Famous actresses that shone in male roles

Challenging gender stereotypes

Throughout film history, many renowned actresses have stood out by playing male roles, challenging gender stereotypes and showcasing their talent and versatility. Let’s discover some of the most memorable performances.

Diana Rigg - 'Theatre of Blood' (1973)

Before playing the Queen of Thorns in 'Game of Thrones,' Diana Rigg was an actress known for reinventing herself with every role. In 'Theatre of Blood,' she plays a male character to help her father, an aging Shakespearean actor, seek revenge after being denied an important award.

Julie Andrews – 'Victor Victoria' (1981)

Julie Andrews made her mark on cinema history with roles like Mary Poppins and Maria in 'The Sound of Music,' but her talent goes beyond these. In 'Victor Victoria,' set in 1930s Paris, she plays a woman pretending to be a man impersonating a woman!

Barbra Streisand – 'Yentl' (1983)

In 1983, Barbra Streisand starred in 'Yentl,' playing a young Jewish woman in early 20th-century Poland who disguises herself as a man to continue her studies.

Linda Hunt - 'The Year of Living Dangerously' (1983)

'The Year of Living Dangerously' stars a young Mel Gibson as an Australian journalist, with actress Linda Hunt playing his colleague, Billy Kwan.

Tilda Swinton – 'Orlando' (1992)

Based on Virginia Woolf's novel, 'Orlando' is an ageless aristocrat, a gender-fluid character played by the magnetic Tilda Swinton.

Hilary Swank – 'Boys Don’t Cry' (1999)

In 'Boys Don’t Cry,' directed by Kimberly Peirce, Hilary Swank plays Brandon, a man born in a woman’s body, constantly searching for his identity, leading to a tragic end.

Cate Blanchett – 'I’m Not There' (2007)

'I’m Not There' is a musical western about Bob Dylan's life, with the captivating Cate Blanchett portraying Jude Quinn, one of six fictional characters representing different aspects of Dylan’s life and music.

IUmage: Trailer/ Vertigo Films/ YouTube

Johanna Wokalek - 'Pope Joan' (2009)

Johanna Wokalek stars in 'Pope Joan,' a film about a young woman who, refusing the societal roles imposed on her, disguises herself as a man and rises through the ecclesiastical ranks to become Pope.

Glenn Close – 'Albert Nobbs' (2011)

In late 19th-century Dublin, Albert Nobbs, a waiter at a prestigious hotel, is actually a woman who dresses as a man to work. Glenn Close’s performance is splendid, having previously worn male attire in a memorable cameo as a pirate in 'Hook' (1991) with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.