Old Hollywood Stars Who Were Forced to Live a Double Life

Before becoming a celebrated interior designer, William Haines was one of MGM’s biggest silent-era stars. Known for his wisecracking charm and films with Joan Crawford, he seemed built for lasting fame. Then studio chief Louis B. Mayer demanded a painful choice about his private life.

Haines was openly gay within Hollywood and shared his life with Jimmie Shields. Mayer reportedly told him to leave Shields and enter a marriage with a woman. Haines refused, lost his place at MGM, and stayed with Shields for nearly fifty years instead.