Top 10 Drag Performances on TV Sitcoms & Dramas
Anne Gould Northgraves - January 28, 2013
Article originally published on February 1, 2010 and recently updated.
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Tonight, you'll be seeing double drag! First, RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE has its 5th season premiere at 9pm ET on Logo. Then, UNTUCKED: RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE opens its new season at 12:30am late night, giving viewers a glimpse at all the tantrums and drama that DIDN'T appear in the first episode.
What better way to celebrate the occasion than by looking back at some of the most memorable drag performances on TV sitcoms and dramas?
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Tom Hanks as Kip Wilson/Buffy
Series: BOSOM BUDDIES Episode(s): Multiple Tom Hanks has shown amazing range in films, such as "Big," "Forrest Gump," and "Philadelphia," and it all started with this transformative role as one of two pals who must disguise themselves as women to rent an apartment. |
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David Cross as Tobias Fünke/Mrs. Featherbottom
Series: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Episode(s): Multiple Tobias takes a positive goal — remaining close to his daughter — coupled with an ill-attempt at his atrocious acting and failed Britishisms — such as "Who wants a banger in the mouth" — and creates a scene for the ages. |
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Jamie Farr as Maxwell Klinger
Series: M*A*S*H Episode(s): Multiple Max Klinger is most remembered for his endearing and repeated attempts to be discharged from the Army for mental instability, which he tried to prove by constantly wearing elaborate women's clothing. As usual, M*A*S*H takes a serious look at the lengths people will go to leave the service AND is still genuinely funny. |
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Martin Lawrence as Sheneneh Jenkins
Series: MARTIN Episode(s): Multiple Martin Payne's neighbor, Sheneneh, is a sassy, fun, and hilarious woman. The character is simultaneously a send-up of stereotypes and an homage to strong-willed women who own themselves and their image. |
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Max Baer, Jr. as Jethrine Bodine
Series: THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES Episode(s): Multiple The show's lovable lug, Jethro Bodine, dressed in women's clothing to play his sister, Jethrine. Besides the comedy, Jethrine's appearance is memorable for two reasons: her voice is dubbed by an actual women (making it all the funnier) and Baer looks pretty darn good as a woman. |
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Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
Series: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Episode(s): I Heart NJ Always the ladies' man, Barney has never shied away from a challenge. Even his biggest challenge of all: getting a lesbian to be interested in him. The show implies he has tried before, and will try again. Lucky for us, the sight of a lipstick-wearing Barney is too good to wish him much success. |
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John Ritter as Jack Tripper/Grandma Tripper
Series: THREE'S COMPANY Episode(s): Grandma Jack Tripper was good at playing pretend, just like Ritter himself. From acting like a gay man around their landlord to dressing as his grandmother to win a female-only baking contest, Ritter's go-for-broke comic chops are in full effect.
Bonus Drag Appearance: John Ritter also appeared in drag on The Love Boat in the 1st season. |
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Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence "Clarice" Bell
Series: BOSTON LEGAL Episode(s): multiple episodes Clarice, the cross-dressing alter-ego of Clarence Bell, was supposedly fired for requesting maternity leave and told Alan "They don't let me take maternity, they stare at my knockers. Know what I'm sayin'?" Spoken like a truly ticked-off transvestite! |
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Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan Series: 30 ROCK Episode(s): Believe in the Stars While attempting to prove that white women have it easier then black men in the US, Tracy ups his speaking by an octave, puts on whiteface, and dresses like a woman. And Lobster hands. Because he ran out of makeup. Yeah, it's ludicrous. And hilarious. Just ask Oprah! |
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Alexander Skarsgard as Eric
Series: TRUE BLOOD Episode(s): Frenzy A traumatized Lafayette imagines a yelling Lettie Mae Thornton as the vampire who tortured him. Plus, how could we pass up the sight of Alexander Skarsgard in a dress? |
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And what about one of the best performances by a woman dressed as a man in a TV sitcom?
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