April 10, 2009

"Many gay men in the ’70s and ’80s [said Jack Wrangler] helped show them that a man can be gay and still be a man."

From a porn star's obituary.

But here's the oddest thing about Jack Wrangler (who died at age 62):
In 1977, at a restaurant in Manhattan, Mr. Wrangler met [Margaret] Whiting, who was famous for hits like “That Old Black Magic” and “Moonlight in Vermont." Although she was 22 years older, they bonded.

“They lived together for about 20 years before they got married in 1994,” Mr. Schwarz said. “Their relationship had nothing to do with sexual orientation; it was based on mutual affection and respect.” Ms. Whiting survives him.
I've spent 10 minutes looking — rather unsuccessfully — for the right Margaret Whiting clip to embed. I should be looking for Jack Wrangler!

Here's the — pretty clean but NSFW — trailer for "Anatomy of an Icon," the documentary about him.

28 comments:

Meade said...

“Their relationship had nothing to do with sexual orientation; it was based on mutual affection and respect.”

You see? Marriage does not have to just be about sex sex sex all the time.

The Dude said...

Dude, shhh, wait until after you are married to mention that!

Jason (the commenter) said...

I knew Meade looked familiar!

Steve M. Galbraith said...

You see? Marriage does not have to just be about sex sex sex all the time.

Hmm, perhaps an early film career you haven't told Ann about?

NTTAWWT.

Somebody make more popcorn, this may get interesting.

Palladian said...

I loved Meade in Cincinnati Sinners and Sowing Seeds: A Gardener's Tale.

Jason (the commenter) said...

I thought it was getting kind of tabloid around here lately, what with the shocking marriages and posts about "how to lose weight" and celebreties having weight issues, but this takes the cake!

Peter V. Bella said...

Now, where are all those who say gays cannot get married? :)

Meade said...

"Now, where are all those who say gays cannot get married? :)"

Hilarious.

Inflammatory... but hilarious.

Skyler said...

It's kind of a definitional thing. Homosexuals can "be a man" if they stop acting like homosexuals.

Anonymous said...

How come all your posts are suddenly italicized?

Anonymous said...

Must've been a hiccup. It's better now.

Ernesto Ariel Suárez said...

You enjoy these kind of arguments, professor. Very well, what is exactly "acting like a man"?

And, yes, homosexuals can marry women, I have known plenty of those from Overland Park, KS. Is it every time like this? Does it work every time? Are women happy with it? Does it hurt anyone?

Palladian said...

"It's kind of a definitional thing. Homosexuals can "be a man" if they stop acting like homosexuals."

Why so crabby, Skyler? What's the matter, your fat wife had a headache for the last 17 years?

Skyler. Now there's a masculine name!

Darcy said...

Hee. Palladian.

Meade said...

Wait. How do we know Skyler is a guy?

Palladian said...

"Wait. How do we know Skyler is a guy?"

Hmm, good question. The profile pic does kind of look like a butch lesbian.

Trooper York said...

Skyler is the bad guy on "Heroes."

Everybody knows that.

Trooper York said...

Bang the cheerleader and save the world.

Or something like that.

Unknown said...

Sounds like they had a good marriage. Doesn't fit The Narrative, but good for them.

Although the NYT doesn't want to admit it, I would think they may have even had sex!

Peter Hoh said...

I can think of nothing more manly than large groups of men getting together for some serious tea bagging parties.

Palladian said...

"Sounds like they had a good marriage. Doesn't fit The Narrative, but good for them."

Yup. This is why people should be able to marry the partner of their choice without the approval or disapproval of the State. If the State got out of the marriage licensing business altogether, we'd all be happy.

Ernesto Ariel Suárez said...

There you go, Palladian said it as it should be.

Revenant said...

The idea of a gay man marrying an older woman who does show tunes almost seems like it should be a stereotype in its own right.

Palladian said...

"The idea of a gay man marrying an older woman who does show tunes almost seems like it should be a stereotype in its own right."

cough...

Unknown said...

Anthony Perkins was married to Berry Berenson from the early 1970s until his AIDS-related death in 1992. (Berenson was killed on AA Flight 11 on 9/11/01.) By all accounts, despite his ongoing and unsuccessful attempts to suppress his homosexuality, they had a happy marriage, as well as two children. Brad Davis was also reportedly happily married, to Susan Bluestein, who denies that he was bisexual ... but, well, okay. They had one child.

The point being, when people are allowed to be who they are, they can find happiness in all kinds of unexpected places. Wrangler & Whiting are just the tip of a large iceberg.

Palladian said...

"The point being, when people are allowed to be who they are, they can find happiness in all kinds of unexpected places. Wrangler & Whiting are just the tip of a large iceberg."

Yes. And a lot of currently "straight" men can finally find happiness in another man's pants as well. It's definitely the tip of something, though I'm not sure icebergs were the first thing that came to mind.

Revenant said...

cough...

Meow!

Jason (the commenter) said...

His autobiography, "The Jack Wrangler Story Or What's A Nice Boy Like You Doing?" costs hundreds of dollars to purchase on-line. If anyone is hanging on to an old copy, now is a good time to sell!