Washington, Dec 2 (ANI): Rupert Everett is urging gay stars to stay ‘in the closet’ if they want to have lasting careers in Hollywood.

The 50-year-old actor, who revealed that he is gay in 1989, said that he has been relegated to supporting roles instead of lead parts ever since, reports Contactmusic.

And now Everett thinks that gay stars should keep their sexuality secret, because ‘coming out’ has the potential to end a successful film career.

He said: “It’s not that advisable to be honest. It’s not very easy. And, honestly, I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out…

“The fact is that you could not be, and still cannot be, a 25-year-old homosexual trying to make it in the British film business or the American film business or even the Italian film business. It just doesn’t work and you’re going to hit a brick wall at some point. You’re going to manage to make it roll for a certain amount of time, but at the first sign of failure they’ll cut you right off. And I’m sick of saying, ‘Yes, it’s probably my own fault.’”

“Because I’ve always tried to make it work and when it stops working somewhere, I try to make it work somewhere else. But the fact of the matter is, and I don’t care who disagrees, it doesn’t work if you’re gay,” he added.

However, Everett insists that he’s much happier than several major stars who are forced to hide their sexuality.

“I think, all in all, I’m probably much happier than they are. I may not be as rich or successful, but at least I’m vaguely free to be myself,” he said. (ANI)