Yes, you can transfer animation data from one rig to another by exporting using animExport (Export options box) and then importing the animData. However, you have to be very careful about it. The rig hierarchies on both characters must be identical in structure. Also, you have to select joints in the exact same order (you can get around this by creating a selection set for each character). It's not quite as simple as this, but that's the basic idea.