Zachary Quinto: I'm a gay man

(CBS) Zachary Quinto has publicly revealed that he's gay.

The actor, best known for playing Spock in the recently film adaptation of "Star Trek" and the villainous Sylar on TV's "Heroes," came out in an interview with New York magazine, and discussed his decision to do so in a blog post on his website.

Quinto first referred to himself as "a gay man" while talking about his role in the recent off-Broadway revival of "Angels in America," where he portrayed a man who abandons his AIDS-stricken boyfriend.

"It was the most challenging thing I've ever done as an actor. And the most rewarding," he told New York of playing Louis Ironson.

"Doing that play made me realize how fortunate I am to have been born when I was born. And to not have to witness the decimation of an entire generation of amazingly talented and otherwise vital men," he added. "And at the same time, as a gay man, it made me feel like I -- there's still so much work to be done. There's still so many things that need to be looked at and addressed."

He referenced his sexuality a second time while discussing the recent suicide of bullied gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer, telling the magazine: "And again, as a gay man I look at that and say there's a hopelessness that surrounds it, but as a human being I look at it and say 'Why? Where's this disparity coming from, and why can't we, as a culture and society, dig deeper to examine that?'" he told the mag. "We're terrified of facing ourselves."

In a blog posted on his website Sunday, Quinto explained why he decided to come out.

"In light of [Rodemeyer's] death - it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it - is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality," he wrote.

"I believe in the power of intention to change the landscape of our society - and it is my intention to live an authentic life of compassion and integrity and action," he continued. "Jamey Rodemeyer's life changed mine. And while his death only makes me wish that I had done this sooner - I am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me."