40 Celebrity Doppelgängers From History That Will Make You Do A Double Take

When looking at these two photos, it almost doesn’t seem wild to think that Charles Darwin not only cracked the code on evolutionary biology but on reincarnation, too. While this might seem a bit far-fetched, we have to admit that, at the very least, stand-up comedian George Carlin has to be one of Darwin’s most convincing doppelgängers.

At this point, we wouldn’t blink twice at the idea that John Krasinski is a time traveler. Or maybe he really did track down that famed fountain of youth in the 19th century and has been drinking from it ever since. Either way, it’s pretty unbelievable how uncanny the resemblance between him and Carl Adolf Feilberg, the soap and candle-maker from 1835, truly is.

The jokes about Keanu Reeves being immortal have been a running theme on the internet for what feels like an eternity. We figured that his time as John Wick is probably what sparked the topic, until we discovered the true source: this photo of his 19th-century doppelgänger, actor Paul Mounet.

Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody and 17th-century philosopher John Locke share such a striking resemblance that you probably wouldn’t bat an eye if we told you they were related. Looking like a younger version of Locke, Brody mirrors the father of liberalism’s high cheekbones, prominent nose, and deep-set eyes.

19th-century essayist Charles Lamb may have spent most of his life writing, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t pass for an athlete. This viral side-by-side comparison with Olympic gold-medalist Michael Phelps makes that pretty clear. Their pairing has caused quite the stir online, with fans and social media users alike playfully pointing out just how similar their facial features are.

Given how Matt Damon always delivers stellar performances in military roles, it’s hardly surprising that fans eventually tracked down his army doppelganger Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub. When looking at their photos side by side, we can’t help but feel cheated out of seeing Damon play Kozhedub in a thrilling biopic.

It’s a funny coincidence that more than a decade after Eminem featured on a song called Roman’s Revenge, we’ve now stumbled upon his ancient Roman twin, Severus Alexander. Despite only having sculptures of the Emperor’s face, it’s relatively easy to spot the similarities in their facial structures, prominent noses, and intense expressions.

If it weren’t for the infamous LV luggage scene in The Hangover Part II, it might have taken ages to make the connection between Zach Galifianakis and Louis Vitton. The pair’s signature moustaches and similar disheveled look have caused quite the frenzy on social media, with fans joking that Galifianakis must hold the secrets to time travel.

The resemblance between actor Charlie Sheen and 19th-century abolitionist John Brown is the kind that jumps out at you right away. From their almost identical brow lines to their freakishly similar smiles, it’s really no surprise they look like identical twins the longer we stare at their photos side-by-side.

When it comes to viral celebrity lookalike pairings, comedian Bill Murray and writer Edgar Allan Poe can give all the other matches a run for their money. It’s hard to explain and quite freaky that the longer and harder you stare at these photos of the two famous men, the more their faces start to morph into one.

It’s action hero meets military commander with this comparison of Bruce Willis and General Douglas MacArthur. When seeing their photos side by side, it’s nearly impossible to miss their apparent likeness. Strangely enough, it isn’t just their physical features that are similar, but also their overall tough-guy aesthetic.

Very few people share a strong resemblance to William Shakespeare quite like actor Paul Giamatti when he’s sporting a beard. It's probably no surprise that the internet is filled with jokes about Giamatti being Shakespeare’s modern-day twin, but interestingly enough, he isn’t the only one. Hilariously, politician Smári McCarthy, who also looks like the famous playwright, once joked that he wondered which one of them would be selected to play Shakespeare in a biopic.

You might not notice it immediately, but Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence and Egyptian cinema legend Zubaida Tharwat share quite a striking resemblance. With their matching cheekbones, jawlines, and expressive eyes, Lawrence and Tharwat prove that some faces simply never go out of style, even across many generations.

Isn’t it interesting how Vincent Cassel and Fred Astaire not only share the same profession but basically have the same face, too? There’s no denying that their defined chins, gentle smiles, and overall likeness make them look surprisingly alike, which is why they’ve earned a spot on our list.

We must admit that the resemblance between comedian Conan O'Brien and former government official Marshall Twitchell isn’t all that visible in these pictures at first glance. However, after seeing photos of Twitchell in his younger years, there’s no doubt in our minds that the two could pass as identical twins.

If we could choose a historical figure to look like, one of the smartest physicists to have ever lived would certainly top our list. As luck would have it, actor Shia LaBeouf has had the opportunity to live out our dreams since eagle-eyed fans have crowned him as Albert Eistein’s 21st-century doppelgänger.

Amazingly, even with only old paintings and sketches of Joan of Arc to go on, many fans quickly picked up on how much singer Florence Welch resembles her. The comparison grew even stronger after Welch’s 2012 Vogue Magazine photoshoot, where she was styled just like the powerful 14th-century saint.

Very few Hollywood stars give off timeless charm quite like George Clooney, and we aren’t surprised since he bears a striking resemblance to the “King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable. As you’d expect, fans frequently point out Clooney as the perfect person to play Gable in a biopic because of their similar chiseled features and classic Hollywood leading-man looks.

It’s almost unbelievable how Sofia Vergara and Sophia Loren not only share a name but also a remarkable resemblance. With the media and fans frequently commenting on their similar features and show-stopping looks, Vergara eventually recreated Loren’s famous photo with Jayne Mansfield, playfully acknowledging the comparison.

More often than not, spotting similarities between modern-day celebrities and historical figures from centuries ago can be quite challenging since photos didn’t exist back then. However, on rare occasions, the resemblance is so remarkable that it shines through even some of the oldest portraits. This is the case with 18th-century President George Washington and actor Michael Douglas, whose likeness is so uncanny it had us doing a double-take.