QAF's Brian at 40: Where Would He Be?

There are certain gay men who use their looks and sexual prowess to get them through life. You know the type, the guy who gets laid on near-daily basis, uses sex to get ahead at work, in social situations and even to screw over friends. But how much is sex the means to this end or is it just a way for them to mask some other void in their life? We can try to analyze it as much as possible, but the best way to see how it works is to look at a real-life example, or in this case, a made-for-TV example that comes close to real life.Ok, maybe not so much.

We're talking about Brian Kinney, that sex-crazed egomaniac that so many of us lived vicariously through during his five-year run on "Queer as Folk." When the show premiered, Brian was 30. He was hot, successful and always ready to party. Interestingly, Gale Harold, who played Brian with phenomenal aplomb, was about the same age when the series premiered and he saw his own star rise as the show took off.

Gale Harold turned 40 this week and, unlike Brian, has seen a bit of a dip in his career. But that isn't stopping him from pressing forward while landing small roles on TV and starring in Broadway theater. Brian's life is immortalized at 35, but Harold continues to get older, like the rest of us. If QAF hadn't ended (lord knows it would've jumped the shark had it not), what do we think Brian would be doing as he turned 40? Do you think he would still use his looks and sex appeal to bed men and get ahead? Would his looks even be holding up?

Let us know what you think. Would Brian still be hot? Would you sleep with him? Or do you think he would be a washed up, tired troll who was past his prime?

(Images courtesy of ABC, Showtime and Getty)

Comments

[DM]

I know it sounds silly, but I think Brian would be much hotter than Gale. Yeah, same body, I know but Brian's clothes and attitude really make a difference.

I think Brian will always be a grown up teenager and will always want to look hot and have lots of sex...

But honestly, by the age of 40 I think he finally realized that he *is* getting older and even if he'd like to, he can't change the fact that he isn't immortal and will not always look attractive to other people. But he will always be young and beautiful to Justin (or Michael, for that matters).

I believe he finally got it: he wants to be with Justin. But not to cuddle, that was an act to get the boy on a plane to New York.

And I'm sure Justin got it, too: he is not Andy Warhol and I'm sure as hell he doesn't want to give up everything to be famous and then die alone at 58. No way. Justin loves art but he loves Brian just as much. And after all the troubles they went through, there's no way Justin just gave up and forgot about Brian.

Yeah, somehow, Justin and Brian got back together. And no, they aren't living a fairytell in their pretty manor. And yes, Brian did make a scandal when he turned 40, but I think he's happy now. At least, I hope so.

[Pam C]

GALE HAROLD is HOT, no matter what age, where he is, what he is doing or long we have to wait to see him!! The Man is an ICON, a Sex-God, and will Always Be!! It is hard for Those of Us that Know this, to understand how there are those of you that Don't! He is Gorgeous on the inside and well as the outside. He is shy, dorky, and a very Talented Actor. We Love him because of all this, not in spite of,. The way he carries himself, his walk, his sultry voice, those beautiful eyes that 'speak' SO well for him when he cannot, the luscious lips and that smirk he has, are all Irresistible to those of us who LOVE Him. At 30 or 40, he outshines Brad, Tom and anyone else, when it comes to REAL people who want only to act for a living. Gale isn't after 'Star' recognition, he just IS. Can you get that?

[defame]

It does not matter what age they are at, either Brian or Gale Harold, as they will always be an icon to look up to. They have different perspectives of life, and they don't live in conformity. They act and think the ways they want. Certainly, they are not the same kind of persons, but in my eyes, they have the same quality in addressing life and age, and thus they follow life paths different from most of ours.
Certainly by 40, Brian would have been able to reconcile with the fact that he is getting older and older every day. But don't look down on him, he will always be young and beautiful to his friends, and at least to me!

[defame]

One more.
Please don't be sarcastic when people are getting old. We all have the share.
Your blog entry really annoys me.

[Sarenja]

Well I think, that he would do a better job handling that he turns 40 than he was doing when he turned 30. He really recognized that he wants Justin in his Life at the end of Season 5 and he just pushed Justin forward towards NYC because he never wanted Justin not to try to walk his own way. So I guess...

