Gale Harold Turns 40 -- Where Would Brian Be?

There are certain gay men who use their looks and sexual prowess to get them through life. You know the type, the guy who gets laid on near-daily basis, uses sex to get ahead at work, in social situations and even to screw over friends. But how much is sex the means to this end or is it just a way for them to mask some other void in their life? We can try to analyze it as much as possible, but the best way to see how it works is to look at a real-life example, or in this case, a made-for-TV example that comes close to real life.Ok, maybe not so much.

We're talking about Brian Kinney, that sex-crazed egomaniac that so many of us lived vicariously through during his five-year run on "Queer as Folk." When the show premiered, Brian was 30. He was hot, successful and always ready to party. Interestingly, Gale Harold, who played Brian with phenomenal aplomb, was about the same age when the series premiered and he saw his own star rise as the show took off.

Gale Harold turned 40 this week and, unlike Brian, has seen a bit of a dip in his career. But that isn't stopping him from pressing forward while landing small roles on TV and starring in Broadway theater. Brian's life is immortalized at 35, but Harold continues to get older, like the rest of us. If QAF hadn't ended (lord knows it would've jumped the shark had it not), what do we think Brian would be doing as he turned 40? Do you think he would still use his looks and sex appeal to bed men and get ahead? Would his looks even be holding up?

Let us know what you think. Would Brian still be hot? Would you sleep with him? Or do you think he would be a washed up, tired troll who was past his prime?

(Images courtesy of ABC, Showtime and Getty)

Comments

[Geoffrey]

I loved this series. I think Brian was a very important key character, and had a lot of depth that hasn't really been addressed with these short blurbs. Aside from that - I think it would be very interesting to see him at 40 - as I just turned 30 myself and can see a lot of myself in Brian's facade of good looks and ego driven success, which really masked a sensitive and very caring man. That is why I will always wish for a movie version (even if not on the big screen) to tie things up in the present. Would he be with Justin? Would he still be the Brian he tried to convince everyone in the show he was? If Sex and The City and for God's sake even the lame Noah's Arc can put out big screen versions updating their fans, then Showtime at the very least owes the many Queer As Folk fans a movie on the network - if not a big screen major film.

[Markus]

I absolutely do not believe that Brian used his sex (appeal) to foster his career. He had his issues with "family values" due to the bad experiences he made as a child. I believe that forced him into this role of a sex maniac. He had a lot of problems expressing his feelings but nevertheless always did the right thing. Unlike others he did not want any acknowledgement of his good deeds. That really makes him a special person. In no way did he use his attractiveness to get ahead in life.

[PalmSpringsDanny]

When QAF started I couldn't stand Brian, which now I see translated to I loved Brian...I don't think Mr. Kinney used his sexuality to get ahead in business but he definitly used it to get some well...from the boy's...I turn 40 next year and I would love to wake up in a ranch home as Mr. and Mr. Kinny, I'd keep Justin on as the house boy of course. I do wonder if QAF did a movie like Sex in the city..would I want to see the boy's to men transformation...probably not.

[Rck Patrick]

A night with Brian? I thought he was straight! Who the fuck cares? I'd take a night with him at 40, or 30 or 50. Since QAF he's always been one of my fantasy men.

[Micky]

For sure I would sleep with him!! So many teenage fantasies revolved around that guy :) and he is still hot at 40 :)

[Neal Dillon]

WOULD I!!!!