Jonathan Bailey to step way from acting to focus on his LGBTQ+ charity, The Shameless Fund
– 2 min read
Acclaimed British actor Jonathan Bailey has announced he will be stepping away from acting in 2026 to focus on his LGBTQ+ charity, The Shameless Fund.
Bailey, 37, who rose to international fame through his role as Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s Bridgerton, and more recently starred in Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked, shared the news in a candid interview with British GQ. “I’ve been working solidly for about three years now, which has been amazing and mind-blowing,” he said. “But with everything happening in the world right now, I’m going to stop acting for a bit next year and just focus on The Shameless Fund”.
Founded in 2024, The Shameless Fund aims to support LGBTQ+ communities globally, with a mission to help individuals “live freely and authentically.” Bailey cited a shocking statistic that only 1p of every £100 raised in the UK goes to LGBTQ+ causes, calling it a driving force behind his decision to take action.
Jonathan Bailey releases “slutty little glasses” to raise funds for his new LGBTQ+ charity
Jonathan Bailey has transformed a viral fashion moment into a charitable initiative. The openly gay British actor has partnered with London-based eyewear brand Cubitts to launch a limited-edition pair of sunglasses called Loomis, inspired by the now-iconic frames he wore during the Jurassic World: Rebirth press tour. Fans affectionately dubbed
Graham Robson
The actor’s hiatus comes after a whirlwind few years, including an Emmy-nominated performance in Fellow Travelers, a starring role in Wicked as Fiyero, and a blockbuster turn in Jurassic World Rebirth, which grossed over $800 million worldwide.
Bailey’s break won’t be idle. He plans to focus on staffing and expanding the reach of The Shameless Fund, including a high-profile collaboration with British eyewear brand Cubitts. The partnership has already produced a line of pink-framed glasses - dubbed “Loomis” after his Jurassic World character - with 50% of proceeds going to the charity.
“The colour pink is so important,” Bailey explained. “It’s an expression of joy and happiness, and it’s incredibly flattering - a reason why I wore it so much during the Wicked press tour”.
Bailey’s decision has been met with widespread support from fans and fellow actors alike, including Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo and Scarlett Johansson, both of whom have publicly backed The Shameless Fund.
While Bailey has confirmed he will return for Bridgerton Season 4, his focus for the foreseeable future will be on making a tangible difference off-screen. “Not only is it fun and creative, it can also make a real difference,” he said of his new direction.
