Charles Nelson Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly was an American actor, comedian, director, and acting teacher who was a prominent panelist on game shows including Match Game (CBS, 1973–1982), where his flamboyant wit and barely concealed queerness made him a beloved figure. He won a Tony Award for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1962). While he never formally came out during his peak years — the era did not permit it — his queerness was understood and embraced by audiences. He discussed his homosexuality more openly late in life, and the one-man stage show The Life of Reilly (2006) included frank discussion of his identity and his lifelong relationship with Patrick Hughes.