Silence of the Lambs Actor Suddenly Regrets Playing Villain Role After Transgender Criticism

Actor Ted Levine is speaking out about his portrayal of Buffalo Bill in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs, addressing longstanding criticism from members of the transgender community, as reported by Page Six.

Levine, who played the serial killer Jame Gumb — known as Buffalo Bill — told The Hollywood Reporter that his perspective on the role has evolved over time.

“There are certain aspects of the movie that don’t hold up too well,” Levine said.

35 Jahre später bedauert Ted Levine seine Rolle als transsexueller Killer https://t.co/Os1JXDelX0

— WELT (@welt) February 16, 2026

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The character of Buffalo Bill has faced criticism for decades. In the film, the killer murders women and harvests their skin in an effort to create a suit.

Although the character’s sexual orientation is not explicitly stated, some viewers have interpreted him as transgender or gender-nonconforming.

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Levine acknowledged that attitudes and awareness have changed since the film’s release 35 years ago.

“We all know more, and I’m a lot wiser about transgender issues,” he said. “There are some lines in that script and movie that are unfortunate.”

He added that his views have shifted through experience and exposure.

“[It’s] just over time and having gotten aware and worked with trans folks, and understanding a bit more about the culture and the reality of the meaning of gender,” Levine said.

“It’s unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it’s f–king wrong. And you can quote me on that,” he continued.

At the same time, Levine said his interpretation of the character was different from how some critics have framed it.

“I didn’t play him as being gay or trans. I think he was just a f–ked up heterosexual man. That’s what I was doing,” he said.

The film, directed by Jonathan Demme, was released on Valentine’s Day in 1991 and became a global box office success.

It went on to win five Academy Awards, including best actor, best actress, best screenplay, best director and best picture.

Anthony Hopkins starred as Hannibal Lecter, a cannibalistic serial killer who assists FBI trainee Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, in tracking down Buffalo Bill.

Edward Saxon, Demme’s producing partner, also addressed the controversy in comments to The Hollywood Reporter.

“We were really loyal to the book. As we made the film, there was just no question in our minds that Buffalo Bill was a completely aberrant personality — that he wasn’t gay or trans,” Saxon said.

“He was sick. To that extent, we missed it. From my point of view, we weren’t sensitive enough to the legacy of a lot of stereotypes and their ability to harm,” he explained.

Saxon added, “There’s regret, but it didn’t come from any place of malice. It actually came from a place of seeing this guy. We all had dear friends and family who were gay. We thought it would just be very clear that Buffalo Bill adapts different things from society, from a place of an incredibly sick pathology.”

35 years since the masterpiece Silence Of The Lambs was released, Buffalo Bill actor, Ted Levine is now trying to tell us his character wasn’t gay or wanted to be a transformer. GTFO! pic.twitter.com/A2ZF25vr5J

— Going To The Pictures (@GoToThePictures) February 15, 2026

More than three decades after its release, the film remains one of the most recognized thrillers in Hollywood history, even as debate over its portrayal of Buffalo Bill continues.

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