Everything about Jonathan Bailey: Gay Icon of Bridgerton

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Jonathan Bailey: A Multitalented Actor

Jonathan Bailey, known predominantly for his iconic role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s most popular Regency-inspired romance, has a career much more diverse than the show. Aged 36 now, Bailey embarked on his journey in the performing arts at the tender age of seven. His first stint was in the 1995 Royal Shakespeare Company production of A Christmas Carol at the Barbican Theatre in London. A year later, he portrayed Gavroche in Les Misérables.

Despite having ballet lessons and being offered a music scholarship at Oxford, Bailey decided against studying drama and ventured into professional acting instead.

Bailey’s Significant Roles beyond Bridgerton

Journeying beyond the world of Bridgerton, Bailey has proven his acting prowess through his roles in hit TV series and films such as Broadchurch, Testament of Youth, St Trinian’s, and The Young Messiah. He received critical acclaim for his role in the emotionally turbulent romantic drama Fellow Travelers where he portrayed Tim, a young staffer who finds himself embroiled in a relationship with a closeted State Department official, Hawk.

For his brilliant performance on Fellow Travelers, Bailey was awarded the Critics’ Choice Award for the best supporting actor in a mini-series. He dedicated his acceptance speech to honour the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the series’ role in asserting that “LGBTQ+ people have always existed – mostly hidden.”

The actor isn’t new to Netflix; he’s set to appear in the upcoming third season of the platform’s hit show, Heartstopper. Bailey plays Jack Maddox, a character idolized by the show’s protagonist. Sharing his excitement about this new role, Bailey stated, “Like so many people, I watched the first [season] and thought it was one of the biggest, most beautiful gifts to so many people, and I wish I had that growing up.”

Bailey’s versatility doesn’t end here. He’s also set to appear as Fiyero in the movie musical Wicked, and is confirmed to lead in the upcoming dinosaur-themed thriller, Jurassic World 4.

Jonathan Bailey’s Stellar Stage Performances

Bailey’s acting credentials are not confined to the silver screen alone. In 2019, he won an Olivier Award for best actor in a supporting role following his performance as Jamie in Stephen Sondheim’s gender-swap version of Company. Then in 2022, he appeared on stage at London’s Ambassadors Theatre in a play called Cock. Here, he portrayed a gay man named John who begins questioning his sexual orientation after forming a romantic connection with a woman.

The Actor’s Personal Life & Sexuality

Offscreen, Bailey identifies as a proud gay male. He disclosed his sexuality to his family and friends in his early twenties and went public in 2018 during his role in Company. His stance on maintaining a private life is firm and critical to him, but despite his desire for privacy, he has confirmed being in a relationship with a “lovely man”.

Jonathan Bailey: An Active LGBTQ+ Supporter

Bailey, who once said “F**k this, I’d much prefer to hold my boyfriend’s hand”, is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. He is a patron of Just Like Us, a LGBTQ+ youth charity that aims to empower young queer individuals. Also, he recently raised over £30,000 for the same charity by participating in the Hackney Half Marathon.

The Actor’s Net Worth

Thanks to an array of successful roles and ventures, Jonathan Bailey’s net worth stands at an estimated £1.5 million ($1.9 million). His salary from Bridgerton especially saw a significant increase due to his integral role in the show. With his upcoming lead role in Jurassic World 4 and other projects, his net worth is expected to grow further.

Bailey’s talent transcends beyond acting as he continues to use his platform to inspire and influence people, particularly those from the LGBTQ+ community. His journey so far clearly attests to his commitment towards diverse narratives and his dedication to storytelling.

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