# Kelly Mantle
**Kelly Mantle** (full name Kelly Leroy Mantle) is an American actor, singer-songwriter, comedian, drag performer, and podcast host, born in 1976 in [Oklahoma City](https://www.edgepedia.org/oklahoma-city), Oklahoma[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/) • [2](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/100525-kelly-mantle). Mantle is best known for a scene-stealing role in the film *Confessions of a Womanizer*, for which the Academy approved consideration in both the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories, and for hosting the comedy interview podcast *The Kelly Mantle Show*[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) • [4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/) |
| Oscars first | First openly non-binary person approved and considered by the Academy for both Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress, for *Confessions of a Womanizer*[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) |
| Drag Race | Season 6 contestant; eliminated in episode 1, placing 13th/14th[5](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Kelly_Mantle) |
| Music | Three albums: *Ever Changing* (2002), *Rock-N-Glow* (2004), *Satellite Baby* (2007)[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) |
| Training | B.F.A. in Theatre, University of Oklahoma; graduate of Second City, Chicago[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/) |
| Family | Niece or nephew of New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/) |
| Podcast | *The Kelly Mantle Show*, a weekly comedy interview podcast co-executive produced by Trixie and Katya[4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf) |
## Background and training
Mantle grew up in Oklahoma, like their uncle, the baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, and has joked about the shared family trait of being "switch-hitters"[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/). Mantle received a B.F.A. in Theatre from the [University of Oklahoma](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-oklahoma) and is also a graduate of the Second City comedy school in Chicago[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/). In interviews, Mantle has said the ambition to act dates to early childhood, watching reruns of *The Carol Burnett Show*, and that an early drag memory was insisting on auditioning for the role of Annie in community theater and being turned away[6](https://guttercandydotnet.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/kelly-mantle-interview/) • [7](https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2014/02/26/last-words-rupauls-drag-races-kelly-mantle).
## Acting career
Mantle's television guest credits include *Lucifer*, *Modern Family*, *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, *Mike & Molly*, *Rizzoli & Isles*, *NYPD Blue*, *Nip/Tuck*, *Cold Case*, *Gilmore Girls*, and *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation*, among many others[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) • [8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kelly-mantle/credits/3030077672/). As a stage actor, Mantle has starred in more than 50 plays, including the critically acclaimed solo show *The Confusion of My Illusion*, which premiered at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/).
**Confessions of a Womanizer.** Mantle played Ginger, a transgender prostitute, in the indie film *Confessions of a Womanizer*, which premiered at the Oscar-affiliated Cinequest Film Festival in March[7](https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2014/02/26/last-words-rupauls-drag-races-kelly-mantle) • [9](https://www.ocweekly.com/kelly-mantles-most-transformational-role-7775245/). The film's producers sought consideration for the performance in both the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress categories, and the Academy granted the request; Mantle's own biography describes this as making Oscars history as the first openly non-binary person ever to be approved and considered by the Academy in both categories[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) • [10](https://thotyssey.com/2024/06/20/on-point-with-kelly-mantle/). Reporting on the film described Mantle as gender fluid and using masculine pronouns at the time[9](https://www.ocweekly.com/kelly-mantles-most-transformational-role-7775245/), while the current official biography and IMDb use non-binary identity and she/they forms[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) • [4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf).
**Later screen work.** Mantle plays Sheila, described as a fan-favorite character, in the OUTtv/Amazon series *The Browns* (2020–2021, 8 episodes)[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/). Mantle had a lead role in *God Save the Queens* (2022), which was officially selected for the Tribeca Film Festival and Outfest; the cast includes fellow Drag Race alums Alaska 5000 and [Laganja Estranja](https://www.edgepedia.org/laganja-estranja) along with [Michelle Visage](https://www.edgepedia.org/michelle-visage) and comedian Luenell[4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf). Other credits include *The Bitch Who Stole Christmas* (2021), *Middle Man* (2016), and *Eagleheart*[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/). Mantle has also worked behind the camera, as consulting producer on *God Save the Queens* and associate producer on an episode of *The Browns*, and as a writer on *Drag House Rules* (2025)[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/).
## RuPaul's Drag Race
Mantle competed on season 6 of *RuPaul's Drag Race*, which premiered in 2014, and was the first queen eliminated, in episode 1, finishing 13th/14th[5](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Kelly_Mantle) • [7](https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2014/02/26/last-words-rupauls-drag-races-kelly-mantle). The first episode involved a sewing challenge and a television-inspired runway look meant to evoke *Downton Abbey*, which judge Michelle Visage criticized as resembling bacon; Mantle responded by writing and releasing the song and video "Eliminated" the night of the premiere[7](https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2014/02/26/last-words-rupauls-drag-races-kelly-mantle). In interviews, Mantle said producers had invited them for the show's first two seasons and were turned down because Mantle considered themself an actor rather than a reality television performer; Mantle later submitted an audition tape and was cast[11](https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2014/02/25/rupauls-drag-race-season-6s-first-exclusive-hotspots-interview/).
Unlike most drag performers, Mantle uses their given birth name in drag, a choice Mantle explains by wanting producers and casting directors to be able to look up their acting work[5](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Kelly_Mantle) • [11](https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2014/02/25/rupauls-drag-race-season-6s-first-exclusive-hotspots-interview/). Mantle has said they got into drag through acting, after being cast in female and drag roles[6](https://guttercandydotnet.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/kelly-mantle-interview/).