When Brian turns 40 he has already recognized that he needs his Sunshine as Sunshine needs him. I don´t think that they would split up completely when Justin leaves to NYC. I guess that he spends a few Years doing a good Job in New York and than returns to Pittsburgh and to Brian, who is happy to have him back.

I don´t think that they will use the manor for living in there, but I bet they will use it for the Weekends or when they just need a Time Out. Brian will still wear Armani and other Labels and he will still looc fabolous. I don´t think that he will go on tricking, well ok maybe sometimes, and maybe sometimes he will request his discopharmacologist again, but I think, even Brian Kinney will settle down a bit. But not that much, that he isn´t adorable anymore.

He will always be the "Sex on Legs" and so is Gale Harold. I wish he had a wonderful Birthday and spent that day with all his friends and family.

Greetings from Germany
Sarenja

[ducdebrabant]

Brian Kinney was a brilliant advertising executive, not a fashion model. A lot of his self-esteem was based on his sex appeal, true, but a lot of it was also based on his business savvy and talent. I disagree with your premise that he used his looks and sexual prowess to get through life. He used them to have more fun.

While other websites are congratulating Gale Harold on his 40th birthday, I'm saddened that you make it an occasion to disparage both the actor and any other gay man over 40. You are mistaken if you think a 40 year old man (and especially Gale Harold) necessarily has a problem getting laid -- or getting jobs, either. What's your issue about age 40?

And what "dip in his career"? He starred in a niche series on the second-rated premium cable network. About a million subscribers a week watched it. It's true that it made Gale internationally famous. He still is. He still has fansites in Russian, Spanish, Italian, Korean and Japanese.

"Small roles on TV"? Since QAF, he's played a series lead and done guest shots on some of the most prestigious and highly rated series on television -- almost always in multiple episode arcs. Most recently, he was Susan's love interest on "Desperate Housewives" -- a gig most actors would kill for. Each episode played to an audience eighteen times the largest audience "Queer as Folk" played to on Showtime. In an interview, Marc Cherry made it clear that the show wanted him back for Season 6, if the motorcycle accident had changed the priorities of the "commitment-phobic actor."

Harold could undoubtedly work a lot more if he were quicker to tie himself down with a long-term contract.

Why shouldn't Brian Kinney's looks have held up as well as Gale Harold's (and GH looks fantastic; check the new haircut)? He was just as disciplined and athletic as Harold is. Brian worked out every day and never ate carbs after 7 p.m. His breakfast consisted of a soy/Creatine shake.

I don't think he'd fit as well at Babylon, but by now he'd probably be tired of Babylon anyway. Of course I'd sleep with him. And since when is 40 "past [everybody's] prime"? A lot of us prefer a 40 year old man to a 30 year old.

Gale Harold is one of the most desirable men in Hollywood; journalists write about him all the time. When he had a serious motorcycle accident, it was a worldwide story, and when he recovered from it, that was another worldwide story. Did you know that the day after his motorcycle accident his name was the 6th rated Google search term, and its frequent misspelling "Gale Howard" was #11? Did you know that his IMDb Starmeter that week was #28?

If Gale still looms hot among the Hollywood competition, I doubt Brian would have any problem managing to be one of the most desirable men in Pittsburgh.

[wayne kahler]

I think that after several failed attempts at suicide; he would
accept his lot in life but not settle for married life.

[incorrigible1]

At 40 Brian would be living at Britin with Justin, doing it raw (only with Justin) every night. And he would still be the hottest homosexual in Pittsburgh.

I'm may be delusional.

[A Brian/Gale Fan in SF]

In my opinion, Gale looks better now than Brian did in Season 5. I never really thought Brian used his looks and sex appeal to bed men and get ahead. Men (and I'm sure women too) wanted to bed him as much as he wanted to bed them (men), and he was already ahead.

If Brian looks anything like Gale does today at 40, then YES, Brian's looks are still holding up, and YES, he would still be HOT. Just as Gale is.

