Carl Loves Billy Mumy!

My first gay crush was Billy Mumy as Will Robinson.

He was on "Lost In Space" from 1965 to 1967. Having the hots for him at that time was not, um, pedophillic, if that's the word.

It was simply my first attraction to another boy.

Back then, I would fantasize about being transported to wherever they were in the cosmos, so I could be the friend to get him away from that rascally Dr. Smith.

Just recently, I had a dream that my husbear bought me a ticket for a trip on the Jupiter II for my birthday!

I boarded the ship with the robot, then later Will and I were talking in the galley. As we talked, our facial features morphed so that we resembled each other. But our faces became elongated, so that's how I knew it was only a dream.

But Will said he had a long lost brother. And with our strong resemblance, we concluded that I was his long lost brother! As my heart fluttered (and not from too much caffeine this time), I awakened. 

When I told my husbear about my dream (hoping he would somehow make it a reality for my next birthday), he was mad that I left with the robot to board the Jupiter II. What did he think I'd do, leave the robot with him? No way!

This was my first gay crush and this was MY dream! I think my husbear is the only person I've ever told this to until today. 

I was a much younger man in my dreams. Aren't we all? Yeah well, time flies don't it?

Carl - Honesdale, Pennsylvania
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Victor Loves Alan Bates!

My first gay crush was British actor Alan Bates.

It all started with the 1966 film, "Georgy Girl," which I'd been watching on television (NBC's 'Saturday Night at the Movies') in the late 60's.

Though Bates is unrelentingly adorable and roguish throughout the movie, one sequence in particular is burned into my brain: it's when he is running after Georgy through a rainstorm, declaring his love.

And when he gets to the apartment, he begins to walk towards the camera, calling out to her while stripping off his clothes -- down to his soaking wet tightey whities!

That sight of Mr. Bates in his underwear became the central image in the fantasies of a 12-year old boy who had no idea what being "gay" even meant.

The rest, as they say, is history..."

Victor - Chicago, Illinois 
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Frank Loves Mike Henry!

My first gay crush was super hot actor Mike Henry.

He was an ex-football star who ended up playing Tarzan in three 1960’s movies.

In the early 70's, at around age 10, a friend of mine showed me a movie magazine about Tarzan films and there was a photo spread on Mike Henry.

The man was all muscles and chest hair and chiseled features.  

And I felt something tingling inside me. 

I found him very, very attractive.  

I talked my friend into giving me that magazine, which I kept for years. No one knew about my crush because homophobia was at its zenith back then.

But I never forgot about Mike Henry.

“Body by Michelangelo” was his catchphrase.

Which was a pretty good description!

Frank - New Haven, Connecticut

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Dean Loves Davy Jones!

My first gay crush was Davy Jones of The Monkees.

It was 1969 and I was about 7-years old.

The combination of his looks and their music sent me into a tizzy, and I would sit in front of the TV transfixed. 

It was because of him that I would later crush on singers like Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy. But, Davy was the first. 

I loved his eyes, his lips, his smile, his hair, his accent -- ok EVERYTHING about him!
He was so cute and seemed so sweet!



If no one was aware of my crush, they were blind. Or just thought I REALLY liked The Monkees. 

I still smile when I see a picture of him. 

 Dean - Winston-Salem, NC
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Mark Loves Kent McCord!

My first gay crush was actor Kent McCord!

I was 12 years old when I stayed up until 9pm watching "Adam-12" on WNBC in New York.

And that's when I first saw that handsome duo: 

Kent McCord as Officer Jim Reed and Martin Milner as Pete Malloy.

I was glued to the screen, and couldn't believe Kent's chiseled perfection and piercing blue eyes! 

Martin Milner was good looking too, but I never 'stained the sheets' wet dreaming about him.

It was my mission since then to move to Los Angeles, and in my fantasy, to be 'cuffed' by Officer Reed. He is so handsome and probably isn't even aware of his sex on a stick persona.

I did actually move to LA years later, but I never met Mr. McCord in the 25 years I lived in the Valley. Which is probably a good thing.

I honestly don't know if I would've thrown myself at him (even if Mrs. McCord or his 2 children were in tow), or simply drooled as I stuttered like a teenager in heat asking for an autograph!

He is STILL handsome now as a silver fox.

My fantasies have subsided, but he will always take my breath away. I own 5 seasons of "Adam-12" and will pop in a DVD at least twice a month to relive my first crush. 

Wow, a 40 year CRUSH! Who knew?

