Danny Pintauro - National Enquirer 7/15/97

TV sitcom star reveals: I'm Gay

Happy at last: Danny Pintauro, 21, went through years of denial before "coming out." But it says: "I had to be honest with myself."

"Who's the Boss?" star Danny Pintauro has a revelation for Enquirer readers - he's gay!

"I want Enquirer readers to be among the first to know I've 'come out' and am proud to say I'm gay," declared Danny, who played Judith Light's son Jonathan.

The 21-year-old actor grew up on the long-running sitcom. He says Judith and Tony Danza have given him "a lot of support" since learning through the Hollywood grapevine about his sexual orientation.

But Danny had to go through years of denial before coming to the realization he's gay. He even came close to tying the knot with a girlfriend.

"I dated a lot of girls all through high school, and in college I dated a young lady for about eight month," Danny disclosed in an exclusive interview.

"We got really serious, and I started to make plans to marry her after we graduated.
"But about that time I started to get in tune with myself and I couldn't go through with the wedding.
"I had to be honest with myself. It wouldn't have been healthy to handle it any other way.
"Something kinda clicked. I thought about it and said to myself: 'This is how I feel, this is what's going on inside of me and this is what I have to do.'
"I couldn't deny it any more. It was just the right time to come out."

Danny, now a junior at Stanford University in Calif., broke the news to his parents at Christmastime a year and a half ago.

"Once we were seated I just came out with, 'Mom and Dad, I'm gay,'" said Danny, who's an only child. "They were surprised and didn't know how to react because they'd never, ever suspected anything - or if they did, they didn't say anything about it to me.
"It was kind of awkward at first, but after a moment of silence my parents were really curious - wanting to know when I had decided this.
"They also expressed concerns for my health and gave me advice on protection when I became sexually active.
"But they were able to deal with it quickly because we have such a close relationship.
"My parents are wonderful - awesome - and all that really matters is that I am still their son. Nothing changed between us. "
Danny is grateful to Judith Light> and Tony Danza for backing his decision to come out of the closet.
"Tony is like a second father to me, and he's very supportive. He has one of the biggest hearts I know.
"And Judith, who's always been supportive of gay and lesbian issues, really understood my feelings. She called and told me: 'I'm happy that you're happy. I'm glad your life is finally stable and things are good.'"

The girl he nearly married also was understanding, Danny said. "In fact, we're better friends now than before."

Added Danny: "I would encourage anybody struggling with their sexuality to go with their heart. If it's not an appropriate time, there will be one later. Never, ever try to rush into anything - do it in your own time."

-- Patricia Shipp