[Angela]

Oh, Brian, Brian Brian! He would still be a hot, sexy, workaholic, vain, under-not-so cover Justin Lover!

[GOTB]

I think Brian's looks and persona would still hold up at 40, 50, etc., because he is not just all about the looks, he is all about success and achievement as well. There are some men who look better as they age, and if Brian would look as good as Gale does currently, he'd definitely be in this category. As far as being an "over-the-hill club boy", as Michael once said, I think Brian started realizing that he didn't fit into Babylon as much at the end of the series. He wanted to be with Justin, and he wanted Justin to not have regrets in his professional life either. The New York stint for Justin would not keep these two apart, not after what they went through over 5 years. (And yes, I'd sleep with him at 40, 50, etc.!)

[CF]

Brian will always be hot and will always be beautiful.
Even though I'm sad that the series ended, I'm glad that they wrapped it up before they ruin his character.

I disagree that Brian is a sex-crazed egomaniac but I agree that he's been immortalized at 35. That's how I'll always remember him. So, thankfully, Brian will NEVER be past his prime for me. Oh and yes, of course, he's back with Justin :)

As for Gale, I don't really think he's like Brian, except maybe for the commitment-shy issue (Gale in contracts as an actor and Brian in relationships... perhaps Gale too ;) ).

But I also think that Gale, like I read so many times on the net, is definitely getting younger. He looks in his late 20s to me, in his last pictures from the Campus Moviefest.

But what I'm hoping for now is that this painfully underrated actor gets good opportunities to showcase his amazing talent in good, powerful roles. Something as good as Wake, QAF, Street Time, the Unseen...

In a nutshell, I want Brian to remain in my dreams and I want Gale to remain on my screen!

[PAM C]

Gale Harold is Sex-on-Legs. He ALWAYS will BE. He is the Hottest Man on the Planet! My fantasy is that he and Randy Harrison are together, or that they get together. The chemistry between these two 'melts' the screen! THEY are the MOST ROMANTIC COUPLE, EVER!!!!

[louise]

Brian would still be hot at 40, just as Gale Harold is super hot at 40. I really hope his fans will be able to see Gale soon in a film or on television.

Is it true Gale will not be on DH for this coming television season?

[Colleen]

Brian would be living in Manhattan with Justin, running Kinnetik, but also spending a lot of time in DC advising the Obama administration on how to promote health care reform. And I agree with the San Fran fan; he'd look younger and more beautiful than he did 4 years ago.

As for Gale, it's a pity you've used such old pictures, because then you wouldn't need to ask the question. The photos from last month, when Gale and other stars presented the awards at Campusmoviefest International Grand Finale, placed beside those of QAF season 1, demonstrate that Gale has mastered the art of stopping time. And what is this dip you speak of? The carreers that have dipped are those of Cowen and Lipman.

[Davore]

I agree with Colleen about putting up old pictures. Also, this is asking about Brian Kinney, so why do we have Jackson as one of the pictures, a totally different character? A hair cut makes a huge difference! I think that Brian would, by 40, have realized that he's not into the club scene as much as before. Does he end up with Justin? That's something the writers leave you to question... We know he can now open himself up to another...As far as his good looks and success, they wouldn't fade, and definitely not at 40. Also, I disagree with a comment up above that Brian uses sex to get ahead. He didn't need to, he was successful all on his own. He appeals to all sexes, gay or straight. I would sleep with him!
As for Gale, could he be any hotter? I just can't believe that as talented an actor as he is, that he has not been publicly recognized for it like an emmy. He is for some reason under the radar. I don't think his career is taking a dip, but he does need some more good scripts to go by that he can show his true, amazing talent we all know he has. I think after Desperate Housewives, he will find something better that can show all of his "colors". Something like scenes we know he can master in QAF, POT, Wake, Fathers and Sons, Unseen, and even agent Graham Kelton (which was well played by him and shoudn't have been killed off). I have every belief that he will surprise everybody again in another knock-out role!

[Colleen]

And you forgot (I 'll quote your fine words) "unsinkable and fiercely fun-loving bon vivant.. Emmet"! Renaissance man (Actor/writer/director/activist) Peter Paige turned 40 June 20 and looked great on Raising the Bar recently.

As for Emmett, I think by 40 he'd be with Drew, now "of age." Emmett would be surviving the recession by planning events for charities such as Angels over Pittsburgh, the G&L Center, etc.

[galenut]

gale harold was and still is the sexiest man i have ever seen. would i sleep with him HELL YEAH

[Peggy]

Gale is hot at any age

[Kraig]

This is a touchy subject because I'm still bummed to this day that QAF is not on the air! If Threes Company can make it long as it did I sure as hell think that QAF could have survived it just as long! I think it ended early!!Brian would still be hot and up to his tricks and regret letting Justin leave and then go out and get him back. I think he would look the same. He did all the way through the series. Gale go on with your hot looking self!

[Crazywesbian]

If you saw Gale in real life, he would look much younger than 40. He would look like he is in his 20's.

As for the tone of this article...I don't get the issue that many in the community have with the character Brian Kinney. Is it jealousy? Gale brought us a character that was out and proud. You would think this is something that we would want. Instead of taking pot shots at Gale about his age, we should be grateful for the ground breaking character he created.

Secondly, compared to many other stars of gay themed shoes, Gale has still managed to get work. There was another famous gay themed show on network TV and I have no idea what the actors of that show are doing. Gale still pops up now and then.

As for where Brian would be...Brian would have learned a lesson from his 30th birthday and behaved a lot better than he did then. He might not embrace it, but he woud know that he still looked damn HOT. He would be flying back and forth between Pitts and NY with Justin, who would have also matured.

[K]

Maybe Gale Harold is in a slump. John Travolta, Patrick Dempsey and Richard Gere all have had ups and downs in their careers. Or maybe he's doing what he wants to do. Brian's a made up person who's supposed to be the characteristic over forty gay man. So avoiding that topic, here's hoping Gale Harold is happy and doing what he wants to do.

[richarrdnames]

By the comments, I am releived to see that I am not the only one who wants the show back on the air.

When the show went off the air, I felt like I lost friends. I miss seeing them every week. Sorry to sound uncool, but I do.

This idea about Brian at 40 only reinforces how much Showtime and the producers of Queer as Folk are missing a great opportunity to bring the show back.

I'd never even thought of the boys getting older. I for one am interested in seeing their lives mature. I want to see Brian at 40. I want to see Michael at 40. I want to see Emmet fall in love again.

I agree it would be fascinating to see Brian age. But my god, I can't even begin to imagine what he'd be like now!

Jesus, bring it back.

[Jack]

Brian used his sex appeal to get what and where he wanted. He was smart in business. He knew what he wanted and how to go after it. I think all of us are jealous of him being able to get laid when and where he did. We would give our eye teeth to be able to do what he did on a daily basis. The older he got, the better he was.

[travelingman8]

I think a return of QAF today would be quite interesting. It would be nice to see how their lives have progressed with time, and what direction the rest of the gangs lives have taken them. We are all going to grow older, and that is just a part of life. You can be gay at 40-50 or even 60. I think a return would be greatly accepted by all, especially me. I think Gale still looks good. Age is just a number.

[rocchietti bye canada]

gale harold was and still is the sexiest man[2]

[joemama]

Ugh... I guess I'm in the minority here, but with the exception of Debbie, EVERYONE on that fucking show got on my nerves, especially Brian the pedophile/egomaniac. "Real life?" Not even close. The original was MUCH better.

[PJ]

Not having read the many many comments, I honestly thing Brian Kinney would still be the way he has always been. I think he'd start using cosmetic surgery a bit though and maybe start going for the slightly older guys (out of need, not out of preference). And yes, I'd still give most anything to have a roll in the hay with Brian Kinney.. as much of an ass as he was, he spoke a lot of hard truths about the gay community. Thats actually one reason I found him so attractive.. not just the cloths, the body, the sex.. and THATS what would keep him going.

[CDLC]

Hell, I would never kick him out of my bed. He is HOT. Bring him back, NOW!

