TL;DR
- Lisa Ann Walter connects deeply with her LGBTQ fans.
- She was one of the first to support her queer nephew.
- Walter’s comedy special premieres soon.
- Her roles have created safe spaces for queer audiences.
- She values the mutual love from her fans.
There’s a reason why everyone loves Lisa Ann Walter. The acclaimed actress has not only made us laugh until we cry with her unforgettable roles over the years, but she’s also forged a fierce connection with her passionate LGBTQ+ fans. Now, she’s diving back into her standup comedy roots with her debut special, Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident, and trust us, it’s going to be a riot!
Right off the bat, Walter shows her love for her gay fans in the audience, cracking jokes that are sure to leave viewers in stitches. “One of the most gratifying things for me is the fierce connection and intimate relationship that I have with the LGBTQ+ community. From the get, these are people that have showed up for me. Anytime you have a community that faces adversity, you get people who are funnier,” she tells Out. And honey, can we get an amen for that?
Walter’s allyship to the queer community goes way back. She humorously recounts how her first husband came out to her at the end of their marriage. And guess what? They’re still best friends! “[My ex-husband] is still my biggest fan! A lovely Jewish man. Turns out, we had too much in common. He also liked men!” she quips. Talk about a supportive ex!
But it doesn’t stop there. Walter proudly reveals that she was one of the first people her nephew came out to as a young adult. “I knew since he was 3. I was waiting for him. He came out to my mother first, and I was second,” she shares. This is the kind of family support we all need!
Beyond her immediate circle, queer people around the globe have resonated with her maternal roles that have defined her career. Walter acknowledges that she’s created a safe space for many gay fans, but the love is mutual. “Getting to play one character as, dare I say, iconic as Chessy in The Parent Trap, where people were writing me and saying, ‘I felt accepted by you.’ I said, ‘You are perfect just the way you are. You are loved. I love you and accept you.’ To get to do that once in your career is the biggest gift any actor could ever ask for,” she reflects.
And let’s not forget her role as Melissa Schemmenti in Abbott Elementary, which has made her a household name since the show’s debut in 2021. “I consider myself extraordinarily blessed that I get to do it again in another way with Melissa. I’m so incredibly lucky to be someone that the LGBTQ+ community feels like they know and like I know them. We love each other. There’s nothing better for me!” she exclaims.
Mark your calendars because Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident premieres Friday, May 15, on Hulu. If you want to see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page. This is one special you won’t want to miss!
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