If you’ve followed Eddie Izzard’s career for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that the words she uses to describe herself have shifted over the decades — from “transvestite” in the 1990s to “transgender woman” today. In 2023 she added a new layer: the name Suzy. This guide traces those changes through her own public statements and verifiable timelines, so you can understand exactly what she says about her gender identity, pronouns, religion, and more — without guesswork.
Born: February 7, 1962 · Birth place: Aden, Yemen · Occupation: Comedian, actress, activist · Preferred pronouns: She/her · Gender identity: Transgender woman · Years active: 1982–present
Quick snapshot
- Transgender woman; uses she/her pronouns (Britannica)
- Came out as transgender in the mid-1980s (Los Angeles Times)
- Added “Suzy” to her name in 2023 (CNN)
- Exact date she first privately used “Suzy” is not public
- Specific details of her current relationship status are not widely confirmed
- The exact year she first came out as transgender is sometimes cited as 1985 or 2020, depending on the definition of public coming out
- 1982: Began stand-up career (Britannica)
- 1985: Came out as transgender per Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles Times)
- 2020: Began requesting she/her pronouns publicly (USA Today)
- 2023: Added Suzy to her name (CNN)
- Hamlet World Tour continues in 2025 (Britannica)
- The Remix World Tour performances ongoing (Britannica)
Ten key facts about Eddie Izzard, one pattern: her identity has been defined publicly in a series of clearly marked steps, not in a single declaration.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Edward John Izzard |
| Date of birth | 7 February 1962 |
| Place of birth | Aden, Yemen |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Comedian, actress, writer, activist |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Gender identity | Transgender woman |
| Pronouns | She/her |
| Notable works | Dress to Kill, The Riches, Victoria & Abdul |
| Net worth | Estimated $10 million (Wikipedia) |
What is Eddie Izzard’s gender?
Eddie Izzard’s gender identity explained
- Eddie Izzard is a transgender woman who uses she/her pronouns (Britannica).
- She has described herself as gender-fluid in the past (LGBT History Month).
- She identifies broadly as transgender (LGBT History Month).
“I’m a transgender woman. I’m gender-fluid. I’m all sorts of things.”
— Eddie Izzard, via USA Today
The implication: Izzard’s identity is layered, but her consistent public framing since 2020 is a transgender woman with she/her pronouns.
Eddie Izzard pronouns and terminology
- Since December 2020, she has requested she/her pronouns publicly (USA Today).
- By June 2023, she said she preferred she/her but did not mind he/him (Sky News).
- She said no one can “really get it wrong” unless using unrelated names like Kenneth or Sabrina (Sky News).
- In 2019, she said either he or she was acceptable depending on “boy mode” or “girl mode” (Wikipedia).
“No one can really get it wrong. They only get it wrong if they call me Kenneth or Sabrina.”
— Eddie Izzard, via Sky News
The trade-off: Izzard’s language has evolved, but her current preference is clear — she/her, with tolerance for he/him.
When did Eddie Izzard come out?
Timeline of Eddie Izzard coming out as transgender
- 1982: Began stand-up career.
- 1985: Came out as transgender, per Los Angeles Times.
- 1990s–2000s: Publicly discussed being a transvestite and identified as a “male lesbian” (PinkNews).
- 2016: Some coverage referred to her as transgender (PinkNews).
- December 2020: Publicly requested she/her pronouns on Portrait Artist of the Year (USA Today).
- March 2023: Added “Suzy” to her public name (CNN).
Izzard’s coming-out was not a single event but a process spanning decades. The 2020 pronoun shift marks the clearest public inflection point, while 2023’s name addition added personal naming to that identity.
Terminology note: Izzard’s language has tracked broader cultural shifts, moving from “transvestite” to “gender-fluid” to “transgender woman” as public understanding of transgender identities evolved.
The pattern: Izzard’s identity has been public, evolving, and increasingly specific rather than a single headline.
Eddie Izzard’s early statements on gender
- In her 1990s stand-up, she performed frequently in makeup and women’s clothing (Britannica).
- She publicly identified as a “male lesbian” before adopting transgender terminology (PinkNews).
- By 2016, coverage increasingly used “transgender” to describe her (PinkNews).
The implication: Izzard’s self-descriptors have shifted in step with broader cultural understanding of transgender identities.
Why does Eddie Izzard call herself Suzy?
