Actress and talk show host Sara Gilbert on Thursday credited former “Roseanne” co-star and ex-boyfriend Johnny Galecki with helping her embrace her sexual orientation while they were still in a relationship.
Gilbert spoke candidly about Galecki in an episode of “The Talk” on Thursday, admitting she would become “depressed” after she and Galecki kissed.
“I thought he was super cute and I had a total crush on him. And we started dating and he would come over and we would, like, make out, and then I would start to get depressed,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert said she thought felt Galecki started “taking it personally” until she told him she was gay. “He was super sweet about it.”
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She said she kept her sexuality a secret throughout her nine years on Roseanne, from 1988 to 1997.
“No one knew at the [Roseanne] show, and Johnny held the secret the whole time. I was always so scared if it came out.”
Gilbert said that co-hosting CBS’ “The Talk” has helped her become more comfortable with talking publicly about her sexual orientation, but that there’s always a part of her that wonders, “What is this costing me in my career?”
“I want to live a true life. Beyond that, we do often say things like, ‘It gets better’ – and it does get better. I have an amazing life, but I want people to know that there can still be a struggle with it, and that’s OK,” she said.
“There can be a part of you that doesn’t want to feel different or feel scared. And that may be more important than any of it.”
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Gilbert said she and Galecki remain close friends and that she asked him prior about how he felt if she shared their story. His response was, ” ‘Yeah … I love you, and I think it’s really important. I’m so proud of you. If you want, I’ll be there with you and I’ll hold your hand.’ I just thought that was so sweet.”
Gilbert is engaged to songwriter and former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry.
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