Luke Macfarlane: Biography, Partner, Daughter & Career

Best known for his breakout role as Scotty Wandell on the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters, Luke Macfarlane has built a career across network television, holiday films, and the stage. He came out publicly in 2008 while still on the show, making him one of the first openly gay actors playing a gay character on primetime TV.

Full Name: Luke Macfarlane (Thomas Luke Macfarlane) ·
Date of Birth: January 19, 1980 ·
Occupation: Actor, former singer ·
Known For: Scotty Wandell on Brothers & Sisters ·
Sexual Orientation: Gay ·
Partner: Hig Roberts

Ten facts sourced from verified coverage, one pattern: Macfarlane's public career sits alongside a deliberately private home life.

Is Luke Macfarlane LGBTQ?

Yes, Luke Macfarlane is openly gay. He publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation in 2008 during an interview with The Advocate, while he was starring as Scotty Wandell on Brothers & Sisters — one of the few gay characters on network television at the time. He has said in interviews that he felt compelled to speak openly because same-sex marriage was still illegal in many places, and staying silent no longer felt right (CBC interview with Macfarlane).

When did Luke Macfarlane come out?

• He came out publicly in 2008, midway through his run on Brothers & Sisters (CBC interview with Macfarlane).
• The Brothers & Sisters series ran from 2006 to 2011, meaning he spent the majority of the show's run as an openly gay actor playing a gay character.

What did he say about his sexuality?

• "I never wanted to make a big deal about it, but I also didn't want to hide," Macfarlane told The Advocate in 2008.
• He has since reflected that coming out removed a "weight" and allowed him to work more authentically (CBC interview with Macfarlane).

The implication: Macfarlane's coming-out story matters not just as a personal milestone but as a professional one. He was, for several years, one of the most visible openly gay actors on American network television — a role he carried alongside his on-screen character.

Is Luke Macfarlane in a relationship?

Yes, Luke Macfarlane is in a committed relationship with Hig Roberts, a former Olympic alpine skier and two-time NCAA champion. The couple met around 2018 through mutual friends and became engaged in 2019. They welcomed their daughter Tess via surrogacy in June 2023 (ABC News).

Who is Luke Macfarlane's partner?

• Hig Roberts is a retired World Cup alpine skier who won NCAA championships in slalom and giant slalom while at the University of Denver (ABC News).
• Roberts competed for the U.S. Ski Team and represented the United States in international competitions before retiring from competitive skiing.

How long have Hig Roberts and Luke Macfarlane been together?

• The couple met in 2018 through mutual friends and began their relationship that year.
• They became engaged in 2019, though they have not publicly shared the exact date or details of the proposal.
• As of 2025, they have been together for approximately seven years.

The pattern: Macfarlane and Roberts have chosen a notably low-profile relationship. No joint red-carpet appearances, no coordinated Instagram posts — the few details available come from carefully timed announcements, suggesting a deliberate boundary between their private life and Macfarlane's public career.

Who is Luke Macfarlane's twin sister?

Luke Macfarlane has a twin sister named Ruth Scott (née Macfarlane). She is a physician living in Calgary, Alberta. The two are close, and Macfarlane has shared family stories involving her on late-night television (The Late Show with James Corden).

What does Luke Macfarlane's sister do?

• Ruth Scott is a medical doctor practicing in Calgary, Alberta (The Late Show with James Corden).
• Macfarlane has described a family incident where he helped Ruth recover her engagement ring and wedding ring from a freezing river — a story he told on The Late Show with James Corden.

Are there other siblings?

• Macfarlane also has an older sister named Rebecca.
• He was raised in London, Ontario, Canada, alongside his two sisters.

What this means: Macfarlane's family background is notably non-Hollywood. His twin sister's career in medicine reinforces that his path into acting was his own choice, not a family tradition — and he remains grounded in his Canadian roots.

Is actor Luke Macfarlane related to Seth MacFarlane?

Despite the similar last name, Luke Macfarlane is not related to Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and Ted. The two share a surname with one letter's difference, but they have no known familial connection. Luke has addressed the confusion lightheartedly in interviews, noting that people often assume they are brothers or cousins. The last name resemblance is coincidental — the Macfarlane spelling (with an "e") is Scottish in origin, while MacFarlane (with a capital "F") is the Seth MacFarlane spelling, but even that distinction is not a reliable indicator of relation.

Why do people think they are related?

• The spelling of "Macfarlane" vs. "MacFarlane" is nearly identical.
• Both are well-known public figures in entertainment, though in entirely different fields — one in live-action TV and film, the other in animation and comedy.

What has Luke said about the confusion?

• Macfarlane has joked in interviews that he gets asked about Seth MacFarlane "all the time."
• He clarified there is no family tie — the similar name is simply a coincidence.

The trade-off: The constant comparison is a minor nuisance, but it also keeps his name recognizable alongside a much more famous MacFarlane. In a peculiar way, the confusion has probably helped some viewers remember his name when scanning cast lists.

How old is Luke Macfarlane's daughter Tess?

Luke Macfarlane's daughter Tess Eleanor Macfarlane was born on June 4, 2023 (ABC News). As of early 2025, she is approximately one and a half years old. Macfarlane and his partner Hig Roberts welcomed Tess via surrogacy. In a November 2023 interview, Macfarlane said his first Christmas with his five-month-old daughter would be "very exciting" (People magazine interview).

Who is the mother of Luke Macfarlane's daughter?

• Macfarlane has not publicly identified the mother of his daughter Tess.
• The couple welcomed Tess via surrogacy, as reported by multiple outlets (Nicki Swift).
• Macfarlane and Roberts have deliberately kept this detail private, and no further information has been publicly released.

Is Tess his only child?

• Yes, Tess Eleanor Macfarlane appears to be his only child as of early 2025.
• No announcements of additional children have been made.

Why this matters: Macfarlane's decision to keep Tess's mother's identity private is consistent with his overall approach to family life. He shares what he wants to share — the joy of fatherhood, the milestone moments — and withholds what he considers private. For fans and media, that boundary is the most notable thing about his parenting story.

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

The distinction between what is confirmed and what remains unknown underscores Macfarlane's careful management of his public image.

Quotes from Luke Macfarlane

"I never wanted to make a big deal about it, but I also didn't want to hide."

— Luke Macfarlane, on coming out, The Advocate, 2008

In a 2020 interview with People, Macfarlane said he met Hig Roberts through mutual friends and it just clicked. In November 2023, he told People that he was excited to spend his first Christmas with his daughter Tess. In a 2023 ABC News interview, Macfarlane said becoming a father is his greatest pride.

Related reading

• Morgan Kohan: Natural Redhead, Wig Use & Career Facts — Another Hallmark Channel actor profile, relevant for fans of the network's regular cast.
• Lee Pace: 6'5" Height, Husband, Career, and More Facts — A parallel profile of an openly gay actor navigating public and private life.

These related profiles offer further insight into Hallmark actors and their personal lives.

Frequently asked questions