TILDA SWINTON
This fabulously regal actress made her mark in the title role. Of her other films, Female Perversions and Derek Jarman's Edward II are readily available on video. She is now enthralling audiences in The Deep End, a remarkable film. Learn more at a great fan site.

JIMMY SOMERVILLE
In the movie he serenaded Eliza, and, finally, Orlando. The man himself is a noteworthy pop star, admired worldwide. Tour dates and many more facts are at the official site.

QUENTIN CRISP
"The 21st Century will be worse than the 20th, and you'll have to go with it. I shall be gone." As Orlando's Virgin Queen, the 90-year-old legend had a crowning cameo. He was famed for his memoirs, The Naked Civil Servant and Resident Alien. Pay tribute to the venerable Mr. Crisp online.

CHARLOTTE VALANDREY
Princess Sasha wasn't her first portrayal of a flirtatious French-speaking Russian-- she starred in Rouge Baiser as a lively Parisian Communist. The limited distribution of her other movies means that this actress is mystérieuse.

HEATHCOTE WILLIAMS
As Greene, he appeared first as a 1650 poet and then as Orlando's modern-day publisher. Williams himself is an author who has supplemented his writing by appearing in films (he destroyed Sally Potter's living quarters in The Tango Lesson). Among his quartos are "Sacred Elephant," "Whale Nation," and the stunning "Autogeddon".

LOTHAIRE BLUTEAU
As the Khan, Bluteau gave a toast to "brotherly love" and showcased his sublime disposition. This Quebecois actor got recognition as Jesus de Montréal, was to die for in I Shot Andy Warhol, and led the cast of the Holocaust drama Bent.

JOHN WOOD
His character, Archduke Harry, appeared in the 1700 and 1750 portions of the film. In the novel, Harry adopted the persona of Archduchess Harriet Griselda, who horrified Orlando. But John Wood's brilliant career as a character actor has placed him in films with classy dames from Rita Hayworth to Uma Thurman.

PETER EYRE
Though he was impish as Alexander Pope, a cameo in The Tango Lesson proved Eyre to be a man of statuesque proportions. He excels at playing wily, witty characters in period pieces. However, his resume reveals that he appeared on the sitcom "Friends."

KATHRYN HUNTER
The voice and blithe comedy of her Countess stole the 1750 portion of Orlando. No stranger to regendered productions, this English theatre actress has played King Lear and portrayed Will Dawes in Our Country's Good. She starred in Brecht's Mother Courage. Among her credits as director: The Comedy of Errors. Fierce!

BILLY ZANE
He brought old-time star quality to the film as Shelmerdine, the gallant American esquire. Zane is also known for his campy work in Titanic ("The only thing missing at the dinner scene was Cal's rousing version of 'Sweet Transvestite' with a full orchestra backup" --Paul Horne). His appeal runs deep on the web.

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