Straight Actors Who Learned Drag Just to Support Their Queer Co-Stars

For decades, Hollywood has seen straight actors take on the challenge of playing drag queens, often to showcase their range and bring visibility to the LGBTQ+ community. These actors frequently express genuine respect for drag as an art form and for the strength of the people it represents. By embracing feminine roles, they often demonstrate strong support for LGBTQ+ rights in an industry that historically promoted traditional ideas of masculinity. Here’s a look at some straight actors who have powerfully portrayed drag characters.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze surprised everyone when he took on the role of Vida Boheme, a drag queen, in ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar’. He played the character with incredible grace and respect, going against the typical comedic portrayals of the time. Swayze worked with actual drag queens to learn the mannerisms and ensure his performance was authentic and celebratory, not a caricature. He found the experience deeply impactful and used his visibility to promote acceptance at a time when it wasn’t widely embraced. His commitment to the role is still remembered as a powerful example of a straight actor respectfully portraying drag culture.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes played the confident and lively Noxeema Jackson alongside Patrick Swayze in ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.’ Though famous for his tough action roles, Snipes fully embraced the challenge of playing a drag queen. He dedicated himself to the role, spending hours getting made up and practicing how to walk in heels to make his performance believable. This allowed him to show off his comedic skills while also giving a human side to a community often overlooked in media. His performance demonstrated that a skilled actor can portray both masculine and feminine qualities.

John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo rounded out the leading trio in the film ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar’ as the energetic and innocent Chi-Chi Rodriguez. He played the role with a mix of excitement and emotional depth, complementing the elegance of his fellow actors. Leguizamo researched the New York City drag world to accurately portray the character’s strength and sparkle. He’s often discussed how the role broadened his understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people. Leguizamo views Chi-Chi as a particularly meaningful character because it brought much-needed representation to Latinx drag queens.

Hugo Weaving

Hugo Weaving gave one of his most memorable performances as Mitzi Del Bra in the beloved Australian film ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’. He brilliantly portrayed a drag queen who was both powerfully confident when performing and privately vulnerable. Weaving dedicated himself to learning the energetic dance routines and conveying the character’s complex emotions. The film was a huge success worldwide, bringing drag culture to a wider audience. Weaving has said that playing Mitzi taught him important lessons about understanding others and the many facets of being human.

Guy Pearce

Let me tell you, Guy Pearce killed it as Adam Whitely – or should I say, Felicia Jollygoodfellow – in ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’. He didn’t just play the part, he became it, fully diving into the over-the-top camp and energy the role demanded. It was a physically grueling performance, especially those lip-sync numbers on top of a bus speeding through the Outback! Looking back, Pearce has said ‘Priscilla’ was a turning point for him, helping him escape being typecast as just another soap opera star. And he’s rightfully proud of the film’s lasting impact, especially how it paved the way for better queer representation on screen.

Terence Stamp

Terence Stamp played Bernadette Bassenger in ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ with a powerful sense of dignity and grace. While Bernadette is a transgender woman, Stamp’s performance is remembered alongside his flamboyant co-stars for adding real emotional weight to the film. He played the character with sincerity, avoiding over-the-top stereotypes and focusing on the universal need for respect. Stamp himself said the role was very different from anything he’d done before, but he found it incredibly fulfilling. His nuanced performance was widely praised and showed just how versatile he is as an actor.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor wowed viewers with his portrayal of Lola, a drag queen, in the film ‘Kinky Boots’. To prepare for the role of the cabaret performer who helps a struggling shoe factory, he underwent a significant physical transformation and dedicated himself to mastering the demanding singing and dancing. Ejiofor focused on conveying Lola’s inner strength and determination to live honestly, even when facing prejudice. Critics and audiences alike loved his warm and powerful performance, which was central to the film’s message of acceptance and empathy.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland’s performance of Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ on ‘Lip Sync Battle’ became a huge online hit. The actor, known for playing Spider-Man, wore a striking black outfit and performed a challenging dance routine in drag as a tribute to Rihanna. Holland explained he wanted to demonstrate confidence and break stereotypes by fully embracing the feminine choreography. The LGBTQ+ community especially loved the performance, celebrating it as a fun and supportive gesture. It’s still one of the most-watched videos from the show, highlighting Holland’s impressive dance skills.

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum became a sensation when he dressed in drag to perform as Beyoncé on ‘Lip Sync Battle.’ He completely transformed with a costume and makeup for a lively performance that shocked and delighted everyone watching, including the host. Tatum fully embodied the powerful persona and even brought Beyoncé onstage for a grand finale. Many viewers appreciated his ability to poke fun at himself while honoring a legendary female artist, seeing it as a welcome change from typical Hollywood leading men. The moment showcased his confidence and his enthusiasm for all types of entertainment.

Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber played Vilma in Ang Lee’s ‘Taking Woodstock’ – a former Marine who dresses as a woman and acts as a protector and emotional anchor for the main character at the famous music festival. Schreiber portrayed Vilma with a subtle power, moving away from the typically tough roles he’s known for. He emphasized Vilma’s caring and protective nature, creating a character that was both endearing and realistic. The performance was a highlight of the film, demonstrating Schreiber’s skill at playing unexpected roles with nuance and sensitivity.

Willem Dafoe

I’ll never forget Willem Dafoe in ‘The Boondock Saints.’ His portrayal of Agent Smecker was just brilliant, and that scene where he goes undercover in drag? Iconic! Dafoe really committed to the sheer weirdness of it all, bringing his usual intensity to something totally unexpected. It’s a funny moment, sure, but it also perfectly shows how delightfully unpredictable Smecker is. Honestly, Dafoe often takes on roles that push boundaries, and this little detour into drag was just another example of him fearlessly embracing the unconventional.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

In the movie ‘Flawless,’ Philip Seymour Hoffman gave a memorable performance as Rusty, a drag queen and vocal coach. Alongside Robert De Niro, he portrayed an unexpected friendship with a security guard. Hoffman didn’t treat the role as a joke; instead, he deeply explored the character’s emotions and vulnerabilities, creating a truly moving and realistic portrayal. His performance is remembered as a powerful example of his commitment to bringing depth and humanity to complex and often overlooked characters.

Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs starred as the lead in the Broadway show ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ for a short time. He made history as the first Black actor to play the role of the gender-nonconforming rock singer on Broadway. Diggs fully committed to the character’s flamboyant style and the deep emotions the role demanded. He saw it as a chance to redefine how Black men are portrayed on stage. His performance was full of energy and showed off his range as a musical theatre actor and advocate for inclusivity.

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield appeared in Arcade Fire’s music video for ‘We Exist,’ playing a character exploring their gender identity and finding strength through drag and self-expression. To realistically portray this emotional journey, Garfield shaved his head and wore women’s clothing. He even performed with the band at Coachella while in character, emphasizing the song’s message. Garfield has spoken openly about the importance of inclusivity and how powerfully the song resonates with the LGBTQ+ community.

Tim Curry

Tim Curry’s performance as Dr. Frank N Furter in ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is legendary. He brought a captivating and charismatic energy to the role of the ‘sweet transvestite’ scientist, blending humor, sexuality, and a touch of danger. Curry completely embodied the character’s gender fluidity, unexpectedly becoming a sex symbol and influencing how gender was portrayed in film and rock music for years to come. His bold performance helped open doors for more diverse and open representations of gender.

Please tell us which of these performances surprised you the most in the comments.

2025-12-17 00:16