## Music and live performance
As a singer, songwriter, and musician, Mantle has released three albums, *Ever Changing* (2002), *Rock-N-Glow* (2004), and *Satellite Baby* (2007), and has continued releasing singles, including "Eliminated" (2014) and "Keyboard Courage," an anti-cyberbullying anthem written after fans shared experiences of online harassment[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) • [12](https://renownedforsound.com/interview-kelly-mantle/). Mantle has also performed in drag-related musical groups, including Tranzkuntinental with Willam and Detox, and Rollz Royces with [Tammie Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/tammie-brown)[6](https://guttercandydotnet.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/kelly-mantle-interview/) • [13](https://www.dragofficial.com/archives/season-6-spotlight-kelly-mantle).
In live performance, Mantle toured as Sandy in the sold-out world tour of *Trixie and Katya Live!*, singing "Rose's Turn" from *Gypsy*, completed a sold-out 2024 tour of the solo show *An Evening Without Kelly Mantle*, and is touring a solo cabaret called *Where Are We?*[4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf).
## The Kelly Mantle Show
Since around 2024, Mantle has hosted *The Kelly Mantle Show*, a weekly comedy interview podcast in which celebrity guests are brought into "The Kelly Mantle Studio" for offbeat conversations, with new episodes on Wednesdays[4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf) • [14](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1313-the-kelly-mantle-show-245703600/). The show is co-executive produced by Trixie and Katya[4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf). Guests have included fellow Drag Race alumni such as [Courtney Act](https://www.edgepedia.org/courtney-act), Detox, Tammie Brown, Salina EsTitties, and season 17 winner [Onya Nurve](https://www.edgepedia.org/onya-nurve), as well as *Saturday Night Live* cast member [Sarah Sherman](https://www.edgepedia.org/sarah-sherman)[14](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1313-the-kelly-mantle-show-245703600/). Recurring bits include the show's "Trans-vestigation Unit," and Mantle has appeared as a guest on *The Bald and the Beautiful* with Trixie and Katya[14](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1313-the-kelly-mantle-show-245703600/) • [15](https://podscripts.co/podcasts/the-bald-and-the-beautiful-with-trixie-and-katya/kelly-mantles-trixie-the-cable-girl-nightmare-with-trixie-and-katya).
## Gender identity and public image
Descriptions of Mantle's gender identity have shifted over time in public sources. A 2016 interview described Mantle as gender fluid and using masculine pronouns[9](https://www.ocweekly.com/kelly-mantles-most-transformational-role-7775245/), while Mantle's current official biography and IMDb profile describe Mantle as openly non-binary and use feminine or they-forms[3](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/) • [4](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf). The dual Supporting Actor/Supporting Actress Oscar consideration for *Confessions of a Womanizer* is the fact most often cited in coverage of Mantle's career, and it has been reported in outlets including [BBC News](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-news) and Australian newspapers in December 2016[16](https://rcvmhs.archive.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Ro_Allen_PART_2.pdf).
## References
1. [Kelly Mantle – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/bio/)
2. [Kelly Mantle, The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/100525-kelly-mantle)
3. [Kelly Mantle, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544141/)
4. [Kelly Mantle Bio 2025 (official PDF)](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6228c890a6e61861551be39a/t/67d49bf21c6cf24919b122b2/1741986802113/KELLY%2BMANTLE%2BBIO%2B2025.pdf)
5. [Kelly Mantle, RuPaul's Drag Race Wiki (Fandom)](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Kelly_Mantle)
6. [Kelly Mantle: Interview, Gutter Candy (2014)](https://guttercandydotnet.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/kelly-mantle-interview/)
7. [Last Words With RuPaul's Drag Race's Kelly Mantle, The Advocate (2014)](https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2014/02/26/last-words-rupauls-drag-races-kelly-mantle)
8. [Kelly Mantle List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kelly-mantle/credits/3030077672/)
9. [Kelly Mantle's Most Transformational Role, OC Weekly (2016)](https://www.ocweekly.com/kelly-mantles-most-transformational-role-7775245/)
10. [On Point With: Kelly Mantle – Thotyssey](https://thotyssey.com/2024/06/20/on-point-with-kelly-mantle/)
11. [RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6's first exclusive Hotspots interview, Hotspots Magazine (2014)](https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2014/02/25/rupauls-drag-race-season-6s-first-exclusive-hotspots-interview/)
12. [Interview: Kelly Mantle, Renowned for Sound](https://renownedforsound.com/interview-kelly-mantle/)
13. [Season 6 Spotlight: Kelly Mantle, Drag Official (2013)](https://www.dragofficial.com/archives/season-6-spotlight-kelly-mantle)
14. [The Kelly Mantle Show, iHeart](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1313-the-kelly-mantle-show-245703600/)
15. [Kelly Mantle's Trixie the Cable Girl Nightmare with Trixie and Katya, The Bald and the Beautiful transcript](https://podscripts.co/podcasts/the-bald-and-the-beautiful-with-trixie-and-katya/kelly-mantles-trixie-the-cable-girl-nightmare-with-trixie-and-katya)
16. [Royal Commission archive listing Australian press coverage, December 2016](https://rcvmhs.archive.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Ro_Allen_PART_2.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames M to Ma*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license