Bored Panda
This Is How These 27 Well-Known People Of World History Looked In Real Life Compared To Their Movie Portrayals

This Is How These 27 Well-Known People Of World History Looked In Real Life Compared To Their Movie Portrayals

1
0
You might have hated history lessons at school, but I am sure you have enjoyed at least one historical film in your life, if not more. Of course, a lot here depends on Hollywood (and other film industries) creating a compelling story that attracts your attention — but also, we really love seeing historical figures up close in situations that our textbooks never described.   
A big part of making a film on real-life events and real people is casting. Good acting is important, but the actors also have to resemble the person they are portraying to a certain degree. Because often the audience won’t notice the historical inconsistencies, but they will most likely criticize the looks of actors in movies that tell the story of one well-known person or another. 
Throughout the years of its existence, the film industry has handled quite a number of famous events in history, depicting each of them from the director’s perspective. But it is equally interested in big events in the lives of people of art, science, sports, or public figures. For actors, portraying a real person can be more challenging than a fictional character because you can’t build them solely on your vision, but have to do quite a lot of research. However, it can also be a very rewarding experience.
For this article, we collected some of the best examples of actors playing famous people. In your opinion, who did the best job? Do you have another favorite actor playing a historical figure that didn’t make it to this list? Share with us in the comments! 

This post may include affiliate links.

#1 Morgan Freeman As Nelson Mandela In "Invictus"

Side-by-side comparison of real-life and movie portrayals of a well-known person in world history smiling.
0points

#2 Jamie Foxx As Ray Charles In "Ray"

Comparison of a well-known world history figure and their movie portrayal, both wearing sunglasses and performing at a microphone.
0points

#3 Robert Downey Jr. As Charlie Chaplin In "Chaplin"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known person in history and their movie portrayal highlighting historical accuracy in films.
0points

#4 Stephen Fry As Oscar Wilde In "Wilde"

Side-by-side image showing a well-known historical figure and his movie portrayal highlighting real life versus film depiction.
0points

#5 Eddie Redmayne And Felicity Jones As Stephen Hawking With His Wife Jane Wilde In "The Theory Of Everything"

Side-by-side comparison of well-known people of world history in real life and their movie portrayals at a wedding.
0points

#6 Ben Kingsley As Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi In "Gandhi"

Side-by-side comparison of a movie portrayal and real-life image of a well-known world history figure wearing glasses and a shawl.
0points

#7 Denzel Washington As Malcolm X In "Malcolm X"

Close-up comparison of a historical figure and his movie portrayal, highlighting differences in appearance and expression.
0points

#8 Charlize Theron As Aileen Wuornos In "Monster"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known historical figure and their movie portrayal wearing orange clothing.
0points

#9 Rami Malek As Freddie Mercury In "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Side-by-side photos showing well-known world history figures and their movie portrayals in similar stage costumes.
0points

#10 Daniel Day-Lewis As Abraham Lincoln In "Lincoln"

Side-by-side comparison of well-known historical figure Abraham Lincoln in real life and movie portrayal.
0points

#11 Val Kilmer As Jim Morrison In "The Doors"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known historical figure and his movie portrayal showing real life versus film appearance.
0points

#12 Meryl Streep As Julia Child In "Julie And Julia"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known historical figure in real life and their movie portrayal in a kitchen setting.
0points

#13 Tom Hanks As Mister Rogers In "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood"

Side-by-side comparison of well-known historical figure and actor portraying him in a movie, showcasing real life versus movie portrayal.
0points

#14 Meryl Streep As Margaret Thatcher In "The Iron Lady"

Side-by-side comparison of well-known world history figure and her movie portrayal, highlighting historical accuracy and differences.
0points

#15 Gary Oldman As Ludwig Van Beethoven In "Immortal Beloved"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known historical figure and actor portraying him in movie portrayals with similar clothing and expression.
0points

#16 Salma Hayek As Frida In "Frida"

Side-by-side photo of a woman portraying a well-known historical figure compared to the real person in history.
0points

#17 Joaquin Phoenix As Johnny Cash In "Walk The Line"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known historical figure and his movie portrayal, showcasing real-life vs film look.
0points

#18 Cate Blanchett As Queen Elizabeth I In "Elizabeth"

Actress portraying a historic figure in an elaborate costume beside an old painting showing her real-life appearance.
0points

#19 André 3000 As Jimi Hendrix In "Jimi: All Is By My Side"

Side-by-side comparison of a well-known historical musician in real life and movie portrayals with detailed costumes and guitars.
0points

#20 Helen Mirren As Queen Elizabeth II In "The Queen"

Side-by-side comparison of a historical figure and her movie portrayal showing real life versus film representation.
0points

Add New Image

Not your original work?

1
0