Almost famous.

Nat DeWolf is an openly gay actor--and he plays one in the new comedy Lisa Picard Is "Famous," in which he spoofs showbiz and bad gay theater

Out actor Nat DeWolf plays out actor Tate Kelley in Lisa Picard Is "Famous," a mock documentary he cowrote with his longtime friend and writing partner Laura Kirk. Tate is best friends with Lisa (played by Kirk), a wanna-be star whose hapless attempts at malting it as an actress in New York prove both hilarious and excruciating to watch. Ironically, it is Tate who almost hits the big time when his embarrassing one-man show against homophobia and gay bashing (Hate Crimes and Broken Hearts) becomes a surprise hit.

"Laura and I have always said that Lisa and Tate are us if we had made really bad decisions 10 years ago," says DeWolf. "But I don't think we're as dumb and naive and clueless as they are."

Using This Is Spinal Tap and Bob Roberts as their models, the two actor-writers enlisted Oscar winner--and former acting classmate--Mira Sorvino as producer and actor-director Griffin Dunne as director. The comedy boasts a host of guest spots from the likes of Sandra Bullock, Spike Lee, Charlie Sheen, Melissa Gilbert, and Carrie Fisher, all playing themselves.

For DeWolf, who has appeared frequently in stage productions and who had a role in the 1999 gay movie Trick, the character of Tate is dear to his heart. "I had been at grad school in the mid '90s and toyed with the idea of doing a one-man show about being gay and dealing with homophobia in the business," he says. "I never did the show, of course, but out of that Tate was born. He's not all that intelligent, and all he really wants is a boyfriend. The only reason he does the show is because he got dumped, and the fact it works is a complete fluke. There's no reason why it should be a success, that's for sure."

In real life, DeWolf is clearly a lot smarter than Tate, although he jokes that he too is "amazingly single." He says that he has never encountered problems being out and an actor. "I think it would be insulting to my friends if I stayed in the closet. Besides, I haven't run into any overt homophobia. I always assume that people know I'm gay," he says. "If I get pigeonholed as someone who can only play gay characters, then so be it. I think I'm capable of playing anything, but there are lots of great gay parts being written these days."

Sure, playing gay doesn't scare him, but "the only fear I have," DeWolf adds sardonically, "is that people will mistake me for Tate."

Goodridge also writes for Screen International magazine.