13 actors who played the opposite sex like pros

Published on June 25, 2017, 8:09 pm

Written by Straker Julia in Articles

Many movies include roles where actors must play a person of the opposite sex. Now it’s quite common, even if the trend is more realism than comedy. This involves an artificial physical metamorphosis, as well as real analysis of the roles we impose on each gender nowadays. If the first is not enough, the second often guarantees rewards of the trade.

Illustration : "13 actors who played the opposite sex like pros" — Photo d'illustration

Here are 13 actors who accepted the challenge ...

1. Angelina Jolie in Salt (2010)

For one of the most beautiful women on the planet, turning into a man must have been an unforgettable experience! In Salt, she plays a CIA officer accused of working for Russia. During a leak, she must become a man for a few minutes in the film (a soldier, nonetheless). The result was so impressive that her own son didn’t recognize her. She had to spend hours in makeup every day, getting a fake nose, fake ears, and a latex neck. Her acting skills did the rest.

2. Gael Garcia Bernal in Bad Education (2004)

In this film by Pedro Almodovar, Gael Garcia Bernal plays a transvestite looking for revenge against a priest who apparently raped him when he was a child. Some critics warned him that he would destroy his career by accepting to play a transvestite, because viewers and directors would always have that image of him, but the actor took it anyway and is even proud of playing this role.

3. Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl (2015)

The first photo from this film showing Eddie Redmayne's transformation was released only after the Academy Awards ceremony where it was nominated... And it’s no coincidence that so many directors accepted and then abandoned the project before Tom Hooper finally took it on. It is a difficult subject to deal with and play, but the British actor Eddie Redmayne took on the challenge of playing the first true transsexual in history. The transformation was incredible. The actor relied not only on makeup, but also on the advice of a choreographer and it was a success - he is unrecognizable in every way!

4. Cillian Murphy in Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

It’s difficult to go from an androgynous teenager to a fragile girl, but in this film, Cillian Murphy succeeds brilliantly without making light of the subject.

5. Adam Sandler in Jack & Jill (2011)

This isn’t actor and comedian Adam Sandler’s first character study; he has played a baby, a mermaid, and a mentally disabled person. In this film, he plays a calm and sophisticated young man who hosts his twin sister for the holidays. He also plays the sister, who is his exact opposite: ugly, loud, and unwilling to leave. Unfortunately, critics didn’t like Jack and Jill, and even worse, they awarded Adam Sandler with two Golden Raspberry Awards — for the worst male and female roles!

6. Elle Fanning in 3 Generations (2015)

In this movie, Elle Fanning plays the role of a teenage girl who wants to become a boy, and she encounters many obstacles in changing her sex. The movie was criticized harshly, especially by the community it was supposed to represent, which didn’t understand why a transsexual didn’t play the leading role. Symbolically it would have been significant, and the main character would have been more realistic.

7. Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

This performance was a success, as Swank received the Oscar for Best Actress for this role. She plays a girl who felt like a boy all her life and ends up moving to another town to be able to live as one. Unfortunately, he falls in love with a girl and sets off the murderous anger of two of her friends. To play the role in this true story, Hilary Swank worked on her body and the way she walked and talked, and then tested herself by living in total immersion as a young man for a month at the request of the director.

8. Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Actor Robin Williams' talents are indisputable, and one of his memorable roles is Mrs. Doubtfire. He plays a divorced father who, in order to spend time with his children, disguises himself as an old housekeeper. This film has remained in the hearts of viewers, but it has also received many rewards, both for makeup and for the acting. The character was based on a photo of an old lady from the 1940s, but it took almost 5 hours of makeup every day to achieve the visual results! Then Williams made her an unforgettable character...

9. John Travolta in Hairspray (2007)

In Hairspray, John Travolta, who is normally known for his brutal masculine roles, is transformed into a fat, reclusive lady. It’s amusing to see the physical transformation he underwent after hours of make-up, and especially with a 30-lb. fat suit and 5 prostheses!

10. Amanda Bynes in She’s the Man (2006)

In this movie, the actress plays the role of Viola, as well as the role of her twin brother Sebastian, whose identity she impersonates to join a soccer team. Things get complicated when she falls in love with a boy, who is in love with a girl, who loves the twin. It’s a film for teenagers that will certainly not be forgotten.

11. Patrick Swayze in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

Patrick Swayze plays a drag queen in this movie that came out while Hollywood was resolutely turning its back on homosexuality. This film, while courageously positive and entertaining, did not get any accolades from critics, but they did notice the work of the actors, including Patrick Swayze. Swayze won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.

12. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Some Like it Hot (1959)

Although this great Hollywood classic will be forever associated with Marilyn Monroe, it’s worth noting that Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, who were required to disguise themselves as women, offer an excellent performance. This film is still one of the funniest movies of all time.

13. Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie (1982)

The second funniest movie of all time, Tootsie, is also unforgettable, especially because of the performance of Dustin Hoffman, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for this role. It is said that after testing out the makeup and wardrobe, he realized that wearing accessories and makeup wouldn’t be enough to play a woman, that he would have to dig deeper. He also gave much thought to gender relations while preparing for the role. Perhaps that is what enabled him to give us such a true character.

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures, Focus Features

Source: BrightSide

By Straker Julia
Writer

Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!