I’m starting to suspect there are actually two actors called Thomas Dekker, both with brooding good looks and a dark edge, but whereas one of them is pure mainstream fodder, appearing in popcorn flicks like A Nightmare on Elm Street and next year’s Footloose remake, his identical namesake is an indie kid who takes risks and prefers challenging and meaty projects like Gregg Araki Cannes-winner Kaboom and just announced HBO film, Cinema Verite.

Cinema Verite is a fictionalised, behind-the-scenes look at the first reality show on US television which broadcast in 1973 and caused quite a stir. An American Family followed the ups and downs of Bill and Pat Loud and their children, one of whom, 20-year-old Lance (to be played by Dekker), sensationally came out during the series, making him probably the first visibly gay person on TV and eventually a gay icon for many.

As the show continued Lance Loud moved to New York to follow his passion for music and even became friends with his idol, Andy Warhol. After An American Family ended he became lead singer of the band Mumps as well as a successful columnist and public speaker, but he found it difficult dealing with his post-fame and became addicted to crystal meth.

The Loud family, including Lance, would make a return to TV for 2003′s Lance Loud! A Death in an American Family. Lance was by now very ill and the program followed him and his family up until his death from complications related to his drug addiction and HIV status.

Although a tragic end to Lance’s story, the part he played in breaking down barriers and bringing gay life into millions of living rooms can never be underestimated.