By the time I first met Gay entertainment writer William Keck at a 2007 conference in San Diego, he was already a respected journalist for USA Today. Later, he became a columnist for TV Guide before serving as a segment producer for the Hallmark Channel's Home and Family, where he gained fame for his reunion shows.

In his new memoir, When You Step Upon a Star, he reveals his secret past as a sleazy tabloid reporter for the National Enquirer, all while being in the closet. The book is hysterical, provocative, and a journey to redemption, as Keck slowly becomes the one tabloid reporter you can trust with your secrets. Keck's own biggest secret was that coming out as a Gay man would be the greatest first step.

Here are highlights from our Zoom interview:

On exposing secrets
"I lived a closeted life while exposing celebrities' secrets," Keck said, "often hiding behind them. When I first started, people joked I'd cover stories about three-headed aliens and Elvis sightings. Now, those sensational tales are considered world news. I was sent to Vail, Colorado, to follow John Kennedy Jr. to check if Carolyn Bessette was pregnant. They even dispatched me to Hawaii to interview Adam West's daughter in prison. We gathered facts and then embellished them for sensationalism, like with the Susan Olsen story about her DUIs."

Highlights
"The first section focuses on death, deeply influenced by my father's passing and my obsession with obituaries. I collected celebrity obituaries, intertwining this passion with my own struggles.

"The second part, 'Down and Dirty," dives into my sexual escapades [in my 30s, as I began to come out]. I recount wild stories, like being at a nudist colony with Tammy Faye Bakker and a memorable encounter with Kelsey Grammer in Vegas, where I hired a hooker to verify a rumor about his fiancée.

"I also explore my dual losses of virginity: first with a girl named Lauren, who recently reached out about our past, and then with an actor from Santa Barbara. The chapter is filled with outrageous tales.

"The third chapter features my encounters with divas, like Joan Collins and Victoria Principal. I even got a nose job to meet Victoria! I share embarrassing moments, such as a botched interview with Marcia Cross after nude photos leaked.

"In the final section, I reflect on my own quest for happiness and stability as a Gay man, recounting stories of crashing weddings and sneaking into celebrity hospital rooms."

He also added: "I once infested the Enquirer offices with maggots - my dramatic exit should have mirrored a movie scene!"

Also: "The Enquirer often sent me on bizarre missions, including two days as an 80-year-old man to see if I experienced ageism, and wrestling an 800-pound bear for a stunt where I had a marshmallow in my mouth."

When celebs controlled the narrative
"Celebrities often controlled their narratives. For instance, after crashing Lindsay Wagner's father's funeral, I saw how they promoted their jewelry line instead of focusing on the tragedy. I recount an instance where Adam West thanked me for an interview, cleverly turning a personal crisis into a heartwarming headline."

"I can't confirm or deny anything, but I do name most celebrities in the book -- except for two. One involves a Melrose Place actor who my coworker claimed he saw engaging in a lewd act. The other is a celebrity who beat me up when I approached him about extramarital allegations. I can't identify him due to a past settlement, but instead of his photo, I used a picture of me wrestling a bear."

Saved for a rainy day
"The Enquirer kept files on stars like Bill Cosby, who knew that cooperating with us could help protect his secrets. They had a hidden trove of scandals that they'd only reveal when necessary.

"I received many strange items that never made it to print. Once, I got nude photos of Don Johnson in a hotel room, reading USA Today. The Enquirer didn't publish them but saved them for a rainy day. I still have a copy of those photos hidden away."

Revelations
"One of the most enjoyable experiences was playing detective. I was sent to Northern California to find the family of Larry Hagman's liver donor. I found the woman whose partner had died in a car accident and informed her that her deceased partner's liver was now inside Larry Hagman. I think she appreciated the connection. It seemed like Larry may have paid her off to stop talking to me, as she suddenly stopped returning my calls. I describe it as a weird version of Ed McMahon showing up with a giant check -- only I was bringing news that led to a payday for her. Interestingly, I appear in both Larry Hagman's and Kelsey Grammer's books, where Kelsey calls me 'the king of the flesh.'"

Later, Keck said, "I never revealed my past until now. After the Enquirer, I worked for the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and TV Guide, where I didn't have the courage to come clean. While interviewing Kelsey Grammer on the red carpet, I almost admitted my identity but ended up saying I was 'William Peck.'

"At Home and Family, where I produced celebrity segments, I focused on making their experience pleasant. I never told Candace Cameron that I was at her wedding, fearing she'd freak out.

"The only person who asked not to work with me was Nicolette Sheridan, likely due to the stories in the Desperate Housewives chapter."

Worst experience
"My worst experience was being beaten up by an actor. I also discuss being molested by Richard Mulligan, the actor from Soap and Empty Nest. When I was in my early 20s, I worked as a security guard to get access to award shows. During a rehearsal for the Emmys, I met Richard, whom I admired. After chatting, he unexpectedly grabbed my crotch and winked. Since he has passed away, I included an essay by his Soap co-star, Diana Canova, about that moment.

"Additionally, Bruce Willis once threatened to burn down my house, which is mentioned in the book. His Moonlighting co-star, Cybill Shepherd, also contributed an essay discussing Bruce's intentions."

Biggest regret
"My biggest regret stems from my first assignment at the Enquirer. I was told to follow Brad Weisberg, who fabricated a deathbed interview with Dack Rambo, a Dallas actor dying of AIDS. I was horrified to learn that this was how the Enquirer operated. Dack was a hero for coming out as HIV-positive, and it felt disgusting to misrepresent his story. I tried to have my name removed from the piece but failed. I later apologized to Dack's co-star, Sherie J. Wilson, and she graciously wrote an essay honoring his legacy instead."

Biggest crushes
"My biggest crushes were Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner from The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. Watching them together was a formative experience for me. John Ritter was another huge crush; I met him briefly before he passed. He switched wristbands with me at an event, embodying his Three's Company character's playful spirit. I also admired the character Steven Carrington from Dynasty, who influenced my understanding of being Gay. When my mother remarked on Steven's beauty and said, "What a waste," I felt I was a waste for being Gay. Thankfully, my mom eventually became a strong supporter of my identity."

Biggest surprise
"I had a good relationship with Marc Cherry until he wrote a controversial storyline on Desperate Housewives. When I addressed it, he felt betrayed and created a character named Dr. Keck, a neighborhood pedophile, as a jab at me. While I found the situation humorous, I wouldn't want to be portrayed as such."

Making peace
"Near the end of the book, I recount an experience on the Staten Island Ferry, where I saw an issue of the Enquirer featuring damaging stories about celebrities, including Rosie O'Donnell and Joan Lunden. Seeing Raquel Welch looking vulnerable made me realize I didn't want to profit from others' pain. This led me to enroll in the Landmark Forum, where I first came out to Judith Light, a strong advocate for the Gay community.

"I believe I'm coming full circle, though there's still more to go. At the end of each chapter, I include a lesson learned, blending serious and humorous insights. We all make mistakes, and I aim to share lessons that others can apply in their lives, whether related to work, relationships, or my own peculiar experiences."