Alan Cumming revealed in a podcast interview with Monica Lewinsky that his ex-wife Hilary Lyon initially expressed disbelief when he confided in her about being a victim of childhood abuse by his father. In his memoir “Not My Father’s Son,” Cumming shared details of the emotional and physical abuse he endured at the hands of his dad, Alex Cumming. He spoke about the difficulties of being believed and the impact of not being supported by those closest to him during such a vulnerable time.
Cumming discussed his relationship with Lyon during the podcast interview, mentioning that she doubted his claims of childhood abuse initially and even suggested that he used it as an excuse to get out of their marriage. He expressed that his ex-wife’s lack of belief was hurtful and that he needed to be surrounded by people who believed and supported him during that challenging time in his life. Cumming and Lyon were married from 1985 to 1993, and he later remarried artist Grant Shaffer in a London civil ceremony in 2007.
Reflecting on his past relationships and personal growth, Cumming shared that he had a lot of failed relationships before meeting Shaffer and was ready for a healthy and open partnership. He acknowledged that marrying Lyon as a young man was partly driven by a desire for stability in his life, which he now knows is not a healthy reason to enter into marriage. By the time he met Shaffer, Cumming had done a lot of therapy and was ready to be honest and vulnerable in a new relationship.
Despite struggles in his personal life, Cumming has been open about his sexuality and living life authentically. He has identified as bisexual for many years and has embraced his attractions to both men and women. The actor has spoken openly about his sexuality in interviews and believes that being true to himself is essential for his happiness and success. Cumming celebrated his 60th birthday in January and shared on social media that he lives life on his own terms, not conforming to societal expectations.
In addition to his personal life, Cumming has had a successful career in Hollywood, with notable roles in TV shows like “The Good Wife” and films like “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” and “Eyes Wide Shut.” Since 2023, he has been hosting the popular Peacock show “The Traitors,” a mafia-style game with celebrity competitors and a prize of up to $250,000. Cumming’s openness about his personal struggles, relationships, and sexuality has endeared him to fans and allowed him to live authentically and on his own terms in both his personal and professional life.
