6 LGBTQ+ Actors Who Should Play J.D. Vance on Saturday Night Live

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Live from New York, it’s J.D. Vance stunt casting time on SNL!

Now that it’s confirmed that Madame Vice President — excuse me, Maya Rudolph — will be returning to Saturday Night Live in the fall to continue her stint playing presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, speculation has already begun to swirl as to who will fill out SNL’s ticket of political impressions. Trump is already locked in, as cast member James Austin Johnson was hired with a Trump caricature as part of his repertoire. (He took over the gig from Alec Baldwin, who won an Emmy for his goonish interpretation of the former president.)

And while we don’t yet know the victor of Kamala Harris’ veepstakes, we do at least know one other person who is going to be present during the political season and who needs to be cast ASAP: I’m talking, of course, about J.D. Vance, famous opponent of LGBTQ+ rights and “childless cast ladies” alike. It’s not usually that big of a deal when a VP gets cast — I only remember that Beck Bennett played Mike Pence because I had a crush on Bennett — but given the litany of punchlines that have already been uttered at Vance’s expense, finding someone to assume the milquetoast mantle is probably a priority for the long-running variety show.

Though Vance may have once had a trans friend, his “cruel” record on LGBTQ+ issues makes this a great opportunity for a queer or trans actor or comedian to lampoon him. I mean, hey, if Republicans are already recoiling at the word “weird,” then maybe an impression from the queer community may be enough to set them over the edge?

Filling a role isn’t an exact science, but here are some people we’d like to see in the running.

Andrew Rannells

Despite Vance’s embrace of a masculinist, anti-woman politic, the guy ain’t Spartacus. Rannells, who at 45 years old, is close to Vance’s age, has the solid acting and comedic chops to pull off the dual duty it takes to depict the Ohio senator’s wishy-washy core and faux-tough veneer. Though he might be best known for his roles on Girls or his Tony-nominated stint in Book of Mormon, he’s also done incredible work on the Showtime series Black Monday, in which he played straight. The casting of Alec Baldwin proved that the correct formula for a stunt cast is to find someone who can balance acting acumen with comedic timing, and Rannells would be able to walk that tightrope with ease.

Molly Kearney

There are those — like me — who actually find stunt casting tedious at times. One of Saturday Night Live’s strengths is that they’ve already assembled an incredible smorgasbord of comedic talent. So why not look at the comedians in the room? SNL’s first nonbinary cast member Molly Kearney fits the bill perfectly. Not only would it be a kick to see someone who delivered a stunning monologue on right-wing anti-trans hypocrisy turn around and skewer Vance, Kearney has already proven that they’re adept at playing people of all genders.

“I can fully equally play men and women and that’s really fun,” Kearney told the Chicago Sun-Times last year. “I can put on a wig and be [Irish actor] Brendan Gleeson one week and then I’m a pageant queen the next. My favorite part about SNL is you can really be anybody.” Kearney has already done well fitting in the cast, but with two seasons under their belt, it will be nice to see them get a real breakout moment, and this could be it.

Daniel Franzese

As someone who has spent a bit of time in their day on Bear Twitter, let me tell you: There have been many jokes that J.D. Vance most certainly resembles someone who spends their summers in P Town. As such, why not recruit one of Beardom’s best-known actors — Mean Girls’ Daniel Franzese — to depict someone who basically looks like everyone at The Eagle? We don’t need to remind you of Franzese’s comedic chops; he’s part of one of the funniest films of all time. And with stints on Looking and several other television series, it’s clear he also has the acting talent to pull off a Vance.

Adam Lambert

Speaking of bears, American Idol alum Adam Lambert certainly fits the bill, as well. Though he is less known for his acting, he is known for his theatricality. You don’t get asked to sub in for Freddie Mercury for your minimalism. Lambert has also recently begun to stretch his acting muscles by taking roles in Broadway’s Cabaret as well as the film Fairyland. Since we know his Broadway duties will mean he’s already in New York, why not just extend the sublease and walk down to 30 Rock?

Trixie Mattel

When it comes to drag performers who have made significant acting inroads, the list doesn’t end at the talented Jinkx Monsoon. If you want a drag performer who can really nail the Midwestern affect and who has comedic gifts to spare, you can’t beat All Stars 3 winner Trixie Mattel. Currently, the drag superstar is on a three-month break from performing in her drag persona, but that break should be ending just as Saturday Night Live is ready to come back. As a queen who is already a multi-hyphenate — she has a make-up company, a gay bar, a hotel, hosts The Pit Stop, judged Queen of the Universe, among many more venture — why not add Emmy-nominated comedian to the résumé?

Chaz Bono

If you want stunt casting, it doesn’t get much stuntier than the trans child of two of music’s biggest icons. Given the right’s obsession with trans people, there may be nothing better than watching a well-known trans man like Chaz Bono assume the role of J.D. Vance. Though most known for being the literal child of Cher and his outspoken activism, Bono has recently taken on more acting roles. He has appeared in horror fare, including two seasons of American Horror Story, and on comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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