7 Straight Actors Who Totally Nailed At LGBT Roles
Even though Hollywood banned showing gay people for nearly 30 years, the queer movement of the 1970s led to a rise in the inclusion of LGBT characters in films. Since the release of the gay-themed film The Boys In The Band, more narratives have included characters of varying sexual orientations. Tom Hanks was a pioneer in the field when he played a gay character in 1993's Philadelphia. Straight Actors Who nailed LGBT roles might be found here.
These roles helped bring previously hidden stories to light. Still, in recent years, with hundreds of out actors working in Hollywood, some have questioned whether heterosexual actors should even be allowed to portray LGBTQ+ characters. Although there are several examples of straight actors failing miserably to play queer characters, countless performances have succeeded despite this and become classics. Consider some straight actors who have been acclaimed for portraying LGBTQ+ characters. These straight actors who totally play LGBT succeeded.
Charlize Theron's performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos was her most critically acclaimed portrayal to date, earning her an Academy Award. At the film's beginning, Aileen and Selby, whom she meets in a lesbian club, fall in love. With heavy character makeup and a slack wardrobe, Theron delivers a grim performance.
In Ang Lee's masterwork Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger, and Jake Gyllenhaal star as Ennis and Jack. After a brief fling, both married women, only to rekindle their romance years later. The actors did a fantastic job conveying the narrative's complexity, which is more than just a cowboy love story.
To say that Timothée Chalamet's breakout role in Call Me By Your Name catapulted him to international stardom is an understatement. His character, Elio, fell in love with the temporary aide to his father in Italy, and the story of their summer together was painful. Chalamet accepts his homosexuality and feelings for his first love, Oliver, after coming to grips with his sexuality.
Based on the novel The Price of Salt, the film was secretly developed for 15 years until finally getting the green production light in 2014. The movie, which stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, is set in the 1950s and follows the forbidden love affair between Mara's character, a photographer, and Blanchett's character, a middle-aged divorcee. Blanchett's Oscar for this portrayal was long overdue.
Mahershala Ali swept the 2019 awards season with his supporting performance in Green Book. Only two other actors have accomplished this feat, and he joined that elite company. In the film, he plays the part of Dr. Don Shirley, a pianist who hides the fact that he is gay until he is found with another man.
True to its name, Modern Family prominently featured a gay couple with other sorts of families at a time when such representation was rare on television. Eric Stonestreet played Cameron Tucker, a dedicated but occasionally over-the-top high school football coach for eleven seasons. For his comic work, he was awarded two Primetime Emmys.
Cast as a gay fashion designer despite being straight, Ewan McGregor faced criticism for his portrayal in a biographical drama based on the life of Roy Halston. McGregor listened carefully and worked diligently, even taking up sewing to fit into the culture. The actor won an Emmy for best lead actor.
These roles helped bring previously hidden stories to light. Still, in recent years, with hundreds of out actors working in Hollywood, some have questioned whether heterosexual actors should even be allowed to portray LGBTQ+ characters. Although there are several examples of straight actors failing miserably to play queer characters, countless performances have succeeded despite this and become classics. Consider some straight actors who have been acclaimed for portraying LGBTQ+ characters. These straight actors who totally play LGBT succeeded.
1. Charlize Theron
Source: Monster
Charlize Theron's performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos was her most critically acclaimed portrayal to date, earning her an Academy Award. At the film's beginning, Aileen and Selby, whom she meets in a lesbian club, fall in love. With heavy character makeup and a slack wardrobe, Theron delivers a grim performance.
2. Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal
Source: Brokeback Mountain
In Ang Lee's masterwork Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger, and Jake Gyllenhaal star as Ennis and Jack. After a brief fling, both married women, only to rekindle their romance years later. The actors did a fantastic job conveying the narrative's complexity, which is more than just a cowboy love story.
3. Timothée Chalamet
Source: Call Me By Your Name
To say that Timothée Chalamet's breakout role in Call Me By Your Name catapulted him to international stardom is an understatement. His character, Elio, fell in love with the temporary aide to his father in Italy, and the story of their summer together was painful. Chalamet accepts his homosexuality and feelings for his first love, Oliver, after coming to grips with his sexuality.
4. Cate Blanchett
Source: Carol
Based on the novel The Price of Salt, the film was secretly developed for 15 years until finally getting the green production light in 2014. The movie, which stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, is set in the 1950s and follows the forbidden love affair between Mara's character, a photographer, and Blanchett's character, a middle-aged divorcee. Blanchett's Oscar for this portrayal was long overdue.
5. Mahershala Ali
Source: Green Book
Mahershala Ali swept the 2019 awards season with his supporting performance in Green Book. Only two other actors have accomplished this feat, and he joined that elite company. In the film, he plays the part of Dr. Don Shirley, a pianist who hides the fact that he is gay until he is found with another man.
6. Eric Stonestreet
Source: Modern Family
True to its name, Modern Family prominently featured a gay couple with other sorts of families at a time when such representation was rare on television. Eric Stonestreet played Cameron Tucker, a dedicated but occasionally over-the-top high school football coach for eleven seasons. For his comic work, he was awarded two Primetime Emmys.
7. Ewan McGregor
Source: Halston
Cast as a gay fashion designer despite being straight, Ewan McGregor faced criticism for his portrayal in a biographical drama based on the life of Roy Halston. McGregor listened carefully and worked diligently, even taking up sewing to fit into the culture. The actor won an Emmy for best lead actor.
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