Straight Actresses Who Played Iconic Gay Characters

The history of cinema and television includes many notable performances by straight actresses in LGBTQ plus roles. These portrayals often spark discussions about representation and the art of acting in Hollywood. Many of these performances have garnered major awards including Oscars and Emmys. The following list highlights actresses who have taken on these iconic characters throughout their careers.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron played the character Aileen Wuornos in the movie ‘Monster’. This role involved a dramatic physical transformation for the actress. The story follows a real life serial killer and her relationship with a woman. Theron received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in this film. It is considered one of the most powerful portrayals of a lesbian character in modern cinema.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett starred as the title character in the 2015 movie ‘Carol’. The film tells the story of a glamorous woman who falls in love with a younger department store clerk. Blanchett portrayed the internal struggle of a woman living in the conservative 1950s. The production earned critical acclaim for its visual style and acting. This performance is often cited as a milestone for lesbian representation on screen.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara played the character Therese Belivet in the romantic drama ‘Carol’. Her character is a young photographer who becomes infatuated with an older woman. Mara received a Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for this role. The film explores the quiet intensity of their relationship during a time when such romances were hidden. Her performance provided a grounded perspective to the emotional story.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank portrayed the real life figure Brandon Teena in the film ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. Brandon Teena was a trans man who faced tragic consequences in a small Nebraska town. Swank lived as a man for several weeks to prepare for the role. This performance won her the first of two Academy Awards for Best Actress. The film brought significant attention to the violence faced by the transgender community.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet played the historical figure Mary Anning in the movie ‘Ammonite’. The story reimagines the life of the famous paleontologist as she develops a romantic bond with another woman. Winslet focused on the rugged and stoic nature of her character in nineteenth century England. The film explores themes of companionship and social class. Her performance was praised for its subtlety and emotional depth.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan starred as Charlotte Murchison in the film ‘Ammonite’. Her character is a young woman sent to the seaside to recover from a personal tragedy. While there she forms an intense connection with a local fossil hunter played by Kate Winslet. Ronan portrayed the evolution of Charlotte from a grieving wife to a woman discovering her own desires. The film highlights the hidden lives of women in the Victorian era.

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman played Queen Anne in the historical comedy ‘The Favourite’. The plot centers on the volatile relationships between the Queen and two rival cousins competing for her affection. Colman depicted a ruler who was physically frail but emotionally complex. This performance won her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2019. The film uses a unique style to explore power and lesbian romance in the royal court.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz portrayed Sarah Churchill in the 2018 movie ‘The Favourite’. Her character is the Duchess of Marlborough and a close confidante to Queen Anne. Weisz played a woman who used her romantic influence to manage the political affairs of England. The film depicts the fierce competition for the favor of the monarch. Her performance was noted for its sharp wit and commanding presence.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone played Abigail Masham in the period piece ‘The Favourite’. Abigail is an impoverished cousin who arrives at court and eventually seduces Queen Anne. Stone portrayed the character as a cunning social climber who disrupts the existing power dynamic. The role required a mix of humor and darker ambitions. This performance earned Stone an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman played the character Nina Sayers in the psychological thriller ‘Black Swan’. Nina is a dedicated ballerina who experiences a mental breakdown during a production of ‘Swan Lake’. The film includes a surreal and intense sequence involving Nina and a rival dancer named Lily. Portman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for this physically demanding role. The story explores the pressure of perfection and repressed sexuality.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis portrayed the dancer Lily in the film ‘Black Swan’. Her character serves as a rival and a source of temptation for the protagonist. Kunis played Lily as a free spirited and uninhibited performer who contrasts with Nina. The interactions between the two dancers are central to the psychological tension of the movie. This role helped Kunis transition into more serious dramatic acting.

Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman played a transgender woman named Bree in the film ‘Transamerica’. The story follows Bree as she takes a road trip with a son she never knew she had. Huffman focused on the emotional journey of a woman seeking surgery to align her body with her identity. This performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win. The film was one of the early mainstream portrayals of a transgender lead character.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera played the character Santana Lopez on the musical television series ‘Glee’. Santana began the show as a secondary character before becoming a central figure in a major coming out storyline. Rivera portrayed the journey of a popular cheerleader struggling with her feelings for her best friend. The character became a significant icon for the Afro-Latina and LGBTQ plus communities. Her performance helped increase visibility for lesbian characters on network television.

Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan played Willow Rosenberg on the long running series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Willow started as a shy computer nerd and eventually discovered she was a powerful witch. The character is well known for her romantic relationship with another witch named Tara. This storyline was one of the first long term lesbian relationships depicted on a major television show. Hannigan portrayed the character across seven seasons of the series.

Amber Benson

Amber Benson played the character Tara Maclay in the supernatural drama ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Tara was introduced as a fellow student and love interest for Willow Rosenberg. Benson portrayed a gentle and supportive partner who helped Willow navigate her growing magical abilities. The relationship between the two characters remains a landmark moment in television history. Her departure from the show was a controversial and highly discussed event among fans.

Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Lyonne played the lead role of Megan Bloomfield in the comedy ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’. Megan is a high school cheerleader whose parents send her to a conversion therapy camp because they suspect she is a lesbian. Lyonne depicted the character as she slowly realizes and accepts her true identity. The film uses satire to critique the practices of such camps. It has since become a cult classic in the LGBTQ plus film genre.

Gina Gershon

Gina Gershon starred as Corky in the 1996 neo noir film ‘Bound’. Her character is an ex convict who works as a maintenance person in an apartment building. Corky enters into a dangerous romantic relationship with a woman named Violet who is dating a mobster. Gershon portrayed the character with a tough and confident persona. The film is celebrated for its stylish direction and its depiction of a lesbian couple in a thriller plot.

Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Tilly played the character Violet in the crime thriller ‘Bound’. Violet is the girlfriend of a high ranking criminal who wants to escape her life. She teams up with a woman named Corky to steal millions of dollars from the mob. Tilly used a soft and seductive voice to contrast with the high stakes of the heist. Her performance is a key part of why the film is considered a landmark in queer cinema.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg played Celie Harris in the film adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’. The story follows Celie over several decades as she survives abuse and finds her own voice. Celie forms a deep and romantic bond with a singer named Shug Avery. Goldberg received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of this resilient character. The film explores themes of sisterhood and personal liberation in the early twentieth century.

Margaret Avery

Margaret Avery played Shug Avery in the 1985 movie ‘The Color Purple’. Shug is a glamorous and independent singer who provides emotional support and love to the protagonist Celie. Avery portrayed the character as a vibrant force of nature who challenges the traditional expectations of women. Her performance included a famous scene in which she sings to Celie at a local juke joint. The role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Tatiana Maslany

Tatiana Maslany played several different characters in the science fiction series ‘Orphan Black’. One of her most prominent roles was Cosima Niehaus who is a brilliant scientist and one of the clones. Cosima is a lesbian and has a complex relationship with another scientist named Delphine. Maslany was praised for her ability to give each clone a distinct personality and physicality. Her work on the show earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.

Evelyne Brochu

Evelyne Brochu played Delphine Cormier in the television series ‘Orphan Black’. Delphine is a scientist who is originally assigned to monitor one of the clones but eventually falls in love with her. The character navigates various ethical dilemmas while trying to protect her partner. Brochu portrayed the character in a mix of French and English throughout the series. The relationship between Delphine and Cosima became a favorite among the show’s dedicated fanbase.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba played Suzanne Warren on the Netflix series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Suzanne is a prisoner known by the nickname Crazy Eyes who often struggles with social interactions and mental health. The character has several romantic interests and crushes on other women during the show. Aduba won two Emmy Awards for her performance in this role. Her portrayal focused on the humanity and vulnerability of a misunderstood character.

Laura Prepon

Laura Prepon played Alex Vause in the drama series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Alex is an international drug smuggler whose relationship with the main character leads to their imprisonment. Prepon portrayed a confident and cynical woman who remains a central love interest throughout the series. The show explores the history and ongoing tension between her and Piper Chapman. Her performance helped the series become a major success for the streaming platform.

Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker played Ruth Jamison in the 1991 film ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’. The movie tells the story of a lifelong friendship and implied romance between two women in the American South. Ruth is a traditional woman who finds strength and companionship with the rebellious Idgie Threadgoode. Parker depicted the character across many years of her life. The film is often cited for its positive depiction of female bonding and southern culture.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close starred as the title character in the film ‘Albert Nobbs’. The story follows a woman who lives as a man in nineteenth century Ireland to work as a butler and survive. Albert dreams of saving enough money to open a tobacco shop and find a life partner. Close worked for years to bring this project to the screen and also co wrote the script. The performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Janet McTeer

Janet McTeer played Hubert Page in the drama ‘Albert Nobbs’. Hubert is a house painter who also lives as a man and becomes a mentor to the main character. McTeer portrayed the character with a sense of freedom and confidence that contrasts with Albert’s anxiety. The character is married to a woman and shows Albert that a different kind of life is possible. This role earned McTeer an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave played the character Edith Tree in the second segment of the film ‘If These Walls Could Talk 2’. This part of the movie is set in 1961 and follows an older lesbian couple facing a medical crisis. When her partner dies Edith is excluded from the funeral and loses her home because their relationship has no legal standing. Redgrave delivered a performance that highlighted the lack of rights for gay couples in the past. The film received critical acclaim for its exploration of lesbian history.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman portrayed the author Virginia Woolf in the film ‘The Hours’. The story connects the lives of three women across different time periods who are all affected by the novel ‘Mrs. Dalloway’. Woolf is shown struggling with her mental health and her complex feelings for her sister and other women. Kidman wore a prosthetic nose for the role and won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film explores themes of depression and the search for personal freedom.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep played Clarissa Vaughan in the 2002 movie ‘The Hours’. Clarissa is a modern woman living in New York City who is caring for a former lover dying of AIDS. The character is in a long term relationship with a woman named Sally but remains tethered to her past. Streep portrayed the character over the course of a single day as she prepares for a party. The performance captured the quiet desperation and resilience of a woman facing loss.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts played Betty Elms and Diane Selwyn in the David Lynch film ‘Mulholland Drive’. The movie features a surreal and complex plot involving an aspiring actress and a woman with amnesia. The two characters share an intense and dreamlike romantic encounter. Watts received widespread critical recognition for her dual performance in this psychological thriller. The film is frequently ranked among the best movies of the twenty first century.

Laura Harring

Laura Harring played the characters Rita and Camilla Rhodes in the film ‘Mulholland Drive’. Rita is a woman who survives a car accident and hides in an apartment where she meets an aspiring actress. Harring portrayed the character with a sense of mystery and vulnerability throughout the shifting narrative. The relationship between her character and Betty is a central element of the film’s puzzle. This role remains the most famous performance of her career.

Salma Hayek Pinault

Salma Hayek played the legendary artist Frida Kahlo in the biographical film ‘Frida’. The movie depicts the life and career of the Mexican painter including her marriage to Diego Rivera and her affairs with women. Hayek spent years developing the project to ensure an accurate portrayal of the iconic figure. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her work. The film celebrates Kahlo’s artistic vision and her unconventional personal life.

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd played the artist Tina Modotti in the 2002 movie ‘Frida’. Her character is a photographer and revolutionary who is a close friend and romantic interest of Frida Kahlo. Judd portrayed a woman who lived a bold and politically active life in Mexico. The film features a famous scene where her character dances with Frida at a social gathering. Her performance added to the vibrant atmosphere of the historical drama.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley played the French novelist Sidonie Gabrielle Colette in the film ‘Colette’. The story follows the author as she writes successful novels published under her husband’s name. As she gains independence she begins to explore romantic relationships with other women. Knightley portrayed the character’s journey toward becoming a literary and cultural icon. The film highlights the struggle for female autonomy and creative credit.

Chloë Grace Moretz

Chloe Grace Moretz played the lead role in ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’. The film is set in the 1990s and follows a teenage girl who is sent to a conversion therapy center by her conservative guardians. Moretz depicted the character’s internal conflict and eventual rebellion against the center’s teachings. The story focuses on the friendship she forms with other queer teenagers at the facility. This performance was praised for its quiet strength and emotional realism.

