rukkle’s 2014 Oscars Review – Straight Actors Who Won Oscars for Gay Roles

The 2014 Oscars will be held on March 2nd hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Prior to the awards being handed out, rukkle provides you with a list of straight actors who won Oscars for gay roles.

You’ve already read our list of actors nominated for Oscars for playing gay roles. Now in preparation for the 2014 Oscars ceremony, we’re sharing our list of straight actors who have won Oscars for playing gay roles.

William Hurt – Winner of Best Actor in Kiss of the Spider Woman

William Hurt was the first straight actor to win an Oscar for portraying a gay character. He played Molina in the 1985 film, Kiss of the Spider Woman. He was a flamboyant and movie obsessed prisoner, who eventually gets shot and his body is tossed into a dumpster.

Watch the trailer for Kiss of the Spider Woman…

Tom Hanks – Winner of Best Actor in Philadelphia

Tom Hanks was mostly known for comedic roles up until Philadelphia in 1993. In the film, he played a lawyer who died of AIDS.

Watch Tom Hanks’ acceptance speech for Philadelphia…

Hilary Swank – Winner of Best Actress in Boys Don’t Cry

Hilary Swank was the first actress to win for portraying a transgender character. Swank played Brandon Teena in 1999′s Boys Don’t Cry.

Watch the trailer for Boys Don’t Cry…

Nicole Kidman – Winner of Best Actress in The Hours

The Hours was nominated in 2002 and featured the all star cast of Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman. Kidman’s portrayal of famed author Virginia Woolf stole the movie.

Watch Nicole Kidman’s acceptance speech for The Hours…

Charlize Theron – Winner of Best Actress in Monster

Charlize Theron shocked audiences with her less than flattering looks in the film, Monster. She won the Oscar in 2003 for Monster, which saw her gain weight and lose make up to portray a real life lesbian serial killer who eventually is executed by lethal injection.

Watch the trailer for Monster…

Philip Seymour Hoffman – Winner of Best Actor in Capote

Recently deceased Philip Seymour Hoffman was celebrated for his portrayal of author, Truman Capote in 2005. Capote captured the true story of Capote’s true crime novel, In Cold Blood.

Watch Philip Seymour Hoffman’s acceptance speech for Capote…

Sean Penn – Winner of Best Actor in Milk

Sean Penn was awarded the Oscar in 2009 for his portrayal of gay activist Harvey Milk.

Watch the trailer for Milk…

Natalie Portman – Winner of Best Actress in Black Swan

Now this one is up to debate, as Natalie Portman’s character wasn’t described as being a lesbian or bisexual. In Black Swan, her character did have a memorable sexual encounter with a rival ballerina (played by Mila Kunis) that brought many guys to see the art house film.

Watch Natalie Portman’s acceptance speech for Black Swan…

Christopher Plummer – Winner of Best Supporting Actor in Beginners

It took until 2012 for Christopher Plummer to receive his first Oscar. He won it for his portrayal of an old man who comes out of the closet at a very late stage in his life.

Watch the trailer for Beginners…

This year’s Oscars will be hosted by Ellen Degeneres on March 2nd. Watch Ellen’s latest promo for the event on YouTube.

Have we forgotten any other straight actors who have won Oscars for portraying gay characters?

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