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20 of our favorite straight actors who played gay characters

By Ryan Broderick BuzzFeed
(CNN) - Whether it's for television or a feature film, it's not easy pull off a gay role as a straight actor. Many have tried, but it takes a great actor to make the role three dimensional and believable.
Steven Soderbergh's "Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace," which aired on HBO on Sunday, is being lauded by critics, especially for its touching, respectful, and well-rounded performances by Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.

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Here are 20 other actors that successfully pulled off playing a different sexuality on screen.
1. Tom Hanks, "Philadelphia"
2. Robin Williams, "The Birdcage"
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3. Matt Damon, "The Talented Mr. Ripley"
4. Greg Kinnear, "As Good As It Gets"
5. Hilary Swank, "Boys Don't Cry"
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6. Charlize Theron, "Monster"
7. Christina Ricci, "Monster"
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8. Jake Gyllenhaal, "Brokeback Mountain"
9. Heath Ledger, "Brokeback Mountain"
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10. Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"
11. Nelsan Ellis, "True Blood"
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12. Sean Penn, "Milk"
13. James Franco, "Milk"
14. Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family"
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15. Ewan McGregor, "I Love You Phillip Morris"
16. Jim Carrey, "I Love You Phillip Morris"
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17. Julianne Moore, "The Kids Are All Right"
18. Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
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19. Matt Damon, "Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace"
20. Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace"
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