Hyde Pierce slams gay marriage law change

David Hyde Pierce has again criticised the State of California for overturning legislation permitting same-sex marriage.

The former Frasier star came out in 2007 and privately married his partner the following year, before Proposition 8 again limited weddings to couples of opposite sexes.

Hyde Pierce told Metro: "As a person who is least happy calling attention to themselves, to have to be suddenly very public about their life, and who felt very angry about the government interfering, was very painful.

"I'd love to just shut up about gay rights but so many gay men are not able to live their lives in the same meaningful way as other people."

Asked if being an actor who disliked attention was a contradiction, he replied: "Actually, most actors are the same. You only show off on stage because that's the place where you aren't you. Acting gives you permission to do stuff you've never done before."

The Tony Award winner stars in La Bête, which opens tonight at London's Comedy Theatre.