Out actor Jim J. Bullock has had a long history being in the limelight. Starting with the '80s sitcom Too Close for Comfort, he quickly gained national attention as the neighbor Monroe. He went on to become a regular for Hollywood Squares and on ALF as Neal Tanner.
He later voiced Queer Duck on Showtime, and also appeared in the films Spaceballs and Kissing Jessica Stein.
Bullock performed on a national tour of Hairspray in the past and now returns to the road in another Broadway show. Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, who is influenced by a drag queen named Lola to follow his dreams. Bullock plays George in the current touring production.
Windy City Times: Hi, Jim. So you are originally from Texas and a Southern Baptist?
JB: Yes. It is a part of my fabric.
WCT: How was coming out of the closet?
JB: Oh, honey. I wasn't out when I was in Texas. I was confused. I am still confused. I live in a state of confusion! [Laughs]
I left Texas to move to L.A. when I was 20 years old. I knew there were desires but I was hoping it was a phase. I didn't want to go to hell. At the time there was no one to relate to.
Once I got out to L.A., I realized it was not a passing fad. I was terrified to come out when Too Close for Comfort happened. I came out to my parents in my mid-thirties. My friends knew when I was in my twenties.
WCT: I wanted to be Monroe as a young gay boy even though he wasn't out.
JB: I completely understand and I related to people on TV, too, like Paul Lynde, Charles Nelson Reilly and Dr. Zachary Smith from Lost in Space! They weren't out or talking about it, so it was the same thing as you. There's that connection and something about that person. You see yourself in them.
WCT: It must have been rewarding to be on Hollywood Squares if you were a fan of Paul Lynde.
JB: It was such a fun time. I was an '80s version of Paul Lynde.
WCT: How was the Hairspray experience for you?
JB: Fantastic. It was the first and only show on Broadway for me. Hairspray was a dream come true. I had given up hopes of a Broadway show happening, then it came along. I turned 50 that year. It was a great show and meant a lot to me.
WCT: How were you cast in Kinky Boots?
JB: My agent submitted me. I went and auditioned in LA. I had a great audition. I am not very good at auditions, but every once in a while the wires will touch and there will be a current. Other than that I am just two flapping wires. It is so sad. I have never mastered it.
I went to New York and auditioned in front of the entire creative, which was horrifying. I didn't get it. I was devastated because I was so close. A year later they contacted me and offered me the part. I was like, "Now? A year later?"
I joined the company in October of last year, so [it's been] almost a year now. I am so grateful to be working. I love the show. It is great to be working as an actor in a show I believe in, as opposed to Annie Get Your Gun.
Not only do I get a paycheck but, hopefully, I am a part of changing people's minds.
WCT: One person I interviewed in the past had a small role of Nicola in Kinky Boots and went on to win a Tony Award for Hedwig. So you never know what could happen.
JB: They say there are no small roles, but that is bullshit. There are small roles. George doesn't have lots of dialogue but I have tons of stage time. I think George is essential to moving the storyline along. I am really content not having a giant number. I fuck up enough as it is.
My agent tried to submit me for Hairspray Live! and that is the most horrifying thing I can possibly imagine. Being live on camera in front of the world is not my idea of a good time.
WCT: What are you doing after the Kinky Boots tour?
JB: I am signed on until June 2018, so that is a long time. I am taking it as it comes. My career has always been a crap shoot.
WCT: You have had a lengthy career. How about Queer Duck again?
JB: Queer Duck was the best. It was so much fun doing that stupid little cartoon.
WCT: Maybe you weren't aware of it at the time but talking about being HIV-positive and being out as an actor helped a lot of people.
JB: Thank you. I never set out to spearhead a movement. With Monroe, I was a character, but with Hollywood Square I quit hiding. I'm glad it did happen but it didn't happen intentionally. I have always wanted to be honest with where I am at. It is hard for me not to be honest.
I live in a time where the world is changing. We are so far from 40 years ago.
I was fortunate to be working as an actor where I could go, "Hey, I'm a big homo," and everyone thought it was okay.
Join Bullock and the gang for Kinky Boots playing now through Sept. 4 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Ticket information can be found at BroadwayInChicago.com .
