Robert La Tourneaux, who was openly gay, often attributed the challenges in his career to being pigeonholed as a gay hustler. Following the release of the film adaptation of The Boys in the Band, La Tourneaux's career took a downturn, leading him to perform a one-man cabaret show in a male adult film venue in Times Square by 1978. David Ragan, the author of "Who's Who in Hollywood," remarked, “He blamed his failure on being typecast as a hustler.”
In 1983, La Tourneaux faced legal troubles when he was arrested for assault, resulting in his incarceration at Rikers Island. It was during his time there that he contracted AIDS, a disease that would ultimately take his life in 1986. Despite his struggles, La Tourneaux remains a notable figure for his contributions to the arts and his candid approach to his sexuality in a challenging era for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood.
In 1983, La Tourneaux faced legal troubles when he was arrested for assault, resulting in his incarceration at Rikers Island. It was during his time there that he contracted AIDS, a disease that would ultimately take his life in 1986. Despite his struggles, La Tourneaux remains a notable figure for his contributions to the arts and his candid approach to his sexuality in a challenging era for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood.