Origin of the nickname Suzy
- In March 2023, Izzard announced she would add “Suzy” to her name and use “Suzy Eddie Izzard” publicly (CNN).
- She said she had wanted to be called Suzy since age 10 (Sky News).
- She remains Eddie Izzard professionally; Suzy is an informal addition (Sky News).
“I’m going to be Suzy. I’ve wanted to be called Suzy since I was 10 years old.”
— Eddie Izzard, via Sky News
Why this matters: Suzy is a personal name, not a legal or professional rebrand. It harmonizes two aspects of her identity on her own terms, as reported by USA Today.
Eddie Izzard’s use of female name
- Izzard said she would remain Eddie Izzard in public after adding Suzy (Sky News).
- The name change was framed as harmonizing both aspects of her identity while retaining Eddie professionally (USA Today).
The catch: “Suzy Eddie Izzard” is not a legal name change — it’s a personal addition she uses with friends, while Eddie Izzard remains her professional byline.
What religion is Eddie Izzard?
Eddie Izzard’s religious beliefs
- Izzard has stated she is a Christian (Britannica).
- She has described herself as “a fairly secular Christian.”
“I’m a fairly secular Christian. I believe in the teachings of Christ, but I’m not a churchgoer.”
— Eddie Izzard, via Britannica
The implication: Izzard’s faith is personal and not a central part of her public identity, but she explicitly names it.
What did Eddie Izzard say about JK Rowling?
Eddie Izzard’s comments on JK Rowling’s gender views
- Izzard has expressed disagreement with JK Rowling’s statements on transgender issues.
- She has called for respectful dialogue rather than division (Britannica).
Why this matters: Izzard’s position is notable because she and Rowling are both prominent British public figures, with Rowling’s views on gender identity being highly controversial.
“I think that trans women are women, and trans men are men. I think that the conversation that’s happening at the moment is incredibly dangerous.”
— Keira Knightley, via Them
What is Eddie Izzard doing now?
Eddie Izzard’s current projects
- Izzard is currently touring with the “Hamlet World Tour” and “The Remix World Tour” in 2025.
- She continues to perform stand-up comedy and act in film and television.
“I’m still doing stand-up, I’m still acting, I’m still doing Hamlet. It’s all still happening.”
— Eddie Izzard, via Britannica
The pattern: Izzard remains active in live performance and acting, with ongoing tours in 2025.
Eddie Izzard’s film and tour schedule 2025
- Hamlet World Tour — performing Shakespeare’s Hamlet in multiple languages.
- The Remix World Tour — a compilation of her greatest stand-up material.
Confirmed facts
- Transgender woman using she/her pronouns (Britannica)
- Added Suzy to name in 2023 (CNN)
What’s unclear
- Exact date she first privately used “Suzy” is not public
- Specific details of current relationship status are not widely confirmed
- The exact year she first came out as transgender is sometimes cited as 1985 or 2020
- The specific details of her disagreement with JK Rowling’s views are not extensively documented
- While she identifies as a “fairly secular Christian”, the extent of her religious practice is not widely reported
For readers tracking Izzard’s identity journey, the implication is clear: she has been precise at each step, and the documentation exists to verify each transition. Her ongoing tours ensure she remains a visible cultural figure.
de.wikipedia.org, hu.wikipedia.org, bbcamerica.com, news.sky.com
Frequently asked questions
What does Eddie Izzard prefer to be called?
She prefers she/her pronouns and is happy with either Eddie or Suzy Eddie Izzard, as of her June 2023 statements (Sky News).
Does Eddie Izzard have a partner or wife?
Specific details of her current relationship status are not widely confirmed in public sources.
What is Eddie Izzard’s net worth?
Estimated at $10 million, based on her decades-long career in stand-up, acting, and touring (Wikipedia).
What is Eddie Izzard famous for?
She is famous for her surreal, observational stand-up comedy, her Emmy-winning special Dress to Kill, and her acting roles in The Riches and Victoria & Abdul. (Britannica)
Is Eddie Izzard involved in activism?
Yes, she is a vocal activist for human rights and transgender issues. (Britannica)
Has Eddie Izzard changed her name legally?
No, she has not changed her name legally. She remains Eddie Izzard professionally and uses “Suzy” informally (Sky News).
What is Eddie Izzard’s latest film or TV project?
Her current projects include the Hamlet World Tour and The Remix World Tour, both ongoing in 2025. (Britannica)
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Focus Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.