From Fox News: Ted Levine, who played Buffalo Bill in the film Silence of the Lambs, spoke out about transphobia criticism the movie has received since its release 35 years ago.
The portrayal of the character Buffalo Bill, also known as Jame Gumb, has been criticized over the years by the transgender community as harmful.
Buffalo Bill was a serial killer [who] murdered women in order to harvest their skin to wear.
Despite the character’s sexual orientation not being outwardly stated, he was seen as trans and gender-nonconforming in the film.
“There are certain aspects of the movie that don’t hold up too well,” said Levine in comments to The Hollywood Reporter.
“We all know more, and I’m a lot wiser about transgender issues,” he continued. “There are some lines in that script and movie that are unfortunate.”
“[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 added. “It’s unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it’s f——- wrong. And you can quote me on that.”
Levin said he didn’t play Buffalo Bill “as being gay or trans,” however.
“I think he was just a f——up heterosexual man,” Levine said. “That’s what I was doing.”
RECKONING: ‘Silence of the Lambs’ star Ted Levine says the film’s Buffalo Bill character ‘vilified’ the transgender community, calling it ‘f—ing wrong’ 35 years after release. https://t.co/PdOIb16Gh1
— Fox News Entertainment (@FoxNewsEnt) February 15, 2026
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