Mark - Hemet, California

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Wayne Loves Peter Tork!

My first gay crush was The Monkees' Peter Tork!

I was around 9 years old when The Monkees premiered on NBC. 

At that age I was also a big fan of music like The Beatles and Paul Revere & The Raiders.

I loved reading 16, Flip, and Tiger Beat magazines, all of them cover to cover. 

But I could never actually "see" my heroes, except in the movies.  

I remember seeing The Beatles' "Help!" in the Pascack Theatre in Westwood, NJ. All the girls in the theatre screamed the whole time!

With The Monkees, it was like I got to spend a half hour with my new "fave raves:" Davy, English and my height (LOL); Mickey, the perfect class clown; and Mike, the mature, responsible one. 

And then there was Peter. He seemed like someone I wanted to live next door, to be best friends with. 

Sometime in the summer of 1968, one of the mags printed a two-page "Body Painting" photo of Peter. There he was, no shirt, almost down to his belly.  

I grabbed my markers and started designing Peter with groovy psychedelic patterns and colors. I remember lying on our living room floor, on my stomach, drawing circles and squares around his nipples, his pecs, and felt some sort of stirring in my 11-year old loins. So I guess you could say that coloring Peter's poster induced my puberty!

Forty or so years later, I met him, and he is a super nice guy. And still cute! I didn't tell him about him being a catalyst in my becoming a man, but I certainly remembered!

Wayne - Ridgefield Park, NJ

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Chris Loves Sean Connery!

My first gay crush? Actor Sean Connery!

Unlike a lot of the entries here, my tastes tend to run to older guys, and it was certain situations on TV that I found totally titillating. 

Such as "The Rifleman" and "My Favorite Martian," where there was an older/younger male couple living together.

Or even two men against the world scenarios, like "The Wild Wild West." So I loved hotties like Chuck Connors, Bill Bixby, and Robert Conrad. 

But honestly, the man who hit the biggest nerve was Sean Connery. 

I’d always loved him in the "James Bond" films.

But when I first saw "Zardoz" (at age 13 in 1974) with a mostly-naked Sean running around and being probed? 

That got me popping wood.

To this day I still believe Sean Connery epitomizes masculinity and he will forever get my vote for the Sexiest Man Ever.

Chris, Los Angeles CA
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Doogie Loves Russ Tamblyn!

My first gay crush was actor Russ Tamblyn!

Ever a hopeful romantic in 1962, I first "fell in love" (at age six) with actor and dancer Russ Tamblyn as The Woodsman in "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm."

As a gymnastic dancer, Russ also appeared in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954), as “Tom Thumb” (1958) and as Riff in "West Side Story" (1961). 

They often dyed his beautiful ginger locks. But to this day, if I had a physical “type,” it would be a diminutive ginger with a big smile, such as I first adored in Russ. 

Athletic dancers like Russ and Gene Kelly later spurred me to petition my backwoods high-school to start a gymnastics team. Their verdict: 'Gymnastics is not a suitable activity for boys.' Thank heaven for civic theatre where I occasionally danced in the chorus. But I was forbidden formal training in dance or gymnastics.  

Back then, I often had to settle with just doing backstage work. But I eventually found a new love in writing for theatre and film.

Doogie - Ocala, Florida

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Ken Loves Sergio Franchi!

My first gay crush was singer Sergio Franchi! 

On Sunday October 14, 1962 I was 11-years old. 

And back then, Sunday night meant only one thing:

Gathering around the TV to watch "The Ed Sullivan Show." 

The number one song on the radio was "The Monster Mash." But when Ed introduced the very exotic and dashing Italian tenor, I sat up and took notice as he stole my heart singing "Core Ngrato." 


"Ungrateful Heart" ... ironic, no? 

He was simply the most handsome man I had ever seen! I decided then and there to save my pennies and travel from rural Massachusetts to Rome, where we would become great friends. And, perhaps more?

Suffice it to say, I was in love! 

Ken - Massachusetts
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Jeffrey Loves Kent McCord!

My first gay crush was actor Kent McCord!

He was special to me, because it was the earliest time I can recall staring at a man's face on television. 

As Officer Reed on "Adam-12" he was serious, clean cut, and professional.

He was a hero, a cop, and he sure looked good wearing that police uniform. 

And he was, in my opinion, unbelievably handsome. 

Even at 5 years-old, I knew I wanted to be married to him.

