Sometimes the best way to get recognition is to play against type.
And that is exactly what this list of 17 gender-bending actors and actresses did—for better or worse.
This weekend, Adam Sandler received a record breaking 11 Razzie nominations for his three terrible movies this year. One in particular, "Jack and Jill" earned him the disgrace of getting Worst Actor and Worst Actress.
Glenn Close, however, received an Oscar nod for this year's "Albert Nobbs," in which she plays a woman disguising herself as a male butler.
In honor of Sandler's horrific display of comedic talent and Close's cross-dressing brush with Oscar, we've compiled the best and worst gender-bending performances on screen from the past 50 years.
BEST: Glenn Close "Albert Nobbs"
The same year that Adam Sandler offered up a terrible cross-dressing performance in "Jack&Jill," Glenn Close delivered one that received an Oscar nomination.
Close plays Albert Nobbs, a woman who has disguised herself as a man for 30 years in order to serve as a butler and save up money for her own shop.
The actress received her sixth Oscar nomination for the role while the film was also nominated for Best Makeup (rightfully so) and Best Supporting Actress for Janet McTeer who also expertly plays a woman who disguises herself as a man.
WORST: Adam Sandler "Jack and Jill"
Following in the footsteps of Eddie Murphy's disgustingly bad "Norbit," Adam Sandler tackles cross dressing in this film about a man who must spend Thanksgiving with his awful twin sister, who then refuses to leave his house and family.
If screeching like a hyena were a talent, Sandler would win an Oscar for it in this film. His "Jill" is an absolute disaster who actually attracts the advances of Al Pacino, playing himself as a total creep.
It's no wonder Sandler was nominated for Worst Actor and Actress.
The film also had the dishonor of cleaning up with Razzie nominations including a Worst Supporting Actress nod for Katie Holmes (as Sandler's wife), two Worst Supporting Actor nods for Pacino and Sandler movie staple Nick Swarsdon, Worst Screenplay, Worst Director and Worst Picture, just to name a few.
BEST: Robin Williams "Mrs. Doubtfire"
Another man-becomes-woman film, this movie works solely on the comedic talent of Robin Williams.
"Mrs. Doubtfire" is a sweet film about a man who loses his family and must dress as a female housekeeper to get close to them again.
Williams shines as Mrs. Doubtfire and as his male self Daniel Hillard. His affinity for impressions, voices and physical comedy make this film a must-see for all audiences.
Check out Williams doing his, or well, "her," thing:
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See Also:
- Oscar's 8 Most-Wicked Business Characters Ever
- 10 Actors Who Won Oscars But Couldn't Recapture The Magic
- The Oscars Are Out, The Razzies Are In!