Sharon Gless, the actress who famously played Cagney on “Cagney & Lacey — says back in the day she was confused about her sexuality, and hit on Rosie O’Donnell.
Gless, who just wrote a memoir with a true 2021 title — “Apparently There Were Complaints” — recounted something that happened in 2005, when the actress starred in “Queer as Folk.” There was a scene between her and guest star Rosie O’Donnell that called for the 2 to kiss. After the scene was shot, Rosie sent Gless a bouquet of roses with a note … “You’re a good kisser.”
Gless’s response … “I was flattered … It was the first time I’d heard that from a woman. But, then again, it was the first time I’d ever kissed a woman.” Gless says in her book she started to question her sexuality.
Now, here’s the crazy part … Gless had dinner with Rosie and at one point she went out on a limb and said, “Ro, I love you so much. I mean, do you feel … do you think?”
O’Donnell shut her down, responding, “Oh Glessy, no. Never. You are so straight.”
Lots of fans of “Cagney & Lacey” thought Gless was gay … her reaction in the book — “Well, I gave it my best f–king shot with the number one lesbian on the planet.”
Sharon’s been married since 1991 to Barney Rosenzweig.