Nathan Lane Reflects on the Impact of “The Birdcage” and the Role Robin Williams Played in His Life

Nathan Lane, the star of the 1996 comedy “The Birdcage,” recently appeared on “Sunday Today” to reflect on the film and the role it played in his life. Lane, who is gay, revealed that his co-star Robin Williams had stepped in to avoid an uncomfortable conversation when the two appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” more than a quarter of a century ago.

Lane told host Willie Geist that he had been open about his sexuality to friends and family long before “The Birdcage” hit theaters, but he was not prepared to go from table-to-table and tell everyone he was gay. He said he didn’t want to make it about his sexuality, although it was unavoidable due to the nature of the film and the character he played.

The movie, which starred Lane and Williams as a Miami gay couple whose son plans to marry the daughter of a deeply conservative politician, helped elevate Lane from a New York stage performer to a bonafide movie star. Lane said that Williams had played a key role in making sure he didn’t have to come out on the show.

The film was a smash hit, grossing over $185 million worldwide and earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It also earned Lane a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Lane’s appearance on “Sunday Today” was a reminder of the impact “The Birdcage” had on his career and his life. The film was a groundbreaking comedy that helped to normalize the LGBTQ+ community and paved the way for more LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood.