10 Celebrities Who Have Played Gay Characters

From Ricky Martin to Salma Hayek, meet 10 celebrities who have played an LGBTQ character in film and television with precision and respect. Many of these celebs have even received an Oscar for their performance.
By Thatiana Diaz
July 25, 2017 01:00 PM

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Ricky Martin

Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Ricky Martin will be playing Antonio D'Amico, romantic partner of the late Italian designer Gianni Versace, in the series American Crime Story: Versace, which is set to air in 2018.

This role marks Martin's return to acting. As a performer, he also has a residency at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Martin, who is engaged to artist Jwan Yosef, is an advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ community.

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Edgar Ramírez

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Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez will bring to life designer Gianni Versace in the series American Crime Story: Versace. Although the series hasn't been released, his interpretation is already getting positive buzz.

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Charlize Theron

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Charlize Theron stunned with her role as Aileen in the movie Monster, which earned her the Oscar for Best Actress in 2004.

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Salma Hayek

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Salma Hayek played Mexican painter Frida Khalo in the film Frida, which included a scene where she kisses actress Ashley Judd.

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Javier Bardem

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Javier Bardem plays a gay doctor in the 1999 Spanish-language film Segunda Piel (Second Skin). A year later, his portrayal of Cuban painter Reinaldo Arenas in the movie Antes Que Anochezca (Before Night Falls) earned him international recognition.

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Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks won an Oscar for Best Actor for the role of a gay lawyer who fights for his rights in the film Philadelphia (1993).

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Eric Stonestreet

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Eric Stonestreet plays the role of Cameron Tucker, a popular gay character in the series Modern Family (ABC).

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Jared Leto

Jared Leto won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for playing Rayon, a young transgender, in the movie Dallas Buyer Club (2013).

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Cate Blanchett

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Cate Blanchett, who played Carol Aird, a lesbian woman in the film Carol (2015), garnered excellent reviews and even an Oscar nomination.

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Sean Penn

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Sean Penn, producer, actor and film director, played gay politician and rights activist Harvey Milk in the movie Milk (2008). He went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor in 2009.

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By Thatiana Diaz