What does the show Transparent and Bruce Jenner have in common? The show's star Jeffrey Tambor plays Maura, a transgendered woman, on Amazon's critically acclaimed show. And Jenner, as we all know, is reportedly transitioning from a man to a woman.
Tambor was on the red carpet at the 2015 Point Foundation Gala in New York City when he was asked about Jenner. The 70-year-old actor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Maura and supports the transgender community.
I think Jenner has a right to do what Jenner wants to do, and the way Jenner wants to do it.
"I think Jenner has a right to do what Jenner wants to do, and the way Jenner wants to do it. I don’t think we should say, 'Oh, you have to come out this way, or you have to come out this way.' It's not fair," he told reporters before the gala, held at the New York Public Library. "I wish Jenner happiness and an authentic life. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — that’s in the Constitution, damnit!"
Of Jenner's exposure to the public, Tambor continued: "I think it's great! I think the more light and education there is about all of this is important. But I think people go, 'Oh, I hope Jenner does it right.' You know, Jenner can do it the way Jenner wants to do it. If he wants to do it making a documentary, then do it."
So does this mean there's an upside to the current frenzied coverage? "I’m not the authority [on that]; I'm just for people who want to make a change," Tambor told The Hollywood Reporter. "We live in a 24[-hour] media cycle, and people love to raise fear and like to raise prejudice. There are really, really drastic things happening right now in the environment, in international relations. Let’s get a perspective on this."
The tabloids have photographed Jenner’s changing appearance for months, including a TMZ report of Jenner hiking in a sweatshirt on a hot day in California, possibly to cover up his breast implants. His Adam’s apple appeared to be dwindling , his hair was getting longer and his fingernails were painted bright colors.
The former Olympian will discuss his transition in an interview with Diane Sawyer on April 24. The interview with Sawyer will be the first time Jenner will speak about his transition by a major news outlet. It's thought to be a preface for Jenner's docu-series that is expected to run on E! this year.