Mackenzie Davis

Mackenzie Davis played the character Harper in the holiday romantic comedy ‘Happiest Season’. Harper invites her girlfriend home for Christmas but admits that she has not yet come out to her conservative family. Davis portrayed a woman caught between her love for her partner and her fear of disappointing her parents. The film explores the complications of family dynamics during the holidays. Her performance contributed to the film becoming a popular modern addition to the Christmas genre.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore played the character Jules in the 2010 film ‘The Kids Are All Right’. The story focuses on a lesbian couple whose teenage children decide to contact their anonymous sperm donor. Moore portrayed a woman who is trying to find her professional footing while managing her family life. The film received praise for its realistic and humorous look at modern family dynamics. This role is one of several LGBTQ plus characters Moore has played in her career.

Annette Bening

Annette Bening played the character Nic in the movie ‘The Kids Are All Right’. Nic is a successful doctor and the more disciplined partner in a long term lesbian relationship. Bening depicted the tensions and insecurities that arise when a new person enters the family circle. The performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film was celebrated for treating a gay household with the same complexity as any other family.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams played Esti Kuperman in the 2017 drama ‘Disobedience’. The film is set within an Orthodox Jewish community in London and follows a woman who rekindles a forbidden romance. McAdams portrayed the conflict between her religious faith and her personal desires. The story explores themes of choice and the search for authentic living. Her performance was noted for its emotional intensity and restraint.

Elizabeth Mitchell

Elizabeth Mitchell played the character Linda in the 1998 biographical film ‘Gia’. Linda is a makeup artist who becomes the primary love interest of the famous model Gia Carangi. Mitchell portrayed a stabilizing force in the life of the troubled protagonist. The film depicts the highs and lows of the fashion industry during the 1970s and 1980s. Her performance provided a crucial emotional anchor to the tragic story.

Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway played Wilhelmina Cooper in the television movie ‘Gia’. Wilhelmina was a real life model and the founder of a major modeling agency who mentored Gia Carangi. Dunaway portrayed a powerful and sophisticated woman who recognized the potential of the young model. The film explores the complex professional and personal relationship between the two women. This role added to Dunaway’s long list of performances as strong and influential characters.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld played the famous poet Emily Dickinson in the television series ‘Dickinson’. The show uses a modern sensibility to tell the story of the writer’s youth and her creative process. A central plot point is the romantic relationship between Emily and her best friend Sue Gilbert. Steinfeld portrayed the character as a rebellious and visionary artist. The series ran for three seasons and was praised for its unique tone and representation.

Ella Hunt

Ella Hunt played Sue Gilbert in the Apple TV plus series ‘Dickinson’. Sue is the best friend and sister in law of the protagonist who shares a deep romantic bond with her. Hunt portrayed the character as she navigates the social expectations of the nineteenth century while maintaining her secret relationship. The chemistry between the two lead actresses was a highlight of the show for many viewers. Her performance helped ground the more surreal elements of the series.

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton played the character Marissa Cooper on the teen drama ‘The O.C.’. During the second season of the show Marissa explores a relationship with another girl named Alex Kelly. Barton portrayed the character as she dealt with family turmoil and personal identity. This storyline was a significant moment for teen television in the early 2000s. The character remains one of the most recognizable figures from that era of pop culture.

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde played the character Alex Kelly in the television series ‘The O.C.’. Alex is a tough and independent manager of a local music venue who dates Marissa Cooper. Wilde portrayed the character with a rebellious edge that stood out from the other residents of Newport Beach. This role was one of the early performances that brought Wilde to mainstream attention. The relationship between Alex and Marissa was widely discussed during the show’s original run.

Heather Morris

Heather Morris played the character Brittany S. Pierce on the musical comedy series ‘Glee’. Brittany was originally a background cheerleader but became a fan favorite due to her unique personality and dance skills. The character eventually entered into a long term relationship with her best friend Santana Lopez. Morris portrayed the character with a mix of humor and sincerity throughout the show’s run. The wedding between Brittany and Santana was a major event in the series finale.

Penélope Cruz

Penelope Cruz played the character Maria Elena in the Woody Allen film ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’. Maria Elena is the volatile ex wife of an artist who enters into a three way relationship with him and an American tourist. Cruz portrayed a passionate and artistically gifted woman struggling with her emotions. This performance won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film explores the complexities of love and artistic temperament in a scenic European setting.

Share your thoughts on these iconic performances in the comments.