The 20 Gay White Actors Who Play Trans Roles and Collect Awards
The conversation surrounding casting in Hollywood has evolved significantly regarding who should portray transgender characters on screen and stage. While the industry frequently awards cisgender actors for these performances, a specific subset of openly gay white actors has also taken on these complex roles. These performers have navigated the nuance of gender identity in their projects while garnering critical acclaim and prestige. The following list highlights established gay actors who have stepped into transgender or gender-bending roles that earned them recognition.
Matt Bomer
Matt Bomer took on the role of Freda Von Rhenburg in the film ‘Anything’. The story follows a grieving widower who moves to Los Angeles and forms an intimate bond with his transgender neighbor. Bomer worked with transgender consultants to prepare for the part despite the intense scrutiny regarding cisgender casting choices. The performance required him to explore deep themes of vulnerability and resilience within a marginalized community.
Lee Pace
Lee Pace delivered a breakout performance as Calpernia Addams in the television film ‘Soldier’s Girl’. The movie dramatizes the true story of a romance between a soldier and a transgender showgirl that leads to tragic consequences. Pace received a Golden Globe nomination for his sensitive and humanizing portrayal of Addams. His work in this film remains one of the most cited examples of a cisgender actor receiving major acclaim for a trans role.
Denis O’Hare
Denis O’Hare captivated audiences as Liz Taylor in the anthology series ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’. The character is a transgender bartender who becomes the heart and soul of the sinister Hotel Cortez. O’Hare worked closely with the writers to ensure the character possessed depth beyond the typical tropes associated with trans roles. He garnered a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for this standout performance.
John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell created and starred as the titular character in the film ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’. He plays a genderqueer rock singer who survives a botched sex change operation and tours the country with a band. The film won the Audience Award and Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Mitchell received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his electrifying performance.
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris stepped into the high heels of Hedwig for the Broadway production of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’. His portrayal of the East German transgender rocker brought a new level of commercial success and visibility to the character. Harris won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his work. The role demanded intense physical stamina and vocal range to capture the punk rock spirit of the show.
Andrew Rannells
Andrew Rannells also took over the lead role in the Broadway revival of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’. He brought a different energy to the character while maintaining the emotional core of the gender-bending protagonist. His performance was praised for its vocal prowess and comedic timing. Rannells successfully continued the legacy of the role following other high-profile actors in the same production.
Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming played the role of Desirée in the drama ‘The Runaway’. The character is a cross-dressing prostitute who becomes a maternal figure to the young protagonist in 1950s London. Cumming brought his signature blend of wit and pathos to the character while navigating the harsh realities of the era. He has also received immense acclaim for his gender-bending turn as the Emcee in ‘Cabaret’.
Ben Whishaw
Ben Whishaw portrayed multiple characters including Georgette in the sci-fi epic ‘Cloud Atlas’. Georgette is a female character who plays a key role in the segments set in 1930s Britain. The film required actors to play roles across different genders and races to emphasize the connectivity of souls. Whishaw has received critical praise for his chameleon-like ability to inhabit diverse characters throughout his career.
Harvey Fierstein
Harvey Fierstein famously played Edna Turnblad in the Broadway musical ‘Hairspray’. He won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of the gravel-voiced mother. The role involves performing entirely in drag while playing the character as a genuine woman rather than a caricature. Fierstein also wrote the book for the musical ‘La Cage aux Folles’ and starred in the revival as Albin.
Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane delivered an iconic performance as Albert in the comedy ‘The Birdcage’. Albert is a drag queen who performs as Starina and struggles to pass as a straight uncle for his son’s engagement. Lane received a Golden Globe nomination for his hilarious and touching portrayal. The film remains a cultural touchstone for its depiction of gay family dynamics and drag culture.
Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett played the dual role of Camilla Fritton and Carnaby Fritton in the film ‘St. Trinian’s’. As Camilla he portrayed the unconventional headmistress of a chaotic school for girls. The role required him to perform entirely in drag while delivering a comedic yet authoritative performance. Everett leaned into the absurdity of the character to help revitalize the classic film franchise.
Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller portrayed a young version of the surrealist muse Amanda Lear in the film ‘DalÃland’. Lear is a model and singer known for her gender ambiguity and close relationship with Salvador DalÃ. Miller brought an enigmatic quality to the role that mirrored the mystery surrounding Lear’s real life. The casting highlighted the fluid nature of gender that defined the artist’s inner circle.
Brian Bedford
Brian Bedford garnered significant acclaim for his performance as Lady Bracknell in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. He directed the production and played the formidable matriarch with dry wit and commanding stage presence. Bedford won a Tony Award for Best Costume Design and received a nomination for Best Leading Actor. His performance was praised for treating the character with dignity rather than relying on camp.
Scott Thompson
Scott Thompson played numerous female and gender-bending characters as a member of the sketch troupe ‘The Kids in the Hall’. His characters often included the Queen of England and various suburban mothers. Thompson used his openly gay identity to bring a unique perspective to these roles during a conservative era in television. The troupe received multiple Gemini Awards for their groundbreaking comedy.
John McCrea
John McCrea originated the role of Jamie New in the musical ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’. The character is a teenage aspiring drag queen who overcomes bullying to attend his prom in a dress. McCrea received an Olivier Award nomination for his joyful and defiant performance. The musical has since been adapted into a film and continues to be a celebration of self-expression.
Charles Busch
Charles Busch wrote and starred in the film ‘Die, Mommie, Die!’ playing the role of Angela Arden. Angela is a fallen pop star trapped in an unhappy marriage who resorts to murder. Busch won a Special Jury Prize for Performance at the Sundance Film Festival. His career is defined by his ability to channel classic Hollywood leading ladies through a camp lens.
Willam Belli
Willam Belli played the character Emerald in the critically acclaimed film ‘A Star Is Born’. Emerald is a drag queen who works at the bar where Lady Gaga’s character Ally performs. Belli brought authenticity to the role as a working drag performer and reality television veteran. The film received massive global success and highlighted the drag club environment as a space for artistic discovery.
Taylor Mac
Taylor Mac is a theater artist who uses drag and gender performance as a primary medium of expression. Mac created and starred in ‘A 24-Decade History of Popular Music’ which serves as a subjective history of the United States. The performance earned Mac a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The work deconstructs gender norms while exploring the social history of the country.
Christopher Sieber
Christopher Sieber played the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull in the Broadway production of ‘Matilda the Musical’. The role is traditionally played by a male actor to emphasize the character’s imposing and brute physical nature. Sieber received praise for his ability to balance physical comedy with genuine menace. His performance contributed to the show’s long and successful run on stage.
Joey Arias
Joey Arias is a performance artist and actor known for channeling the spirit of Billie Holiday through drag. He starred as the Mistress of Seduction in the Cirque du Soleil production ‘Zumanity’ in Las Vegas. Arias has built a career on bending gender lines through cabaret and theater. His unique vocal styling and avant-garde aesthetic have made him a legend in the downtown New York art scene.
Please leave a comment to let us know which of these performances you found the most compelling or if we missed any of your favorites.