Began performing a drag act in local gay bars; appeared under the stage name Virginia Hamm

Made his stage acting debut at La MaMa E.T.C. in Andy Warhol's only play, "Pork's"

First play produced at La MaMa E.T.C., "The International Stud"; later incorporated into "Torch Song Trilogy"

Made first film appearance, as himself, in Rosa von Praunheim's documentary, "Underground and Emigrants"

Broadway acting debut, "Torch Song Trilogy" (also wrote play)

Supplied the voice of the Devil for the TV-movie, "The Demon Murder Case"

Wrote first book for a Broadway musical "La Cage aux Folles"

Narrated the Oscar-winning feature documentary, "The Times of Harvey Milk"

Made feature acting debut in "Garbo Talks"

Played first leading role in a film in the adaptation of his stage play "Torch Song Trilogy"; film also marked his producing debut

Adapted one of the short-plays ("On Tidy Endings") from his stage play "Safe Sex" for the HBO TV-movie, "Tidy Endings"; also played one of the leading roles

Wrote book for the Broadway musical "Legs Diamond" starring Peter Allen

Featured as the voice of Karl, Homer's assistant, in the Simpson and Delilah episode of "The Simpsons" (Fox)

Earned an Emmy nomination for his guest role on "Cheers" (NBC)

Played Robin Williams' maskmaker brother in "Mrs. Doubtfire"

Co-starred in Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway"

Had featured role in blockbuster hit "Independence Day"

Voiced the role of Yao in Walt Disney's "Mulan"

Voiced Elmer in the HBO special based on his children's book "The Sissy Duckling"

Undertook the role created by Divine in the workshop of the musical version of "Hairspray"; starred in the show when it opened on Broadway in 2002

Wrote the "Andy & Amos" segment of Showtime's "Common Ground", a drama special examining gay and lesbian life

Had supporting role as the corrupt head of a charitable organization in "Death to Smoochy"

Cast as Tevye the milkman opposite Rosie O'Donnell, in the Broadway revival of the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof"