Hall Protests Casting Non-Disabled Actors In Disabled Roles

The popular new Fox series Glee features a young paraplegic character named Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale). The show has earned some criticism for choosing a non-disabled actor to play the role. “I think there’s a fear of litigation, that a person with disabilities might slow a production down, fear that viewers might be uncomfortable,” said CSI: Crime Scene Investigation actor and disability rights activist Robert David Hall (Dr Al Robbins). However, he argued, that simply isn’t true. “I’ve made my living as an actor for 30 years and I walk on two artificial legs,” he said.

Glee executive producer Brad Falchuk said the show was simply looking for the best performers possible. “We brought in anyone: white, black, Asian, in a wheelchair,” he explained. “It was very hard to find people who could really sing, really act, and have that charisma you need on TV.” Falchuk understands why the disabled community is concerned, but he stands by the choice of McHale to play Artie: “[I]t’s hard to say no to someone that talented.”

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