You probably know him as the quirky, rock-loving lab tech who eventually traded his test tubes for a badge. Eric Szmanda spent fifteen years playing Greg Sanders on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, carving out a niche as the show’s resident heartthrob with a geeky edge. But if you’ve been hanging around certain corners of the internet lately, you might’ve seen a weirdly specific rumor popping up: the Eric Szmanda drag queen connection.
It’s one of those things that sounds like it could be a lost plotline or a secret career pivot.
The truth is actually a lot more interesting than a simple "yes" or "no." While Szmanda isn't a professional drag performer, the intersection of his career with the world of drag, burlesque, and alternative performance art is deep. He’s always been the "cool" one on the CSI set—the guy who actually knew the bands on his character’s posters.
The Dita Von Teese Connection
If there’s one reason people keep searching for Eric Szmanda drag queen content, it’s probably his long-standing friendship with the queen of burlesque herself, Dita Von Teese. These two have been tight for years. Back in 2011, Von Teese actually guest-starred on CSI in an episode titled "A Kiss Before Frying."
She played a classic femme fatale named Rita von Squeeze.
The chemistry was real because, well, they’re actual friends. Szmanda has been a fixture in the Los Angeles alternative scene for decades. He doesn't just play a guy who likes weird music; he’s someone who grew up as a fan of Marilyn Manson and spent his downtime in the early 2000s hanging out in the types of clubs where drag and burlesque were the main events.
Why the rumors started
People love a good "hidden history" story. When you see an actor who is comfortable with fluid gender expression or who champions the LGBTQ+ community, the internet’s internal SEO engine starts churning.
- He has a flair for the dramatic.
- His character, Greg Sanders, was known for "flamboyant" shirts and a certain "va-va-voom" energy.
- He’s been photographed at countless high-profile drag and burlesque events.
Honestly, it’s mostly just a case of "guilt by association" in the best way possible. Szmanda is an ally who has never been afraid to embrace the theatricality of the drag world. In 2023, he returned to the franchise in CSI: Vegas, and fans were reminded of just how much charisma he brings to the screen. Even in his late 40s, he’s kept that same playful energy that made people wonder about his extracurricular performances in the first place.
The "Vampire Shift" and Character Quirks
One of the funniest things about Szmanda’s recent return to the CSI universe was a specific choice he made for his character. When he showed up for his first scene back, he wore actual vampire fangs. He told the writers it was because his character was working the "vampire shift."
That’s the kind of guy he is.
He loves a costume. He loves a bit. If you’re looking for a photo of Eric Szmanda in full 7-inch heels and a wig, you’re probably going to be disappointed—at least in terms of professional credits. But he’s the guy who would absolutely be front row at a RuPaul’s Drag Race taping, cheering the loudest.
Performance and Identity
Szmanda’s career has always been about subverting the "boring scientist" trope. When CSI started, Greg Sanders was the comic relief. He had the crazy hair. He had the attitude.
The show eventually matured him into a serious investigator, but Szmanda never let the character become "stale." He kept that edge. It’s that same edge that draws him to the drag community—a community built on performance, subversion, and staying true to a persona.
While he hasn't officially walked a runway as a queen, he did executive produce a documentary called P.S. Burn This Letter Please. This film is a huge deal in the community. It’s about a box of letters found in 2014 that detailed the lives of drag queens in 1950s New York City.
That right there is the real "Eric Szmanda drag queen" connection. He isn't just a fan; he’s a historian of the craft.
What the internet gets wrong
A lot of the confusion stems from clickbait. You’ve seen the headlines. "You Won't Believe What Greg from CSI Looks Like Now!" usually followed by a photo of someone who isn't Eric Szmanda.
- Fact: He is a dedicated actor and producer.
- Fact: He is a massive supporter of drag and queer history.
- Fact: He hasn't appeared as a drag queen in a professional TV or film capacity.
Basically, he’s a guy with great taste who happens to be friends with the most famous performers in the world. He’s also worked with Marilyn Manson, appearing in the music video for "(s)AINT" in 2003, which was directed by Asia Argento. That video was so controversial it was practically banned everywhere. Szmanda has always been drawn to the "fringe" of Hollywood, which is why the drag rumors stick—he fits the vibe.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re a fan of Szmanda and want to see the side of him that loves the "theatrical and the queer," here’s where you should actually look:
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- Watch P.S. Burn This Letter Please. It’s a beautiful, heart-wrenching look at drag history that Szmanda helped bring to life as an executive producer. It shows where his heart actually lies.
- Check out his guest arc in CSI: Vegas (Season 2). It’s a masterclass in how to bring a character back after a decade without losing the "spark" that made him special.
- Follow his advocacy work. He’s been involved with humanitarian efforts in Thailand and Burma, showing that his interests go way beyond the Hollywood bubble.
Ultimately, the search for "Eric Szmanda drag queen" usually leads people to a better understanding of an actor who is way deeper than his procedural TV roots. He’s a guy who values history, performance, and the courage to be different. Whether he’s wearing a lab coat or producing a doc about 1950s queens, he’s staying true to the alternative spirit that made us love Greg Sanders in the first place.
If you want to dive deeper into his filmography, start with his early work in The Net or the indie film Little Athens. You'll see the seeds of that "cool guy" persona that eventually made him a Sin City icon.