Hollywood actor and AIDS activist Michael Kearns, the first openly HIV-positive star in Hollywood, has died aged 76, as tributes pour in from the LGBTQ+ community
Hollywood actor Michael Kearns has died aged 76. The late actor helped challenge stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS after publicly revealing his diagnosis in 1991. The stage and screen star died on October 5, according to journalist Karen Ocamb, who described herself as a friend of Kearns and announced the news in the Los Angeles Blade.
Filmmaker Roland Palencia also confirmed his death, revealing that Kearns had experienced health difficulties in the months leading up to his passing.
Palencia said the actor had been “in and out of emergency rooms over five times within a three-month period”. However, he did not specify the nature of the health problems, and Kearns’ cause of death has not been made public.
Paying tribute to the actor, Ocamb described the impact he had made on the LGBTQ+ community and those involved in AIDS activism.
“Today, a stunned gay theatre and AIDS activism world is mourning the loss of the ubiquitous and creative artist who helped so many, literally touched so many, and probably died not knowing how beloved he really was,” she wrote.
Born on January 8, 1950, Kearns graduated from Chicago’s Goodman School of Drama in 1972 before beginning a career that spanned theatre, film and television.
He appeared in the thriller Body Double and the Emmy-winning television film And the Band Played On, which explored the AIDS crisis, and had a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210.
However, his influence extended far beyond his acting work. Kearns became the first openly HIV-positive actor in Hollywood after publicly disclosing his diagnosis in 1991, at a time when the disease was surrounded by widespread fear and discrimination. He had also portrayed an HIV-positive character in the television series Life Goes On.
Explaining why he had chosen to speak openly about his diagnosis, Kearns said: “I’m doing this for all people with HIV. HIV is nothing to be ashamed of. For me to remain silent indicates shame or fear on some level.”
Alongside his work in entertainment, Kearns was committed to campaigning for greater understanding and support for people affected by HIV and AIDS. He co-founded Artists Confronting AIDS and served as a commissioner for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Kearns came out as gay in the mid-1970s and married Philip Juwig in 1992. Juwig sadly died later that same year. Kearns went on to adopt a daughter, Tia Katherine, several years later.
The actor had been due to attend the Circa: Queer Histories Festival on October 11, just days after his death. A post on the theatre’s Facebook page paid tribute to his lasting contributions to the arts and activism.
“We share the community’s sorrow in this loss and celebrate the incredible impact he has had on our mission and the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ Rights movements. Thank you, Michael, for all you gave this world,” the post read.
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