Trans Gamers Turned Actors Who Booked Roles Because of Their Streams

The way entertainment is made has changed a lot with the growth of online video. Many content creators are now moving from making videos at home to working in professional studios. A number of transgender individuals started by building an audience on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, and have now gone on to appear in movies, TV shows, and video games. Casting directors are increasingly looking to these platforms to find fresh, relatable talent. This list showcases thirty performers who used their online presence and streaming experience to launch their professional acting careers.

Abigail Thorn

Abigail Thorn first became well-known through her YouTube channel, ‘Philosophy Tube,’ where she made educational videos using creative sets and dramatic performances. This talent led to acting roles in the TV series ‘Django’ and ‘The Acolyte’ (a Star Wars series). She also wrote and performed in her own play, ‘The Prince,’ demonstrating her skills as an actress. Currently, she’s continuing to create online videos while also building a career in television and stage acting.

Kdin Jenzen

I first got to know Kdin Jenzen through her work with Rooster Teeth – she was a really engaging personality in a lot of their gaming content. That’s where she started, and it eventually led to professional voice acting. You might recognize her as the voice of May Marigold in ‘RWBY’, which is awesome! She’s also done work on ‘Genshin Impact’, bringing several characters to life. Beyond all that, she’s a big voice for making things fairer for voice actors in the industry, which I really respect.

Erika Ishii

Erika Ishii began her career hosting and appearing on camera for ‘Geek & Sundry,’ where she streamed tabletop games and gained a loyal following. This work led to a successful voice acting career in popular video games. She’s known for voicing characters like Valkyrie in ‘Apex Legends’ and Dr. Wenjie Evans in ‘Deathloop,’ showcasing her versatility as an actress. Ishii continues to connect the worlds of online streaming and high-profile video game development.

Lindsay Jones

Lindsay Jones first gained popularity in online gaming thanks to their work with Achievement Hunter and Rooster Teeth. Known for being funny and engaging while streaming, they transitioned into voice acting and became the voice of Ruby Rose in the popular series ‘RWBY’. They’ve also voiced characters in other shows like ‘Red vs. Blue’ and ‘Camp Camp’, and remain a well-known personality at gaming conventions and within digital media.

Casey Mongillo

Casey Mongillo became well-known in the gaming world by streaming and connecting with fans. They’ve also built a successful voice acting career, most notably as the voice of Shinji Ikari in the Netflix version of ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’. In games, they’ve voiced characters like Floofty Fizzlebean in ‘Bugsnax’ and had roles in ‘Red Dead Redemption’. You can still find Casey streaming games – often the ones they’ve worked on – on Twitch.

Kayleigh McKee

Kayleigh McKee first became well-known in online voice acting and gaming circles before landing roles in popular anime and video games. She connects with fans and fellow creators by sharing a look behind the scenes of the industry on her streams. Some of her biggest roles include voicing Yuta Okkotsu in the hit movie ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ and characters in ‘Genshin Impact’. McKee is highly praised for her incredibly versatile voice, allowing her to convincingly play characters of any gender.

Amanda Hufford

Amanda Hufford uses platforms like social media and streaming to demonstrate their wide range as a vocalist, which has led to voice acting roles in both independent and large-scale projects. They are well-known for voicing Ragatha in the hugely popular online series ‘The Amazing Digital Circus’, which started on YouTube. Hufford also lends their voice to popular games like ‘Genshin Impact’ and ‘Warframe’, and actively uses their online presence to find consistent work. They are also a passionate supporter of greater non-binary representation within the voice acting industry.

Jessie Earl

Jessie Earl, who goes by Jessie Gender online, is a popular YouTuber known for her thoughtful analysis of science fiction and social topics. Her smart commentary on ‘Star Trek’ impressed people involved with the show, which led to chances for her to participate in the ‘Star Trek’ fan community and other projects. She even voiced a character in the audio drama ‘Identiteaze’ and remains a prominent critic in popular culture. Earl’s success shows how creating insightful content can lead to opportunities in creative fields like acting.

Ian Alexander

Ian Alexander first gained attention when he was found on social media by casting directors looking for transgender actors for the show ‘The OA’. He’s mainly known as an actor, but he also loves playing video games and streams on Twitch, connecting with the gaming community. This involvement with gaming actually led to him landing the role of Lev in ‘The Last of Us Part II’, where he provided both the voice and motion capture performance. He continues to appear in popular shows like ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ and stays active online.

