Is Nick Offerman Gay? Why The Last of Us Star’s Sexuality is a Topic of Debate?

By shubham On Jan 31, 2023

The actor’s role as Bill in HBO’s version of The Last of Us brings up the question of whether or not Nick Offerman is gay. Most of the time, an actor’s sexuality is just a part of their personal life and doesn’t need to be talked about.

But when it comes to showing people from the LGBTQ+ community, especially important characters like Bill from The Last of Us, there is a question of whether or not they are being shown in a true way. This article will tell you whether Nick Offerman is gay or not.

Is Nick Offerman Gay?

Nick Offerman is married to Megan Mullally and is not gay. However, he has been a vocal advocate for the queer community over the years, recognizing the privilege his identity affords him and using it to help those who aren’t afforded the same opportunities.

While promoting his role in Hearts Beat Loud, Nick Offerman told Logo that: “theatre, film, and television are the storytelling mediums that often represent the underrepresented. So, in my lifetime, it’s been gender, queer, and race issues—and that’s where my heart has gone.

When I read scripts, any kind of humor that is misogynistic, homophobic, or racist is a red flag.” While Nick Offerman’s character, Bill, is not gay, as society has progressed, queer characters are less likely to be offensive caricatures than they once were, and the LGBTQ+ community is much more likely to be given the opportunity to represent itself today.

It would have been nice to see someone from the LGBTQ+ community play Bill, but there are two other factors to consider. In The Last of Us, gay actor Murray Bartlett plays Bill’s partner, Frank. Furthermore, when Con O’Neill was forced to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts, Nick Offerman stepped in to play Bill in HBO’s The Last of Us.

Why Does Bill’s Story Matter in the Last of Us?

In the grand scheme of The Last of Us, Bill’s role is minor. The player in the video game passes through his town before continuing on down the road, and the character is never seen again.

Bill, on the other hand, is one of many LGBTQ+ characters in The Last of Us and The Last of Us: Part II, with those themes becoming more prominent as the story progresses (which can now be expected to be explored in The Last of Us season 2).

Bill’s presence in the narrative establishes an understanding of the world after the infection and allows Ellie to be open about her sexuality later on. While Bill was already a significant LGBTQ+ figure in The Last of Us, Nick Offerman’s portrayal of the character has the potential to be even more significant.

Bill’s partner Frank is never seen alive in the game, and only his remains are seen, in a move that comes dangerously close to “burying your gays.” With Murray Bartlett playing a very alive Frank in HBO’s The Last of Us, it allows for a better onscreen representation of Bill’s character, and Nick Offerman clearly respects that responsibility, regardless of his own sexual orientation.