Actor, playwright and AIDS activist Michael Kearns has died at age 76

Key points

• Michael Kearns, one of Hollywood's first openly gay performers, has died at age 76. He died on Monday, October 5, six days before he was due to return to Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre for a special performance.
• No cause of death has been announced. Kearns publicly revealed he was HIV positive in 1991, saying people with HIV should not feel ashamed.
• He was best known for theatre work that challenged homophobia and censorship. He is survived by his adopted daughter, Tia Katherine.