I loved watching "Adam-12" even though I didn't even understand what was going on most of the time. Also, my parents often sent me to bed before the show finished.

I kept my crush a secret from everyone. I was way too young to know what 'gay' meant anyway. But I did know it wasn't socially acceptable.

Jeffrey - Portsmouth, Virginia
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Larry Loves Ron Ely!

My first gay crush was Ron Ely of “Tarzan” fame. 

I have very fond memories of watching weekend afternoon reruns of "Tarzan" when I was around age 12 to 14 years old.

I believe his stint as “Tarzan” ran from ’66 through ’68.

At the time, I didn’t exactly understand why I was so drawn to him, but I sure do now. 

That handsome face, those lips, his hair.
And that very daring and teasing loin cloth! 

I vaguely remember often visualizing rescue scenarios as I was falling asleep at night, imagining him as my hunky older savior. 

This is probably why I’ve always preferred men a bit older than me.

Larry - Atlanta, Georgia

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Chazzy Loves Bluto!

My first gay crush was Bluto!
In the early 60's when I was 7-years old, I watched Popeye cartoons on TV after school.

Popeye's arch nemesis and rival for the attention of Olive Oyl was a bearded, aggressively masculine sailor named Bluto.   

Bluto had huge shoulders and curvaceous pectoral muscles that were visible right through his sailor uniform. He would try to impress Olive and intimidate Popeye by flexing his huge biceps. 

This gave Olive palpitations and would send Popeye into a jealous rage. 

The animators gave Bluto various roles like cowboy, lifeguard, lumberjack, and biker. These all made him a virile counterpoint to the wussy, spaghetti-armed Popeye. 

In one cartoon I remember vividly, he was a circus strongman dressed in a black speedo and yellow tank-top. He made his muscles dance, bent steel bars, and lifted huge barbells as everyone in the crowd watched in awe. 

When little goody-two-shoes Popeye ate his spinach and beat him to a pulp, it was a travesty my young mind couldn't comprehend! I tried to talk with my little friends about how cool Bluto was and how he deserved to win at least once in a while. 

But they were not having any of it. To them, Bluto was 'the bad guy' and that was that. 

I had to pretend that I liked Popeye better so that nobody would suspect that I was 'weird.' 

Chazzy - Connecticut
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James Loves Jay North!

My first gay crush was child actor Jay North.

Dennis the Menace (played by Jay North) was my boy crush in the early 1960's. Every Sunday night at 6:30pm his show would be on, and I never missed it.

I was 9 years old when I started watching it, and I remember this one episode were Dennis was sick in bed.


Dennis had to have his chest rubbed down with vapor rub. When he unbuttoned his pajama top and exposed his bare chest, I got all excited. Oh, how I wanted to be the one to rub his chest and tummy with the vapor rub.

My Grandma would always say to me, "You sure do like that cute little boy, don't you?" And I would answer her, "I sure do, Grandma. I wish Dennis could come and stay with me sometime!"

Yep! I sure had a huge crush on Dennis.

James - Wisconsin
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Steve Loves Mark Lester!

My first gay crush was UK actor Mark Lester. 

The year was 1969. I was 9, and he was 10. And he was SO cute, with an adorable singing voice.

I wanted to be his friend the moment I saw him.

Sitting in a darkened movie theater watching the movie "Oliver" with my entire 5th grade class, I was smitten with him.

This was long before any awareness of sex, but I was definitely aware of my attraction to Mark.

I wanted to live with him and the Artful Dodger 
(Jack Wild) and all of Fagin's boys. I wanted to share a bunk and swap shirts with him. And pick pockets with him, just like all the other scruffy kids in the gang.


Afterwards, my friends giggled about seeing "Nancy’s boobies" in her low-cut wench dress. 
I was mystified. Nancy? Who was watching Nancy? Certainly not me!

Long before I knew I was gay, I had a fondness for blondes, and Mark Lester was my first.

Steve - Austin, Texas
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Coline Loves Brigitte Bardot!

My first gay crush? The stunning Brigitte Bardot!

I loved her cascade of blond hair, her sweet face, and her beautiful mouth. She represents the women of the 1960's (an era I really love) and of freedom and youth.

She was different than the girls we see on TV or in magazines today. 

She was a natural beauty.

I think I was 14 when I saw her in the movie
"Et Dieu créa la Femme" - and I was hypnotized.

When she was dancing in the movie, I was fascinated. She was just the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I wanted to look just like her.



