'Silence of the Lambs' Star Criticizes Film's Portrayal of Gender Identity

Ted Levine, who played Buffalo Bill, says the movie's handling of the character was "f***ing wrong".

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ted Levine, the actor who played the serial killer Buffalo Bill in the 1991 film "Silence of the Lambs", has criticized the movie's portrayal of gender identity. Levine says the character was not intended to be a representation of transgender or gender nonconforming people, but that the film "vilified that, and it's f***ing wrong." The film's producer, Edward Saxon, also acknowledged that the team was not sensitive enough to stereotypes, though he said it "didn't come from any place of malice."

Why it matters

"Silence of the Lambs" has faced criticism in recent years for its depiction of Buffalo Bill, with many claiming the character is an unflattering portrayal of transgender or gender nonconforming individuals. This latest commentary from the film's star and producer highlights the ongoing debate around the movie's handling of gender identity and the need for more sensitivity and representation in Hollywood.

The details

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levine said he always portrayed Buffalo Bill as a "screwed-up straight man" and had no qualms about the character at the time of filming. However, he says that "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," he now sees the film's portrayal as problematic. Producer Edward Saxon echoed Levine's sentiments, admitting the filmmakers weren't sensitive enough to stereotypes, though he said it "didn't come from any place of malice."

  • "Silence of the Lambs" was released in 1991.

The players

Ted Levine

The actor who played the character of Buffalo Bill in the 1991 film "Silence of the Lambs".

Edward Saxon

The producer of "Silence of the Lambs" who acknowledged the film's lack of sensitivity in its portrayal of gender identity.

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What they’re saying

“It's unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it's f***ing wrong.”

— Ted Levine, Actor (The Hollywood Reporter)

“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.”

— Edward Saxon, Producer (The Hollywood Reporter)

The takeaway

This commentary from the star and producer of "Silence of the Lambs" highlights the ongoing need for more sensitivity and accurate representation of gender identity in Hollywood films. While the filmmakers may not have intended to offend, their portrayal of Buffalo Bill has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes, underscoring the importance of consulting with and including diverse perspectives when depicting marginalized communities on screen.