From John Travolta to Gwyneth Paltrow, these are the actors that absolutely nailed playing the opposite sex
COMEDY actors have been known to play the opposite gender in film from as early as Charlie Chaplin himself.
However, some have been more convincing than others in their quest to play the other sex.
Here, we look at the actors and actresses that we think deserve a special mention for the most believable performances.
Robin Williams, Mrs Doubtfire
Renowned as one of the greatest comedy actors of all time, Robin Williams's role as Mrs Doubtfire had audiences in awe.
In the film, he plays a devoted dad that takes on the guise of Mrs Doubtfire, a fictional nanny hired by his wife to look after the children.
Williams portrays the Nanny with perfect comic timing (as he always did) and the perfect hint of heart-warming fatherly love.
There is no doubt that Robin Williams deserves to sit at the top of this list.
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
More recently known for her leading role in Carol, with 7 Academy Award nominations under her belt, it's of no surprise that Cate Blanchett is capable of such an inspiring performance.
One of her seven Oscar nominations was for Best Supporting Actress in the film I'm Not There which involved her portraying just one facet of musician Bob Dylan's public personas.
Jude Quinn, the male role that Blanchett took on, is an ex-folk singer that is accused of selling-out, much like Dylan was in the 1960s.
Despite starring alongside the likes of Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Richard Gere in the film, Blanchett's performance is considered to be one of the best following the Oscar nomination and receiving of a Golden Globe for the role.
Angelina Jolie, Salt
In the 2010 film, Salt, one of the world's most beautiful Hollywood actresses, Angelina Jolie, played a very convincing man.
The actress plays Evelyn Scott, a CIA agent that is accused of being a Russian spy.
Throughout the film she takes on a number of disguises but this is by far the most dramatic.
With the heavy use of prosthetics, we feel as though this one might be the most visually convincing of the bunch.
Related Stories
Michael J. Fox, Back to the Future II
In Back to the Future II, we see Marty with his future family.
The most disturbing yet entertaining part of this scenario is Michael J. Fox's role as both Marty (of course) and Marty's daughter, Marlene McFly.
Throughout the film, Fox played four different characters but this is the one that stands out the most amongst audiences.
If you're only just being made aware of this fact, it's totally ok - he's very convincing.
Tilda Swinton, Orlando
In 1993, Tilda Swinton played Orlando in the film adaptation of Virgina Woolf's novel, Orlando.
The plot involves a male Orlando one day waking up as a woman.
Although the role didn't see Swinton nominated for an Oscar, she was nominated for a European Film Award in the Best Actress category.
Despite going on to win an Oscar in 2007 for her role in Michael Clayton, we think the actress's performance in Orlando was first-class.
John Travolta, Hairspray
2007 was the year that John Travolta officially broke out of his masculine shell when he starred as Edna Turnblad in the film adaptation of the musical, Hairspray.
On stage, the role is traditionally played by a male.
Keeping in tone with the musical's traditions, casting directors went with Travolta.
The actor to achieve the ultimate 1960s housewife look.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love
Winning the 1998 Academy Award for Best Actress, Gwyneth Paltrow's performance as Viola De Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love is not one to slip the mind when thinking of multi-roling actors.
With women not allowed on the stage, Viola takes on a male alter-ego to audition for the role of Romeo.
Paltrow's performance in the film is widely considered one of the real breakthroughs in her career.