‘Mean Girls’ Franzese: ‘Damian was people’s first gay friend’

Mean Girls

star Daniel Franzese has spoken about the cultural impact the film and his character have had.

The actor – who played gay character Damian in the 2004 comedy – said that men and women have told him that he was their “first gay friend”.

Speaking to Yahoo! Movies, he said: “I really didn’t think that comedy would have that kind of social impact on someone.

“I knew people were fans of mine, I knew they liked it, and they thought it was funny, but I didn’t really realise that I was actually helping people with their struggles.

“It wasn’t just men. It was girls, too — gay and straight — that were just like, ‘You were my first gay friend. By watching you, I understood what gay people are. And I was able in high school to think it was cool to have a gay best friend.'”

Franzese came out as gay last month by writing an open letter to his character, thanking him for helping him with his decision. He also thanked the writer of Mean Girls, Tina Fey.

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