“You’ve been very open about your experience with alopecia, which causes sort of the radical hair loss,” Stephen began. “What was it like starting out in an industry that puts such a premium on standard normative looks?”
Anthony, 42, admitted, “It was obviously quite a journey because when — I had it since I was a kid, and I would cover it up because it was just spots at the time. So it started as something that I would cover up. I had a lot of shame over. I didn’t really like anyone knowing I had alopecia.”
Becoming an actor and living under the constant glare of Hollywood only amplified his insecurities. Anthony said, “Getting into the industry — obviously I chose the right industry to get into — but eventually, I got to the place where after being told I was never gonna act again…”
“Really?” Stephen interjected. “They said you should get out?” “Oh, fully get out,” Anthony confessed. “Yeah, ‘You’re never gonna act again. You’re not attractive anymore. You should stop.’ And this was when my hair was really going.”
“So I found something within myself, this kind of self-acceptance that I never had as a kid, and now, that’s my superpower,” Anthony said, drawing cheers and applause from the audience.
His comments also prompted reactions online, with many sharing love and support for the actor. “Glad he ignored all that negativity and kept going cause he’s a really incredible actor,” one Reddit user said, while others chimed in to share their favorite TV and movie projects.
One person declared, “Noho Hank is one of TV’s greatest characters,” while another fan wrote, “I don’t swing that way but I always thought he was an attractive dude, he’s got some aura. Loved him in Barry.” They also praised his “top tier” performance as Victor Zsasz in Gotham and his portrayal as Metamorpho in the new Superman film.
“He played the hell out of Zsasz-y in Gotham,” someone said. “I was terrified of him. Then [I] realized his range when he was such a sweetheart as metamorpho…”
And of course, people were very angry and hurt to hear about all of the mean comments that Anthony had received for his hair loss. “Haters are funny,” one comment read. “they always project their hate, but if you talk to them long enough, they only hate themselves.” Another said, “Fuck you whoever told him he would never act again,” as someone else said they “feel the need to hug him right now 🥺”