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Profiles in LGBTQ+ Pride: Actor Marco Calvani
Profiles in LGBTQ+ Pride: Actor Marco Calvani originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
LOS ANGELES CELEBRATES 50 INSPIRING ANGELENOS WHO UPLIFT AND ADVANCE THE COMMUNITY IN ESSENTIAL WAYS
Playwright, filmmaker and actor; he/him
What projects or accomplishments are you most proud of?The Four Seasons (Netflix.) It is my return to acting after 15 years, something I wasn't really chasing nor even dreaming of. I'm proud I was able to put my fears aside and accept this enormous gift that came my way. Working with such amazing talents has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, not just professionally. It has changed my approach to the creative work in general and to life about The Four Seasons' Los Angeles premiere here. [Secondly,] my first feature film, High Tide, which I wrote, directed and produced (currently available on demand on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.) I've been a gay man all my life and a storyteller for most of it, and yet I had never put queer characters at the center of my stories before. Bringing this film to life somehow ended up healing me from my own internalized homophobia. I was born and raised in a very Catholic country and conservative family, and I'd been carrying it with me for so long without even knowing. [Also], my marriage to Marco Pigossi. He is a wonderful man and such a gifted artist. I'm so incredibly happy to be on this journey with him. We've been together for five years now and we've built so much together: a home, a family, a film. We think of High Tide (of which he is the protagonist and the heart) as our first baby; the first one of many!
Who from L.A.'s LGBTQ+ community has inspired you? The workers and the volunteers of the LGBTQ Center. I happened to volunteer a few times for the center and to witness their commitment and dedication was just amazing. They filled me with gratitude. The trans community. They are — and always have been — a rare and true example of resilience, an inspiration to always fight back no matter the consequences and [are] an ally in any circumstances. Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon (theater and film producers) and Colman and Raul Domingo (also producers, on top of the obvious!). Both couples are friends of mine and have been together for at least two decades. Their relationships are a true collaboration — both personally and professionally — and that's been tremendously encouraging. They exemplify what success in life really means to me.
What does Pride mean to you, and why is it important to celebrate? It is a public platform to embrace myself and celebrate the truth of who I am — despite all the hatred, the fear, the doubt. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to be or become a political body and send a message of union to the authorities and the institutions [and] to fight for equality with the support of the community. Our message is filled with love and joy, with passion and enthusiasm. It is also an invitation to remember and honor all the ones who came before us and fought for our all 50 LGBTQ+ Angelenos making an impact.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