Bex Taylor-Klaus

Bex Taylor-Klaus is a well-known gamer who often streams on Twitch and connects with their fans. This love of gaming fit perfectly with their voice acting work as Pidge on the animated series ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’, and they also voiced Keo Venzee in the video game ‘Star Wars: Squadrons’. Taylor-Klaus successfully combines acting in shows like ‘Scream’ with voice roles that appeal to their gaming community.

Mason Alexander Park

Mason Alexander Park became well-known for their work in shows like ‘The Sandman’ and ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ but they also connect with fans directly through live streaming. They’ve become popular playing tabletop games online, which lets their quick wit and improvisational talents shine. This ability to connect with audiences in different ways has opened doors for them in voice acting and at fan conventions, proving how interacting with fans online can boost a traditional acting career.

Vico Ortiz

Vico Ortiz is an actor and drag performer known for their popular role in ‘Our Flag Means Death’. They also stream online, often playing games like ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, and have become involved in voice acting for animated shows and podcasts through this community. Ortiz uses their platform to promote inclusivity and demonstrate the talents that have helped them succeed in acting.

Jacob Tobia

Jacob Tobia began their career as a writer and online personality, using social media to speak out about gender and support LGBTQ+ rights. This work led to them being cast in the animated series ‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’ as the character Double Trouble. The role was created specifically for a non-binary actor, and Tobia’s prominent online presence helped them land the part. They now works as a writer and voice actor in Hollywood.

Chella Man

Chella Man first gained a following by sharing his experiences with transitioning and living with deafness on YouTube. This online work led to an acting opportunity on the DC Universe series ‘Titans’, where he played the superhero Jericho. His ability to sign fluently was essential for the role. He continues to work as a model and actor, leveraging the platform he built online to advance his career.

Miles McKenna

Miles McKenna first gained a large following on YouTube by creating funny videos and speaking out as an LGBTQ+ advocate. This online success opened doors to acting roles in shows like ‘Guilty Party’ and ‘All Night’. He’s also expanded into writing books and performing live, successfully transitioning his internet fame into more traditional forms of entertainment. McKenna continues to create content and act, especially for young LGBTQ+ viewers.

Jazz Jennings

Jazz Jennings has been a public figure from a young age, and her YouTube channel was key to letting her share her own story. This online success led to the reality show ‘I Am Jazz,’ which follows her life and advocacy work. Beyond reality TV, she’s also done voice acting and other appearances, all stemming from the platform she’s built. Jazz Jennings continues to be a powerful voice for transgender representation in media.

Trisha Paytas

Trisha Paytas is a well-known YouTuber who creates a wide range of content, including music and vlogs, and is often a topic of online discussion. They’ve become famous online, which has led to opportunities in music videos, reality television like ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, and small roles in movies. Paytas, who identifies as non-binary, has also used their online presence to start a podcast and other projects. Their success shows how powerful building a personal brand can be today.

Indya Moore

I’ve been following Indya Moore for a while now, and it’s been amazing to see their career blossom! They actually started out modeling, but I think it was their work speaking out on social media that really got people noticing them. That’s what led to their incredible role in ‘Pose,’ which is how I first discovered them. It was so cool to then find out they were also voicing Shep in ‘Steven Universe Future’ – clearly, the digital queer community really championed them! And they weren’t done there, they also did voice work for ‘Nimona’! Honestly, Indya is such a powerful advocate for trans rights, and it’s inspiring to see them using their platform both online and through their acting roles.

Asia Kate Dillon

Asia Kate Dillon is a groundbreaking actor who made history by playing a non-binary character on the popular TV show ‘Billions’. Known for their distinctive voice and commitment to advocacy, they also voice the character Val / Valentina in the animated web series ‘gen:LOCK’, connecting them with fans of gaming, animation, and streaming. Dillon continues to be a leader in bringing non-binary representation to Hollywood.

Rebecca Root

I first discovered Rebecca Root through ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ – she voiced a character and totally blew me away with how nuanced her performance was. Apparently, she’s a really accomplished actress in TV and radio, but that game is what got a lot of us gamers aware of her talent. She’s awesome at connecting with fans too, you always see her at conventions and in interviews. It’s cool to see her success continue with big projects like ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ – she’s clearly a versatile and talented actress.

Jen Richards

Jen Richards is a talented writer, actress, and producer best known for creating the Emmy-nominated web series ‘Her Story’. Her work in digital media and as an advocate led to a role in the video game ‘Tell Me Why’, where she voiced the character Alyson Ronan and helped shape the game’s story. Richards continues to focus on creating media that shares transgender stories.

Tell us which of these creators you follow in the comments.

2025-12-10 08:23