"There was an actor I was working with who wasn't as comfortable that he was playing someone who was gay," he recalled. "I wanted, in an effort to show that [his character Matt Fi

Savant found it "shocking" that the unnamed actor had such a negative reaction to the kiss. Doug Savant is opening up about a "shocking" encounter with a Melrose Place actor who was not thrilled about playing a gay character,

Melrose Place's Doug Savant recalls why he evaded questions regarding his sexuality while playing gay character Matt Fielding on the teen drama.

"I was not going to make my living playing a gay man, but then say, 'Oh, I would never be associated with that.'"

Doug Savant portrayed Matt Fielding across six of seven seasons on Melrose Place in the 1990s, the only major gay character on television at the time -- and his awareness of the importance of that was a huge factor in why he kept his real sexuality private.

Melrose Place' featured one of the only gay main characters on TV when it premiered in 1992.