Although in the 1990's Ellen was the first sitcom star to come out on national TV, in the late 1970's and early 1980's, a comedian played television's first openly gay character on a wacky comedy series. Which comedian, which comedy series?

Long before Ellen DeGeneres's historic "Puppy Episode" in 1997, the satirical sitcom "Soap" introduced audiences to a character that pushed the boundaries of network (Review) television. From 1977 to 1981, a young Billy Crystal played Jodie Dallas, who is widely credited as being American primetime's first recurring openly gay character. The show was a parody of daytime dramas, filled with absurd plotlines involving amnesia, alien abduction, and murder, and Jodie's character was central to the chaotic ensemble.

The role was groundbreaking and highly controversial for its time. Before the series even aired, religious and conservative groups organized protests based on its mature themes, with Jodie's character being a primary focus of their objections. Despite the pressure, the show's creators presented Jodie not as a caricature, but as a complex man navigating relationships, contemplating gender confirmation surgery, and eventually becoming a single father.

While Ellen's coming out was a landmark cultural event where both the actress and her character came out simultaneously, Billy Crystal's portrayal of Jodie Dallas was a crucial first step. It introduced a gay lead character into American living rooms nearly two decades earlier, paving the way for more nuanced and authentic LGBTQ+ representation in the years to come.