I’ve come to the understanding that I’m one of the few horror journalists who enjoy pop culture, top 40 music and other mainstream medias. This, usually, means I’m tuned into all the “hot topics” taking over the web. Two weeks ago, though, I kind of browsed over the story of an actor discussing his HIV diagnosis on “The View” and receiving rather unpleasant treatment from co-hosts Candance Cameron Bure and Raven-Symone. Now, after watching AMC’s FearFest all day, I’ve come to the realization that actor Danny Pintauro was the one being grilled on live-television by fellow former child stars. Horror fans will recognize Danny Pintauro as Tad Trenton in Lewis Teague’s cult classic Cujo (1983). Pintaruo spent most of Cujo trapped inside an old yellow car with scream queen Dee Wallace as they try to escape the bite of a monstrous Saint-Bernard. He also appeared in lesser known scifi-thriller Timestalkers (1987).
After co-starring in 196 episodes of “Who’s The Boss?” from 1984 to 1992, Danny Pintauro took a much needed break from Hollywood. Shortly after, the actor was blackmailed into coming out as gay by The National Inquirer in 1997 at age 21. Although he booked guest spots on “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Laugh Track Mash-ups” in 2010, Pintauro preferred to stick with the quiet life and worked a normal job managing a restaurant in Las Vegas. Five seconds of limelight would come knocking again when the Cujo star appeared on the September 26 episode of “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” and divulged that he was HIV positive. Overnight he became a national sensation due in part to his status as a former actor and his confident, outspoken views on the topic.
In an announcement that moved “Charmed” star Alyssa Milano to tears, Pintauro, now 39, spoke with Oprah and then the ladies of “The View” in candid interviews detailing his struggle with the immunity disease that has plagued him for 12 years. He blamed mixing drugs and sex as the means of contracting the disease, while also highlighting that the combination is one of the most common ways that gay men contract HIV. His personal diagnosis came after an STD check-up, something he maturely and responsibly pursued every six months. Contrary to popular believe, HIV is not the death sentence anymore that it was even just fifteen years ago. Pintauro is still enjoying an active, healthy life with his husband of one year, Will Tabares. And with his second brush with fame, he’s not looking to get back into acting anytime soon, instead opting to go on tour around the country speaking on the topic of HIV, unsafe sex and drug use with hopes of eventually working for Elton John’s AIDS Foundation or GLAAD.
So, here’s my question… Why haven’t any of the horror sites and blogs picked up this story?
I’ve always said that I’m extremely proud to be a senior editor at HorrorSociety.com because the name alone boasts a terrific sense of pride in the community that surrounds horror films. Though we may argue on certain topics like remakes and sales figures, we are a tight knit community bound together due to our place as the red headed step children of cinema viewers. We’re often looked at as psychopaths or devil worshipers because of our passion for the macabre. Because of this we always support each other. We support writers, directors, producers, special effects artists, actors and actresses and every aspect of film-making that makes the horror genre so great, whether it’s in support of Hollywood hits or low budget independent titles. And we support our differences, too.
So, why aren’t more people within the community applauding Pintauro?
I don’t think the stigma around homosexuality is prevalent anymore within the horror community, I mean, just look at the outpouring of donations for Mark Patton’s Scream, Queen documentary. We, obviously, support women in the LGBT community baring some skin in our favorite movies and male characters who love the same sex are starting to pop up now more than ever – think “American Horror Story,” Chill: The Killing Games, Hellbent, Scream 4 and Venom. I, honestly, think the stigma in this scenario comes from the lack of education that still abounds in regards to HIV and AIDS. Did you know that the diseases are not the same thing in most respects? Do you know anything important about HIV and AIDS besides how you can catch it and the demographics who contract it the most? Take the opportunity to educate yourself now and let a horror star be the one to teach you.
This is why I applaud Danny Pintauro for coming out with his HIV diagnosis and hopes of pursuing strong advocacy in spreading knowledge in the disease. Not only can he spread awareness within all demographics, but he has the power to spread awareness in our genre of film particularly. Horror blogs and sites are the go to source for horror film and television news, reviews and interviews, but maybe for a second we can team with Pintauro to use our time and audience to do something good, to support and inspire others, to break stigmas and preach acceptance, to help one another and be the best society we know how to be. I know his story has got me thinking. Whether he’s wailing from Saint-Bernard attacks, starring in an iconic sitcom or being a respectable, inspiring adult with hopes of helping others with his story, Danny Pintauro is truly noteworthy.
You can follow the man on Twitter. He’s currently very vocal and responsive to fans and posts a lot of good reading material in regards to HIV awareness, prevention and treatment. Follow him by clicking here.
