There's something of a debate going on in Hollywood at the moment about who gets to play which roles. Bryan Cranston has taken a role as a disabled man in 'The Upside,' which has drawn criticism from some quarters. There are plenty of real-life disabled actors who wanted that part.
Similar conversations have taken place about straight actors playing gay roles, or transgender parts going to actors who aren't actually trans. Trans actors feel that it's hard enough for them to get major parts without suitable roles being taken by people who aren't really trans. It's become a controversial issue.
For filmmakers though, it's a question of giving the roles to the people who can play them most convincingly, regardless of their ability or disability, race, orientation or gender. There are plenty of straight actors who have excelled playing gay characters on screen. Here are just a few of them!