[luvczak]

he'd be working in (and stealing from) michael's comic book store.
all the booze and drugs and overexertion has caught up with him and everyone except mikey has gotten fed up with his games.
he looks like Iggy Pop and can reel in a twink when he's sober--but since he can't keep it up and insists he's still a top--a night with brian is short and disappointing
good thing babylon has that back room. in the dark he's just another anonymous hole.

[someone who dated a guy like Brian Kenny in his eArly 20's]

Brian would alwyas stay HOT and have fun!! Its not the age its the attitude and the oozing confidence young guys would continue to fall for him it would be the twink that would have faded out :).

I know cos I dated some one like Brian Kenny through out early 20's. He still rocks I still long for him. He gets a new boy toy every now and then I smile when I look at them.

Thats how Brian Kenny would be.

[Zach]

I think he is as hot as ever. I would never kick him out of bed.

[g]

mmmmmbooo hoo hoo i wanna be hot like gale harold lol

wfc

[Brandon]

Who gives a crap what he's like now? is this really all bloggers have to do to earn money? Wow.

[yeah]

Brian Kinney @ 40 would probably be a balding 250 lb on his way to 350lb troll. With his gut hanging out from under his shirt with bad breath hanging out at a gay bar thinkin he was da shit trying to get any 18-20 year old twink

[jer]

jebus!

he's been too gay, too straight, too aggressive, too passive, too top, too bttm, too perfectly structured with a muscular build,

why are we threatening him? jebus. hallelujerrrr

[Skechers1]

Putting all of the hype and provocative subject matter aside, Queer As Folk was the worst, unrealistic and poorly written show I have ever seen. The dialogue was preposterous and the acting marginal. Good riddance, and I hope it never comes back.

[STEVEN M CORRALES III]

Wow guy's,move on brian is a character,and gayle is a good actor. From what i have heard he is straight and married. either way since when is 40 old and tired, take care of your selves and you can be hit as long as you want. example pitt,cruise,gere,etc. wow get lives....

[STEVEN M CORRALES III]

oh yes, and i should check my spelling...lol

[Colin]

Oh Brian hasn't aged well. QAF was an outstanding series, never understood the attraction for Brian though. guess i never will now. I would have thought his character was a geek, now i can just not think about him.

[Galinette]

Gale Harold est toujours aussi merveilleux, 30,40 ans qu'importe il a autant de charme, il est autant sexy, il est aussi magnifique, il est tellement tout......Et croyez-moi il pourrait très bien reprendre le rôle de Brian il serait toujours aussi craquant....Voyez comme il est aimé même en France nous le chérissons.....moi je suis Fan complètement Fan et ce pour toujours....Même avec les années il restera mon IDOLE.......

[Galinette]

GALE HAROLD you are beautiful, sexy, charmer, magnificent actor.One fan who loves you in the other end of the world

[Greg aka splerk]

Gale looks better now then Brian did and that is not saying much.
Robert Gant is a different story. Now that is HOT.
I bet "Brian" at 40 would be a lonely alcoholic who gets busted for molesting someone in high school or becomes broke as his professional reputation plummets after being busted for sexual misconduct in a workplace or ends up with a fatal STD.
Brian was an ass who liked to screw people over anyways & if I was Justin, I'd screw him over by taking all his money.
I don't get why some GAYS glorify this character when he is really the lowest of most sorts.
Bad taste.

[Diana]

I read all the comments here and i have to say:

I agree with every one of you.
I personally think that Gale / Brian looked better and hotter the more years went by. I find him a lot sexier in Season 5 than he was in Season 1. Well, he was ALWAYS HOTTTTT, but i liked him better the older he got.

And now, after DH and his accident, he looks simply incredible. His short hair makes him look AT LEAST ten years younger. And no matter how old he is, he will always be the sexiest man alive to me.

That's how i feel. Of course he'll get wrinkels with time, but that just makes him more attractive.

So people, enjoy Gale in the best ways possible.

And yeah for Christ's sake: BRING BACK BRIAN!!!!!!!!! (AND JUSTIN OF COURSE)!!!!!!!

