Playwright and New York Director Team Up to Bring 'Triptch - Ducks, Rattlesnake and Roses'". Los Angeles Times. February 10, 1990. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ Sheeran, Owen (February 4, 1990). "Trip Through the Triptych". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ "Should Actors Take an AIDS Test Before Filming a Kiss?". Jet Magazine: 60. September 9, 1985.
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