20 trans and nonbinary actors who are changing the industry for the better

Elliot Fletcher is a trans man widely known for his roles in The Fosters and Shameless. In 2020, he appeared in a documentary, Trans Lives on Screen, that detailed the the movie industry's portrayal of trans characters throughout the years and how they've impacted American culture.

In addition to Elliot, Brian Michael Smith is another trans actor who appeared in the Netflix documentary Trans Lives on Screen. He's also been in productions like Queen Sugar, The L Word, and Blue Bloods. His most recent role is that of Paul in the Fox drama series 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Laverne Cox has been breaking barriers since she first stepped onto the scene. After her exceptional performance as Sophia in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, Cox became the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category. Since then, she's done so much more, including acting in other shows and movies and hosting red-carpet events for award shows.

Peppermint is best known for coming in second during Season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race. However, her time in the entertainment industry didn't stop there. She made her Broadway debut in Head Over Heels, appeared in Season 2 of Peacock's The Traitors, and snagged a recurring role as herself in Netflix's Survival of the Thickest. How cool is that?

Mason Alexander Park is a non-binary actor currently taking Hollywood by storm. They got their first break with recurring roles in iCarly and Cowboy Bebop. But since then, they've scored main roles in a few titles, including The Sandman and Quantum Leap. The 29-year-old also has a thriving career on the stage. In 2018, they appeared in The Rocky Horror Show. And in 2021, they played Charlotte von Mahlsdort in I Am My Own Wife.

Elliot Page is one of the most visible trans actors in the entertainment industry today. During an interview with Oprah, the Oscar-nominated actor had an emotional moment when discussing their transition: "[What's brought me the most joy] is being about to touch my chest and feel comfortable in my body for the first time."

Felix Mufti is one name everybody should be talking about. The trans actor appeared in the final season of Netflix's Sex Education as Roman, but they do much more than acting. Felix also runs a company named Transcend Theatre, focusing on telling trans stories.

You may recognize Emma Corrin as Diana, Princess of Wales, from the Netflix series The Crown or as Darby Hart from A Murder at the End of the World. The actor has been open about being non-binary. They discussed it during an interview with The New York Times, and in 2021, they posted on Instagram about purchasing their first "proper binder" — a garment used to flatten one's chest.

Jonathan Van Ness revealed they were non-binary during an interview with Out in 2019. Their resume is stacked, mostly with roles where they played themselves. However, they did voice the role of a confident stylist in the Disney animated series Big City Greens in 2019. Plus, Jonathan is one of the faces of the Netflix reality series Queer Eye, which has won a handful of awards, including several Emmys.

Ian Alexander came out as trans in 2014, and two years later, began appearing in titles like The OA, Every Day, and The Last of Us Part II/. In 2020, they booked the role of Gray in Star Trek: Discovery, the first transgender character ever in the popular franchise.

Janelle revealed she was non-binary in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "#IAmNonbinary," they wrote. In addition to releasing chart-topping music, Janelle is also a powerhouse actor, snagging roles in Moonlight and Glass Onion.

Amandla Stenberg's career started when they were younger and claimed a role in the Zoe Saldaña starring film Colombiana. Since then, they've used their platform to raise awareness on a number of social issues and have continued growing as an actor, performing in The Hate U Give and Dear Evan Hansen. 

Tom Phelan is mostly known for their time on the ABC Family series The Fosters. In it, they played a transgender teen named Cole, whose existence in the show was praised as groundbreaking and one that meant a lot to viewers.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has been in the industry since 2012, with small roles in shows like Nurse Jackie and The Carrie Diaries. She experienced a rise in popularity in 2018 as one of the lead roles in the FX series, Pose, which told the stories of several Black and Latino queer people in NYC's ballroom scene. 

Indya Moore is another trans and non-binary actor who starred in the FX show Pose. Moore also voiced the role of Brooklyn in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, an openly trans girl with a confident personality who's also the captain of her school's volleyball team.

Dominique Jackson, a trans actor and model, has quite the story to tell. Before blowing up in the entertainment industry, Jackson experienced homelessness and racked up serious debt while trying to survive. She became part of NYC's ballroom scene and, from there, appeared in several LGBTQ+-themed works. In 2018, she originated the role of Elektra Abundance on the FX series Pose and has since filmed episodes of Legendary, American Horror Stories, and Fantasmas.

Laith Ashley came out as trans in 2013. In 2014, he had a special encounter with Laverne Cox, who inspired him to continue living his life loud and proud. He's appeared on the covers of GQ, Vogue, Out Magazine, and Gay Times. Ashley was the first trans man to be part of the pit crew on RuPaul's Drag Race and, in 2023, appeared as the love interest in Taylor Swift's "Lavender Haze" music video.

Zach Barack is making a name for himself in the industry. The 28-year-old became the first openly transgender actor in a Marvel film, Spider-Man: Far From Home. This exposure led to additional roles, specifically in the Gabrielle Union-starring series LA's Finest.

Tyler DiChiara is another trans actor with lead roles in the CW's Gotham Knights and the 2019 film Relish. He told Digital Spy during an interview that seeing Laverne Cox in Orange Is the New Black inspired him to be the queer representation he wanted to see on screen. "I didn't know at the time I had the confidence to do it. But I was like: 'Okay, if she can do it, maybe there's a chance down the line. I can give it a try.'"

Scott Turner Schofield is a trans activist who became the first openly trans actor on daytime television when he starred in CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful. In 2020, he also became the first trans man to earn an Emmy nomination for acting.