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United States Trace Lysette has transitioned from a notable actress in recurring television roles to critically acclaimed lead cinematic performances and a recognized advocate for transgender visibility in media.
Trace Lysette wrote an article in Ad Age about the scarcity of brand partnerships for trans individuals in the marketing world.
Lysette received the Human Rights Campaign Trailblazer Award in recognition of her advocacy and contributions.
Lysette was honored with the Revry TV Icon Award for her impact and status as an icon in television.
Lysette received the Queerties Groundbreaker Award, acknowledging her pioneering efforts and influence.
Lysette was awarded the OUTfest Legacy Award, sharing the honor with Shirley McClaine, celebrating her contributions to LGBTQ+ cinema.
Lysette wrote and sold a pilot with the working title 'Tribe' to FX, in association with Paul Feig and Powderkeg Media, based on her experiences in New York City during her twenties.
Lysette collaborated with Paul Feig on selling her pilot 'Tribe' to FX.
Lysette partnered with Powderkeg Media in the sale of her pilot 'Tribe' to FX.
Lysette collaborated with author Jason Yamas to write her first feature film, which is currently in development.
Trace Lysette won the GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film for her role in 'Monica'. GLAAD also assisted with a filmed letter to Hollywood advocating for more and improved roles for transgender people, which Trace Lysette was part of.
ScreenCrush collaborated with GLAAD and transgender actors, including Trace Lysette, on a filmed letter to Hollywood advocating for better transgender representation.
Trace Lysette featured as herself in the Netflix documentary 'Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen'.
In 2017, Trace Lysette recorded an online Public Service Announcement (PSA) with The Trevor Project dedicated to suicide prevention awareness for LGBTQ youth.
Trace Lysette featured on Cazwell's single, 'Taser in My Telfar Bag,' with Chanel Jole.
Trace Lysette appeared as a muse in the music video for Maroon 5's 'Girls Like You' featuring Cardi B.
Trace Lysette appeared as a muse in the music video for Cher's 'SOS'.
Trace Lysette appeared as a muse in the music video for Teyana Taylor's 'WTP'.
Trace Lysette appeared as a muse in the music video for The Shins' 'Name for You' (Flipped).
Trace Lysette appeared as a muse in the music video for Laverne Cox's 'Beat for the Gods'.
Transparent actress Trace Lysette signed with Anonymous Content.
Trace Lysette was born in 1981 in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in and around Dayton, Ohio. During her late teens, she was a track athlete and performed as a drag queen in clubs in Dayton and Columbus. After high school, Lysette moved to New York City in pursuit of opportunities, navigating financial struggles and a period of estrangement from her biological family during her gender transition. She found acceptance within the underground New York ball culture scene, where she has been a member since her young adulthood. Her professional acting journey began in 2007 with training at various studios in New York City. She made her television debut in 2013 with a guest appearance as Lila in an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” This role was notable as it marked one of the first instances of a transgender person appearing in a cisgender speaking role on primetime television in the U.S. Lysette continued to work in non-transgender roles early in her career.
A significant turning point in Lysette’s career occurred in 2014 when she publicly came out as transgender through her recurring role as Shea in the Amazon series “Transparent.” In this Golden Globe-winning series, she portrayed a transgender yoga teacher and friend to the main character, Maura Pfefferman. Lysette received an ensemble SAG Award nomination for her work on “Transparent,” with her season 3 arc opposite Jay Duplass drawing particular critical praise. Building on this success, she made her major feature film debut in 2019, starring as Tracey alongside Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and Constance Wu in the critically acclaimed box office hit “Hustlers.” Her career expanded to include recurring roles in series such as Jonathan Ames’ “Blunt Talk” opposite Sir Patrick Stewart, “Midnight Texas,” “POSE,” and “Drunk History.” She also appeared in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “David Makes Man” and Martin Gero’s “Quantum Leap” reboot.
Lysette achieved a major milestone in 2022 by playing the title role in Andrea Pallaoro’s film “Monica,” opposite Academy Award nominees Patricia Clarkson and Adriana Barraza. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving an eleven-and-a-half-minute standing ovation, and earned Lysette a nomination for Best Lead Performance at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, a Dorian Award nomination, and the GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film. She also starred in the art-house indie “Venus as a Boy” in 2021. Beyond acting, Lysette has been recognized with the HRC Trailblazer Award, the Revry TV Icon Award, the Queerties Groundbreaker Award, and the OUTfest Legacy award. In 2020, she wrote and sold a pilot titled “Tribe” to FX, based on her experiences in New York City during her twenties, and in 2025, she wrote her first feature film with author Jason Yamas, which is currently in development.
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