Famous Cisgender Actors Who Played Transgender Roles

The history of trans men and women in film and TV is one of erasure. Cisgender actors play trans characters at the expense of trans actors.

A lot of these films and TV are pure and utter trash, but there are a number which are canonical LGBTQ classics. And they serve as a reminder that the LGBTQ community has often played a role in silencing trans voices.

So here’s a list of cis actors playing transgender characters. But remember the lack of opportunities trans actors have had. And let’s hope no more names wind up on lists like this.

Ed Wood

Glen or Glenda (1953): Often called the worst movie ever made, Ed Wood is famously one of the least talented directors in history.

His magnum opus of awful is an attempt at plea for tolerance while at the same time exploiting the headline making sexual reassignment surgery of Christine Jorgensen in 1952.

Now a cult curio, it doesn’t diminish how awful and truly offensive the film is. Ahh, the 50s!

Raquel Welch

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Myra Breckinridge (1970): Another film that is often thought of as one of the worst movies ever made, this trans-exploitation film stars screen goddess Raquel Welsh as a trans actor who goes to Hollywood to fight the system.

Based on a critically acclaimed book by Gore Vidal, the film was a famous box office bomb.

Chloë Sevigny

Hit & Miss (2012): Chloë Sevigny plays a trans contract killer who finds out she has a son. I remember trying to watch this and not being able to get through the first episode.

I also find it odd someone as ingrained in the New York counter-culture would have accepted a role like this well after the calls for trans actors for trans parts started.

I get that someone like Jared Leto would still do this, but it feels odd for Chloë.

Chris Sarandon

Dog Day Afternoon (1975): The first film on our list that is considered a masterpiece, Sidney Lumet’s film is definitely of its time in terms of its trans portrayal.

Chris Sarandon was nominated for an Oscar, arguably starting the CIS playing trans equals awards love phenomenon we are still living with.

The film is based on the true story of Vietnam vet John Wojtowicz robbing a bank to pay for the sex-reassignment surgery of his girlfriend, Elizabeth Eden.

At a time when Warhol superstars Holly Woodlawn and Jackie Curtis were still with us and acting, it is heartbreaking to think of the missed opportunity of casting one of these fabulous New York transwomen in a truly New York story.