Cross-dressing in film and television

Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel brought the tradition from the English music halls when they came to the United States with Fred Karno's comedy troupe in 1910.

Even the beefy American actor Wallace Beery appeared in a series of silent films as a Swedish woman.

Dr. Frank 'n' Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show wore nothing but women's clothing the entire film/play.

Dame Edna was an elderly drag queen with "wisteria-colored hair" who did international chat shows in the 1990s.

Many other comedy films include instances of humorous cross-dressing, but do not feature it as a central plot element.