31 Photos Of Real People Who Inspired TV Shows And Movies Vs. The Actors Who Played Them
Cameron Britton’s portrayal of Ed Kemper in Mindhunter was the perfect casting choice!
Actors can breathe life into real-life characters, transforming their stories into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
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Embodying a real person isn’t just about copying how they look or act; it’s about connecting with their experiences and struggles on a deep emotional level.
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Here are some incredible actors who I believe did an amazing job portraying real-life individuals:
Warner Bros. Pictures, Al Bello / Getty Images
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4. Denzel Washington as Malcolm X in Malcolm X (1992)
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5. Annette Bening as Diana Nyad in Nyad (2023).
Netflix, Ernesto Mastrascusa / LatinContent via Getty Images
6. Andra Day as Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021).
Hulu, Bill Spilka / Getty Images
7. Jessica Chastain as Amy Loughren in The Good Nurse (2022).
Netflix, Cindy Ord / Getty Images for SCAD
8. Elle Fanning as Michelle Carter in The Girl from Plainville (2022).
Hulu, Medianews Group / MediaNews Group via Getty Images
9. Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout (2022).
Hulu, Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images
10. Austin Butler as Elvis in Elvis (2022).
Warner Bros. Pictures, Fotos International / Getty Images
11. Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde (2022).
Netflix, Michael Ochs Archives / Via Getty Images
12. Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019).
Netflix, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Via Getty Images
13. Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022).
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14. Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya (2017).
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15. David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma (2014).
Paramount Pictures, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Via Getty Images
16. Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell (2019).
Lionsgate Films, Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
17. Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar in Narcos (2015).
Netflix, Eric Vandeville / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
18. Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016).
FX / Via amazon.com, Ted Soqui / Sygma via Getty Images
19. Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in Spencer (2021).
Cinemundo, Princess Diana Archive / Getty Images
20. Meryl Streep as Julia Child in Julie & Julia (2009)
Sony Pictures Releasing, Bachrach / Getty Images
21. Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson in Hidden Figures (2016)
20th Century Studios, Donaldson Collection / Getty Images
22. Daniel Day-Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln (2012).
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Getty Images
23. Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Paramount Pictures, Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
24. Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper Mindhunter (2017).
Netflix, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Via Getty Images
25. Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich (2000).
Getty Images, Ann Summa / Getty Images
26. Jesse Garcia as Richard Montañez in Flamin’ Hot (2023).
Disney+ / Hulu, Gary Miller / WireImage
27. Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley in Priscilla (2023).
A24 / Stage 6 Films / Via max.com, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Via Getty Images
28. Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari in Ferrari (2023).
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29. Mark Ruffalo as Rob Bilott in Dark Waters (2019).
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30. Tom Hanks as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks (2013).
Walt Disney Pictures / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via amazon.com, Screen Archives / Getty Images
31. Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Focus Features, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive / Via Getty Images
