Gary Hailes | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1965-11-04)4 November 1965 (age 59) London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
Gary Hailes (born 4 November 1965 inLondon) is an Englishactor.
Started acting after attending the Anna Scher Children's Theatre in Islington in 1978.
Hailes attendedHolloway School.[1] During the 1980s he starred in several successful television series, includingWoodentop,Grange Hill and theBBCsoap operaEastEnders, where he playedBarry Clark from 1986-89. He originally auditioned for the role ofMark Fowler when the series began in 1985, but the role went toDavid Scarboro instead. Hailes' character was notable for being one half of the soap's firstgay couple, introduced as the partner of the yuppie graphic designer,Colin Russell (played byMichael Cashman).
In 1987, Hailes' character Barry Clark caused a great deal of controversy afterEastEnders screened the first male-to-male kiss on a UK,prime time soap. The kiss prompted a multitude of complaints from angry viewers and a hostilebacklash from theright wingpress.[2] Despite the fact that Hailes is heterosexual, he suffered from severehomophobia because of the homosexual role he played inEastEnders. He was attacked several times by members of the public who could not separate fact from fiction, which included being assaulted in a supermarket by a disapproving woman and strangled by a man at a petrol station. Even after he left the show he lost a job as a children's television presenter because of the so-called "gay tag".[3]
Although he leftEastEnders in 1989 he returned in 2022 to reprise his role as Barry.[4]
Over the years he appeared in films such asThe Killing Zone (1999);Murder with Mirrors andWaiting for a Killer and Scab amongst others. On television he has appeared inITV police dramaThe Bill (2001–02);Horizon;Nobody’s Hero Luther series 5,Sorry
Theatre appearances includeStrip Poker;Doctor on the Boil;Gollocks and numerouspantomimes. He has also performed several plays for BBC radio and voice-overs.
In the late 90's, Hailes passed the London knowledge and for a while drove a Londontaxi.[5] And now as well as acting Hailes is a successful funeral celebrant.
Hailes is involved with the worldwide Star Wars costuming group, 501st Legion. He was Commanding Officer of the UK Garrison until 2024. Hailes spends much of his time traveling the country helping to raise money for charities. Hailes appeared as a Stormtrooper, along with five other members of the 501st Legion inStar Wars: The Force Awakens.
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