Famous Crossdressers

by Shane Foster

As we have already explored in previous articles, crossdressing is much more acceptable today, and this is largely thanks to the great efforts made by some very famous people who are best known for their alter-egos.

So let’s take a look at some of those famous crossdressers who have helped to show that crossdressing is something that can be fun and enjoyed by all.

Today, there is no more well known crossdresser and drag artist than the world famous RuPaul. As well as an american drag queen, the 62 year old is a television personality, actor, musician and model. He is best known for producing, hosting and judging the reality competition ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ which has led to him being awarded several accolades, and being dubbed the ‘Queen of Drag’ As well as his famous drag career, he has also released several songs, appeared in several films and has even been star of the Netflix Series ‘AJ and the Queen’.

In terms of famous actors known for crossdressing, the most obvious is Tim Curry, who is best known for his performances in the film and musical stage productions of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’.

In recent times we have sadly lost 2 of the most famous drag artists to appear on our TV screens. The first is Lily Savage, the ever popular alter-ego of the late Paul O’Grady. He was known for his works as a comedian, broadcaster, drag queen, actor and writer, and was also noted in the London gay scene during the 1980’s when he gained popularity for this persona as Lily Savage. Paul was given several awards for his work and was also made an MBE in 2008 for his services to entertainment. Next to sadly leave us was Dame Edna Everage who was the creation of the talented Australian comedian, actor, author and satirist, Barry Humphries. Known for her lilac hair and cat eye glasses, she became a superstar of the screen and even a popular chat show host.

One of the most well known drag artists of all time though was the renowned Danny La Rue, the singer and entertainer who had a very successful career in theatrical productions, television shows and film. He was also well known for his celebrity impersonations, including Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Judy Garland, and he became one of Britain's highest-paid entertainers during the 1960’s and 1970’s. As well as several accolades, Danny was made an OBE in 2002.

Of course crossdressing is not just associated with modern famous people, there have been notable examples of crossdressers from history, and here are some examples.  

Emperor Elagabalus, or to give him his full name ‘Marcus Aurelius Antoninus’, became Emperor of Rome at the age of 14 and was well known for removing all of his body hair and regularly wearing makeup. He also reportedly made monetary offers to doctors to undertake surgery to make him into a woman, and was conspicuous for both sex scandals and religious controversy. All of this, along with him prostituting himself, led to his falling out of favour with both the Senate and the people of Rome and led ultimately to his assassination at the age of 18.

Francois De Choisy was a French author whose mother regularly dressed him in girls’ garments until he was 18 years old. The reason for this behaviour was believed to be politically motivated, since it stopped him posing a threat to his older brother, King Louis XIV. He later went on to become a noted author, particularly known for his works on church history, and he was even ordained as a priest.

The most notable crossdresser from history is Joan of Arc who, during the Hundred Years War, was said to have heard heavenly voices commanding her to cut her har, dress as a man, and go lead an army. She managed to convince Charles VII, the French claimant to the throne, that she was a real man and was given an army, which she led on a series of military successes that ended with Charles being crowned King. Then at the age of 19, Joan was captured and handed over to a pro-English Bishop, who subjected her to an illegal trial for heresy and was burned at the stake. Later, the unjust decision was overturned in court, and Joan of Arc is now considered a saint and a heroine of France.

Crossdressing has (thankfully) come a long way in today’s modern society, and the controversies of history are no longer seen as a big deal anymore.