The star of stage and screen is probably best known for his performance as Max Bialystock in the mega-musical The Producers.

Born in Jersey City, Lane moved to New York and quickly landed biggish roles in Waiting for Godot, Fiddler on the Roof, and Moon over Miami; inside of a decade, he was headlining big-time musicals like Guys and Dolls. He started taking occasional movie roles like Robin Williams's character's queeny partner in The Birdcage (surely a stretch) or lending his voice to The Lion King. Despite his varied resume, Lane's tombstone will probably lead with his 2001/2002 turn as Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks's Broadway cash machine The Producers with Matthew Broderick. Since, he's content to pick up bit roles on TV shows like Modern Family and children's films.

Lane didn't publicly address his sexuality—although we all had vague suspicions—until the death of Matthew Shepard prompted him to come out. Like his father, Lane has sadly struggled with the bottle. He says he was an alcoholic for years before finally entering rehab and sobering up, and he now donates to alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers in Manhattan. [Image via Getty]