Michael Kearns, a pioneering actor and AIDS activist known for being one of the first openly gay actors to publicly disclose his HIV-positive status, died on October 5 at the age of 76. The announcement was made by filmmaker and professor Roland Palencia, who noted that Kearns had experienced multiple hospital visits in recent months before his passing.

Born on January 8, 1950, and raised in St. Louis, Kearns discovered his passion for acting at the age of eight. He later studied at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, graduating in 1972. Early in his career, Kearns confronted the challenges of being openly gay in the entertainment industry, where actors often faced discrimination and were pressured to conceal their sexuality. Despite the obstacles, he remained steadfast in his identity and advocacy.

Kearns’s career spanned stage, film, and television, with roles in projects such as "Body Double," "Nine Lives," "Street Asylum," and "Beverly Hills, 90210." In 1991, he made television history by revealing his HIV-positive status during an appearance on NBC’s "A Closer Look," followed by an interview on "Entertainment Tonight." The following year, he appeared on the ABC series "Life Goes On" portraying a character with HIV, further advancing representation of the epidemic on mainstream media.

In addition to his acting, Kearns was a prolific author of theater books, including “T-Cells & Sympathy” and “Acting = Life,” both of which received Lambda Literary Award nominations. His theatrical work often addressed themes of AIDS, identity, and social justice. Notable productions included solo performances such as “Intimacies” and “More Intimacies,” where he portrayed multiple characters affected by AIDS, as well as “Rock” and “Going In: Once Upon a Time in South Africa.” His work garnered critical acclaim, including a Drama-Logue Award, a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award nomination, and the Robert Chesley Playwrighting Award honoring lifetime achievement in LGBTQ+ theater.

Kearns was also deeply involved in activism and community engagement. He served as artistic associate at the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles, artist-in-residence at Housing Works, and was the founder and artistic director of QueerWise, a spoken word collective. His advocacy efforts earned him recognition such as the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund’s Victory Award in 1999 and honors from the ACLU of Southern California.

In 1992, Kearns married his husband, Philip Juwig, who died that same year. Three years later, Kearns adopted a daughter, Tia Katherine Kearns, with whom he shared a close bond. In interviews, Tia often spoke about the influence of her father's openness and political activism on her own identity and worldview.

Throughout his life, Michael Kearns was regarded as a courageous figure who used his art and voice to challenge stigma and inspire change within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community. He is survived by his daughter.