Gay comedian and actor Jason Stuart can increasingly be seen in TV sitcoms (“George Lopez”) and dramas (“House”), as well as in movies. His latest movie role, as office busybody Clayton in Coffee Date, allows him to show both his comedic and his serious sides. He shared those sides with us in a recent interview.

Gay & Lesbian Times: Coffee Date started out as a short film a few years ago. Had you seen the original before signing on to do the feature-length version?

Jason Stuart: Yes. I saw it at a film festival. I am an indie film nut. And it’s a great place to meet guys [laughs].

GLT: Have you ever been on a coffee date? If so, how did it go?

JS: Oh my god, yes! I have been dating so much it’s like a second career. I am looking for a smart, sexy, honest, good man. I know what you’re thinking: Good luck! But I think he is out there. I just don’t know what he looks like yet.

GLT: How do you feel about Internet dating?

JS: I like to see a man, feel, touch, taste. Oops, I think I’m giving away too much. But to answer the question, I am open to it.

GLT: In Coffee Date, you play Clayton, the office yenta. Is that a role you feel comfortable playing or was it a stretch for you?

JS: He was great fun to play. I think of him as a worker bee who only listens to half of what folks say and has a boring boyfriend and wants some excitement. But at the end of the film he is the voice of reason. That’s what I really liked about him. He was a very multi- dimensional character.

GLT: That’s true. We see Clayton shift gears late in the movie and show his serious side. He has a great quote attributed to his grandmother that goes “a stiff prick has no conscience.” Would you agree with that sentiment?

JS: Yes. I have made a number of mistakes with men. Some of them took years to get out of my head. And now I am hopeful that Mr. Right comes into my life. Do you know anybody?

GLT: I’m afraid I don’t. There is a scene in an Indian restaurant where Clayton is having lunch with Todd and he makes fun of something on the menu. How do you feel about Indian cuisine?

JS: When we shot that scene, I didn’t know how I would play it. I was sitting right across from him and the words he kept saying, I did not believe him. So I chose to read the menu and added all these food items that I could not pronounce. I thought it would be funny! And no, I am not big on Indian food, sorry. But I like to play cowboys and Indians. Come to think of it, we filmed it in an Asian restaurant! [Laughs]

GLT: It’s amazing to see the way Wilson Cruz has developed over the years as both an actor and a young man. Was it difficult to keep your hands off of him?

JS: He was so hot! And such a wonderful actor. We have known each other for years and really got to hang more on the set. We had two scenes together, but I wanted more! I asked the director if he could write one where Kelly dates Clayton at the end of the film. But he said no – several times.

GLT: It was also great to see former teen diva Deborah Gibson in the movie as Melissa. She even says “fuck” in one scene, which verges on scandalous. What was it like working with her?

JS: She was just like a sweet Jewish girl from the neighborhood where I grew up. I also went to see her sing. I was not so familiar with her live show, and she was fabulous. She sang “I’m the Greatest Star” from Funny Girl and blew me away. And I’m a big Barbra fan, so that means lot.

GLT: Clayton and the other women in Todd’s office send him a male stripper for his birthday. Has anyone ever sent you a male stripper for a special occasion?

JS: I wish! But when I think about it, going to strippers is like shopping and not having any money. I hate to give someone money just ’cause they are better looking than me! What will happen to my self esteem?

GLT: That’s a good question. Without giving away the ending of Coffee Date, did the movie end the way you would have wanted it to or would you have ended it differently?

JS: No way! I wanted Wilson to fall in love with me. I mean, my character [laughs].

GLT: The last few years have been busy ones for you. Are you happy with where you are at this point in your career?

JS: Well, I always want to act more at this point in my life. I feel I have so much more to work on, creatively speaking. Recently, folks have just started to take notice of my work as an actor. This is after 30 films and 40 episodes of TV. Like they say, an overnight success takes forever! [Laughs]