There was a time not too long ago when an LGBT character's sexuality was either tragic or triumphant, the unequivocal focal point of the story. And actor Jonathan Groff doesn't miss those days.

He is proud to be an out gay man, but he's less enthused about being defined by that aspect of his identity.

"I guess I think of myself as an actor before I think of myself as a gay actor," says Groff, who plays gay in his new film C.O.G., now in select theaters and available on VOD. "So when I take work or when I look for work, it's really based on the projects."

That's not to say Groff shies away from LGBT-themed work. He got his big break on Broadway with the musical Spring Awakening, playing Melchior, a straight character, but the show was rife with queer themes and subtext.

In C.O.G., which is based on a short story by David Sedaris, Groff plays a gay man. The same is true of The Normal Heart, the HBO film he just finished shooting, and Looking, the upcoming HBO series he's currently filming in San Francisco.

But while he's three-for-three with his recent projects, Groff reiterates that he would never accept a job just because he'd be playing a gay character.

"It's kind of an added bonus, because obviously it's issues that I care about, and things that are great to be talked about," he reflects; but "really the only reason I accept work is based on script, character, cast, and director. It's those four elements for me. The fact that these last three things that I've done have had gay elements in them, that's great, too."

In particular, Groff is drawn to characters that are complex and well-rounded. Their sexual identity is important, but it's not their sole defining characteristic, and they eschew outdated stereotypes — and give Groff something substantial to work with.