Hollywood has had a long tradition of straight actors taking on queer roles, and it’s one of the most discussed controversies in the business. Acting is all about living in someone else’s skin, but when it comes to LGBTQ+ roles, questions of authenticity, opportunity, and representation inevitably arise. Here’s a breakdown of 10 straight actors who won awards for their performances as LGBTQ+ characters—and the controversy that surrounded their performances.
10. Mahershala Ali – Green Book
Mahershala Ali won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as Dr. Don Shirley, a gay pianist navigating racism and prejudice in the Deep South. While Ali’s performance was praised, Green Book itself faced criticism for centering a white character’s story and not casting a queer actor for Shirley. Ali’s win highlighted the recurring pattern of straight actors receiving accolades for queer roles.
9. Olivia Colman – The Favourite
Olivia Colman’s performance as Queen Anne, whose amorous relationships with two women propel the movie, won her an Oscar for Best Actress. She was also acclaimed by critics, although the use of straight actors in queer characters raised questions on whether such opportunities should be afforded to LGBTQ+ actors.
8. Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club
Jared Leto took Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Rayon, a trans woman with HIV. Although Leto’s work wowed many, it’s also been at the center of the controversy surrounding cis actors playing trans roles. Leto himself has talked about how controversial it is, and opinions within the trans community—including those of Eddie Redmayne and Hilary Swank—have stressed the need to cast trans actors in these types of roles.
7. Natalie Portman – Black Swan
In Black Swan, Natalie Portman’s Academy Award-winning performance as Nina Sayers involved a lesbian relationship. Though not necessarily an LGBTQ+ narrative, her work is part of an emerging trend of straight performers being honored for playing queer desire and identity.
6. Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Christopher Plummer won Best Supporting Actor for playing Hal, a gay man who comes out late in life. The movie was lauded for its sensitivity, but it also sparked controversy over why straight actors keep winning top honors for gay roles.
5. Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Penélope Cruz won a Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Maria Elena, whose love relationships with both genders are the focus of the film. Her performance was one of general critical appreciation, extending the trend of straight actors receiving awards for LGBTQ+ performances.
4. Sean Penn – Milk
Sean Penn’s performance as Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected politician, won him an Oscar for Best Actor. Although his acting drew eyes to LGBTQ+ rights and history, it also reopened debates on whether queer actors should portray such iconic characters.
3. Charlize Theron – Monster
Charlize Theron became serial killer Aileen Wuornos, whose female relationships are central to the film. Her brazen performance earned her an Oscar for Best Actress, but, as in the other cases here, it fueled the debate about straight actors playing queer characters.
2. Hilary Swank – Boys Don’t Cry
Hilary Swank’s Oscar-winning role as Brandon Teena, a trans man, was historic. Swank herself has since looked back and commented that with more prominent trans actors currently working, this role would now be cast otherwise. She stressed that trans actors should now be given priority for such roles.
1. Tom Hanks – Philadelphia
Tom Hanks received his first Oscar for his portrayal of Andrew Beckett, a gay attorney who is discriminated against based of AIDS. His work was a turning point for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream films. Hanks has explained that now audiences would insist on a queer actor for the character, reflecting on how far the industry has come since the film’s release.
The controversy surrounding straight actors playing LGBTQ+ roles isn’t award-focused—it’s about access, visibility, and equality. Several queer actors, such as Wilson Cruz and Ben Whishaw, have chimed in on the importance of authentic casting. Whishaw has even opined that LGBTQ+ actors need more space in straight roles so that the playing field can be equalized.
Representation in Hollywood is changing, and though these performances were met with acclaim, the debate surrounding who is allowed to tell what stories remains. What is certain is that the focus on authenticity in queer narratives has never shone brighter.