A few months ago at a family dinner, we were all discussing gay-marriage (which is not yet legal in France), and what they said nearly made me cry.

My own family thinks gay people aren't normal. They say it's disgusting to see two men kiss each other. So I think I will never tell them I'm bisexual.

Coline - Saint Etienne, France
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Scott Loves Dennis Cole!

My first gay crush was 70's TV actor Dennis Cole.

I had lots of crushes back then. I thought Bobby Sherman, Chad Everett, and Lyle Waggoner were awesome. I could go on and on.

But my biggest crush was on Dennis Cole.

I first saw him on the short lived TV show "Bracken's World."

And OMG!
I thought he was THE best looking man alive!

My mom bought me all the teen magazines that had his photos. I remember one feature in particular that showed him getting ready for a date, with a shirtless picture of him in the shower!

I would decoupage his photos on painted wood and stay up all night making Dennis bulletin boards.

Then he did a spread in Playgirl Magazine, and of course I had to have it! This featured another shower picture - and it showed his bare behind! I've since learned that he did a lot of beefcake and nude photography work early in his career.

When he passed away in 2009, all the childhood memories flooded back. Sure, being gay back then wasn't always easy. But there is so much of it that makes me smile. And I certainly wouldn't change anything about my growing up experiences, including my first gay crush.

Scott - Wisconsin
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Frederic Loves Johnny Crawford!

I had my first gay crush on actor Johnny Crawford.

I grew up in Iowa, and when I was around 10-years old, my crush was on his character, Mark McCain. And I loved him so much!

Whenever he cried on the "The Rifleman," I just wanted to hug him and kiss him all over.

I loved his pouty mouth, and that sexy, hurt crack in his voice.

This crush on Johnny was part of my secret life, so no one ever knew I loved him until years later when I told gay friends. It turns out, lots of other gay boys loved Mark McCain, too. But I didn't know that at the time.

Besides, back then - Mark was mine alone!

Thanks. Nice website!
Frederic - Phoenix, AZ
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Frank Loves Richard Crenna!

My very first gay crush was actor Richard Crenna.

I first saw him at age 6.
He was playing Luke McCoy on TV's "The Real McCoys."

I thought actress Kathleen Nolan (Hassie McCoy) was the luckiest person in the world, to have a husband as handsome as Luke.

Eagerly waiting for each weekly episode, I also began to notice Pat Boone on his show that aired just before.

I found only one other (boy) friend who also shared my interest in Crenna and Boone, and we spent hours each week with our (girl) friends, excitingly comparing their contrasting handsomeness.

Frank - Fall River, MA
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Cornelius Loves Robert Conrad!

My first gay crush was Robert Conrad, and the creative team behind the gayest show ever - "The Wild Wild West"

Every episode had the same formula:
a crazed super villain's plot was foiled by the studly Robert Conrad.

And also there is his 'friend' Artemis Gorden, a drag queen – oops, they called it 'master of disguise' in those days.


From the opening credits (where he punches a woman in the face, knocking her down), you knew this was a man's world. A world where a hard man would fight hard - with the camera on his skin-tight pants and perfect ass, please.

Once he lost the initial battle and was captured, the real fun began. Each week they found new ways to tie him up, usually shirtless, always tortured, while the sweat dripped down his face and chest so that the camera could end up back at his ass.

I know it sounds unbelievable, but I swear I remember one episode where an evil toymaker held him prisoner in a top secret toy bomb factory. The set included a few over-sized children's blocks in the background. There was something about that pre-Stonewall era that allowed the letters F, A, and G on the face of those blocks with no complaint – or awareness.

Cornelius - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Frank Loves Gardner McKay!

My first gay crush was actor Gardner McKay.

He played Adam Troy in TV's "Adventures in Paradise."

I had many TV crushes in the early 60's, but I thought that sailing barefooted around the South Pacific - in a Schooner with Adam Troy - would be the most wonderful thing to do.

The show was on at 9pm, which was my bedtime.

Mom and dad would sometimes fall asleep while watching TV and not notice that I was still up and quietly watching "Adventures in Paradise".

Gardner as Adam was always so independent, in-charge, smart, and so butch. Although he had many chances,
he never got the girl, at least not permanently.

I recently purchased the series on DVD and the shows are really quite boring by today's standards. I also learned via the internet that, sadly, McKay died at the age of 69 of prostate cancer.

No one knew of my crush until I became an adult, and conversation among friends turned to such topics.

Frank - Bristol, CT
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