Johnathon Schaech Explains Ellen DeGeneres Dating Rumors

Johnathon-Schaech-explains-Ellen-DeGeneres-dating-rumors
Johnathon Schaech at the GLSEN Respect Awards on October 17, 2014. The actor explained Ellen DeGeneres dating rumors in a Reddit AMA on Monday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

LOS ANGELES, April 4 (UPI) — Johnathon Schaech is opening up about his past with Ellen DeGeneres.

The 46-year-old actor explained his relationship with the 58-year-old television personality in a Reddit AMA on Monday. Schaech and DeGeneres appeared to be romantic in the 1990s before DeGeneres came out as a lesbian in 1997.

“My manager asked me to accompany her to events,” the star revealed. “[Ellen] was scared people would not watch the show, her sitcom, “Ellen,” because she was gay. It was an honor.”

Schaech and DeGeneres walked several red carpets together, including the Los Angeles premiere of “Coneheads,” and even held hands at the 1995 Screen Actors Guild Awards. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” host came out in the April 14, 1997, issue of Time.

Ellen DeGeneres (L) and wife Portia de Rossi at the GLAAD Media Awards on March 21, 2015. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Ellen DeGeneres L and wife Portia de Rossi at the GLAAD Media Awards on March 21 2015 File Photo by Jim RuymenUPI

“I grew up with two gay aunts and a gay uncle,” Schaech said. “My aunt died of cancer. She was a proud woman and she didn’t get proper care because she didn’t want to be away from her partner. Hospitals didn’t allow partners the same rights as a spouse.”

“When you have someone you love in your life that is gay or a lesbian it’s very clear that they deserve the same rights as anyone else,” he asserted. “If you don’t love Ellen now — you don’t watch her show. She’s a great example for the human race.”

Schaech also discussed his relationships with his ex-wives, actress Christina Applegate and singer Jana Kramer. He is now married to Julie Solomon and shares 2-year-old son Camden with the music and book publicist.

“Jana Kramer and I had a wedding but we were never married,” he said of their short romance and abrupt split. “She wasn’t ready to be married. She wanted a singing career and that was what she was focused on … it all worked out for the best.”

Schaech is known for playing Sean Walker on Showtime series “Ray Donovan” and Sydney Sherman on the History Channel miniseries “Texas Rising.” He will debut as Jonah Hex on the April 14 episode of “Legends of Tomorrow.”

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