[Nico]

Brian was nothing if not original, he would have known how to keep himself in the game and still look his best - it's not like he would ever have stopped looking after himself - he even beat that new kid in town blond boy wonder in Season 5 - I say Brian would have just kept getting better - maybe we'll see it in a QAF movie some day (or die wishing!).

[Brad]

**If Queer as Folk WERE still on the air**

English subjunctive mood. "If Queer as Folk WAS still on the air" is the past tense and incorrect for the situation.

[galinette]

I do not agree with you Greg, BRIAN was a great guy even if he wanted to let suppose the opposite.... OK he(it) sent in the air(sight) with all the city but in the depths of himself(itself) he(it) was charming because sincere.. At least he(it) had for him the franchising(frankness) thus we liked(loved) him(it) or we did not like(love) him(it) but at least we knew in what be held with him.
I I liked him(it) and I would have liked(loved) that he(it) exists, I would have liked being her friend as Lindsay. What luck(chance) she(it) had!!!!
In brief I loved Brian and especially I liked GALE in this role because he(it) is really talented and I have only an envy(urge) it is to find him(it)....

[Dan, Indianapolis Indiana]

Well if we were to take the last moments of the show as any indication that maybe Brian has settled down. That maybe partying is not for him. That being gay and out is a bit of a risk to ones self because of the bombing at Babylon. That Justin moved on to live his own life so that he wouldn't suffocate or exstinguish the Brian he once knew then maybe we might believe that there is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. That maybe some gay guys really figure what life really is about. That maybe he was lucky enough to be forty and the gay life has forgiven him for his actions and arrogance and petty high school cute boy behavior.. NOT

Your article basically ask usk to reflect on the stereo typical pretty boy gay boy party GAY BOY AKA MAN.. (UGH Fags over 18 who call themselves boys. Laughable.)
Alright! You cant change these guys. They live for their own self satisfaction and miserableness. They thrive on making others miserable in their own lives to inflate their own egos. The pathetic , still in high school playing their games kind of guys with their Narcissistic Personality Disorders will never change. When they become 40 they will live a terrible pathetic and painful lonely existence. Paying for sex from young men who don't want them and truly find them repulsive. The new young narcissistic boys will be eating and feeding off the old ones. I feel sorry for these guys because they become sugar daddy's for young men who cant make it in the re world on their own and feed off the sadness of the post / past hot guys who cant give up their youth and accept their aging life. These 40 year old Brian Kenny like individuals will be the ones you find in bath houses being pushed away by the younger ones and sitting on some pathetic bar stool drunk off their ass's with many DUI's under their belts. Paying fortunes in Circuit Party cost to chase after a life they so desperately want to hold on to or get back. One would think, hum maybe there is more to life than a cute boy or a hard dick. That maybe getting older, the str8 people do have something on us gay men. That str8 couples realize their limitations and their need for companionship and not to be alone. CAUSE WHEN YA DIE, YA CANT TAKE THE BOTTLE OF LUBE AND THE CUM RAG WITH YA. But you sure can die knowing real love and the heart ache that will be caused by your absence. The Brian Kenny's end up living sad lives or basically take their own lives cause they are no longer wanted, no longer an item of desire and thirst. They are no longer the center of their own universe. Pathetic huh?

[dale R.]

Brian has always been the peter pan syndrome, the boy who never wanted to grow old, grow up. I think that at Brians 40th birthday a man Just as good lookin, just as hot would turn brians head, they would do their thing and brian would find out the mans 48, and has a career, a life and his shit together. And that change would make him realize he wants to settle down, maybe with justine, who by this time has a career and a life in new york but wants a family. Timeing is everything.
I was dissapointed with the final episode because of just one phrase, Yur brian fuckin kinny, yur always going to be young and beautiful. What a crock. EVERYONE ages, some get better looking as they mature, as the settle down, some men become more attractive when you know they are stable.
I hope if they ever do a reunion episode of QAF they dont do the hollywood fag style series, and actually make these people grow, like they did with sex in the city the movie.

[Robert-San Diego]

Sorry.... Still HOT...