Rosie O’Donnell Clarifies Tom Cruise Crush Was Never Sexual: “I’m 100% Gay”

Rosie O’Donnell says her longtime admiration for Tom Cruise was never sexual, despite how people interpreted it.

Speaking on the Aug. 11 episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, O’Donnell recalled frequently talking about Cruise on her 1990s talk show. She said she often joked that she wanted him to “mow my lawn and bring me an iced tea,” rather than have a sexual relationship with him.

O’Donnell, who publicly came out as a lesbian in 2002, said she was surprised that people were shocked by her announcement. “The Tom Cruise thing” was one reason, she recalled.

The comedian said she can still find men attractive without wanting a sexual relationship with them. She gave actor Sydney James Harcourt as an example, calling him “the sexiest human I’ve ever seen,” while emphasizing that her feelings do not go beyond admiration.

O’Donnell also recalled an encounter with a handsome doctor who asked her out. She told him she was a “big lesbian” and had been that way since 1970. He still sent her flowers.

Looking back on her career, O’Donnell said she once believed an openly lesbian performer could not succeed in show business. Although many people in her life knew she was gay, she and her then-partner Kelli Carpenter were not publicly presented as a couple during the 1990s.

O’Donnell said attitudes have changed significantly since then. She remains proud of being part of the LGBTQ+ community and said her sexuality is clear: “I’m one of those, you know, definitely 100% gay.”