In director Ang Lee's latest, 'Taking Woodstock,' Liev Schreiber revisits a rich Hollywood tradition: men in drag. He's Vilma, a butch ex-Marine who prefers heels over boots, and in his -- er, her -- honor, we've come up with our list of favorite on-screen men in drag. (This marks Schreiber's second time cross-dressing on the big screen, after 1994's 'Mixed Nuts.')One of the actors on our list is best known for his run as a booty-hunting, rum-swilling pirate; another dirty danced his way to fame before squeezin' into a pair of Spanx.
Which brave leading men dared to don the drag-requisite stockings, bold lipstick and extravagant wigs of the fairer sex? Click through our gallery of Hollywood's studliest actors at their glamazon best (or drag-queen worst, in some cases). And then vote for the handsome fella you think makes the most beautiful gal.
Men in Drag
Focus features/ Getty Images/ Everett Collection
Travolta did a Barbra Streisand impersonation on an appearance of 'Saturday Night Live.'
David James, New Line
Reportedly, "Big Momma" was what neighborhood kids called the real-life mother of screenwriter Darryl Quarles. What a tribute to dear old Mom.
20th Century Fox
Before he was Captain Jack, Depp was Lieutenant Victor (decidedly less rum-swilling, more cruel and unusual interrogating).
Everett Collection
Though Pearce doesn't cross-dress in 'To Wong Foo ...,' he does in 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.'
Getty Images
It's based on Mitchell's play of the same name.
New Line
Neil Jordan made a name for himself with the shocking "twist" of 1992's 'The Crying Game.'
Sony Pictures Classics
That's Bernal in Pedro Almodovar's 2004 melodrama, 'Bad Education.'
Sony Pictures Classics
Playwright/memoirist/actor/director Perry is a multi-tasker (that may be the understatement of the year).
Lionsgate
Lange was the soap star Hoffman lusted for -- unfortunately she saw him as just a friend. (But can you blame her, when he looked like that?)
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
Reader Comments (19)
Jane at 11:07PM on Aug 27th 2009
You missed two of my favorites, Jason Isaacs and Michael Rosenbaum in Sweet November.
Kai at 11:58PM on Aug 27th 2009
Depp was in 'Ed Wood' too xD
bunny at 6:35AM on Aug 28th 2009
Liev Schriber has been in drag in Mixed Nuts. It's not a first for him.
Bpers2001 at 6:59AM on Aug 28th 2009
Wesley Snipes, in "To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" was in drag, along side Patrick Swayze. Both did an excellent job, in that movie. Great movie.
Mary at 8:58AM on Aug 28th 2009
You mentioned Jack Lemmon in "Some Like It Hot" but what about Tony Curtis...? (Co-star in same film). Now...'he' would have been the 'prettiest' "woman".
Terry at 9:25AM on Aug 28th 2009
The second story on aol's obsession with homosexuality. Its sick when its an obsession and these folks are obsessed with sex. I am no prude, but jeez enough is enough of this obsession.
Graydon at 12:47PM on Aug 28th 2009
Seems that the only one who is obsessed here is YOU, Terry!
JLD at 8:13PM on Aug 28th 2009
Cross dressers are over 90% heterosexual. NOT GAY
jeano at 12:17PM on Aug 28th 2009
You forgot John Leguizamo who was also in Wong Foo. He was the best!
Tara V at 1:30PM on Aug 28th 2009
I wanted him on the countdown too, he was the first I thought of.
Hal Klein at 9:14AM on Aug 31st 2009
Not to mention Tony Perkins in Psycho, Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot, Gene Hackman in La Cage Aux Folles, John Leguizamo in To Wong Foo, and so many more on the big screen. Seems almost a right of passage
michele at 11:22AM on Aug 28th 2009
How can Gene Hackman from The Birdcage be omitted - I will never forget him at the end trying to escape the club unnoticed - wearing that blonde wig and white dress... Hilarious
Amanda Hugenkis at 7:05PM on Aug 28th 2009
Gene Hackman as Senator Keeley in drag at the end of "The Birdcage" to his chauffeur: "Meet me in 20 minutes at the corner of El Dorado and Palm."
Chauffeur: "Lady, not for a million dollars."
Kelly at 1:19PM on Aug 28th 2009
How about John Leguizamo in To Wong Foo? He was great in that! :)
masbo at 1:51PM on Aug 28th 2009
John Lithgow..... "Garp"
Laura at 3:39PM on Aug 28th 2009
What about Rupert Everett? He's going to be in drag in St. Trinian's:
http://www.theinsider.com/news/2614166_Guess_Which_Hollywood_Heart_Throb_Is_Under_All_This_Make_Up
Nan at 2:28PM on Aug 29th 2009
Are you forgetting the ending scene with John Leguizamo? He was the most beautiful man I've ever seen! Granted his character was a little over the top, but he did look gorgeuos. 8 )
leo at 12:36PM on Aug 31st 2009
John cameron Mitchell. wins hands down. Hedwign is by far the best looking!
Cactus at 7:09PM on Sep 6th 2009
My favorite is David Duchovny as Special Agent Denis/Denise Bryson in Twin Peaks.