for some actors looking the part comes naturally welcome to watchmojo.com and
naturally welcome to watchmojo.com and
naturally welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for
today we’re counting down our picks for
today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten biopic actors who resemble
the top ten biopic actors who resemble
the top ten biopic actors who resemble their real-life counterparts past from
their real-life counterparts past from
their real-life counterparts past from the scene
the scene
the scene there will still be black people before
there will still be black people before
there will still be black people before we begin we publish new videos every day
we begin we publish new videos every day
we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe for more great
so be sure to subscribe for more great
so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re counting
content for this list we’re counting
content for this list we’re counting down actors who took on roles in
down actors who took on roles in
down actors who took on roles in biographical films and happen to be dead
biographical films and happen to be dead
biographical films and happen to be dead ringers for the people they played
ringers for the people they played
ringers for the people they played however we’re excluding cases where they
however we’re excluding cases where they
however we’re excluding cases where they cheat with makeup or prosthetics so you
cheat with makeup or prosthetics so you
cheat with makeup or prosthetics so you won’t be seeing people like Charlize
won’t be seeing people like Charlize
won’t be seeing people like Charlize Theron in monster on this list no see I
Theron in monster on this list no see I
Theron in monster on this list no see I was some I’m sorry but when I read the
was some I’m sorry but when I read the
was some I’m sorry but when I read the ad it said that you were looking for a
ad it said that you were looking for a
ad it said that you were looking for a secretary number 10
secretary number 10
secretary number 10 Eddie Redmayne is Stephen Hawking the
Eddie Redmayne is Stephen Hawking the
Eddie Redmayne is Stephen Hawking the theory of everything for this film
theory of everything for this film
theory of everything for this film Redmayne accepted the challenge of
Redmayne accepted the challenge of
Redmayne accepted the challenge of playing the theoretical physicist with a
playing the theoretical physicist with a
playing the theoretical physicist with a debilitating case of ALS despite being
debilitating case of ALS despite being
debilitating case of ALS despite being offered the role without an audition he
offered the role without an audition he
offered the role without an audition he prepared for months by binging on
prepared for months by binging on
prepared for months by binging on documentaries and video clips of Stephen
documentaries and video clips of Stephen
documentaries and video clips of Stephen Hawking but Ren mains hard work and
Hawking but Ren mains hard work and
Hawking but Ren mains hard work and dedication to perfecting Hawking’s
dedication to perfecting Hawking’s
dedication to perfecting Hawking’s speech inflections and mannerisms only
speech inflections and mannerisms only
speech inflections and mannerisms only supplemented the physical similarities I
supplemented the physical similarities I
supplemented the physical similarities I have to admit sorry after seeing the
have to admit sorry after seeing the
have to admit sorry after seeing the film Hawking reportedly emailed the
film Hawking reportedly emailed the
film Hawking reportedly emailed the director to praise the portrayal saying
director to praise the portrayal saying
director to praise the portrayal saying that there were certain points where he
that there were certain points where he
that there were certain points where he thought he was watching himself
thought he was watching himself
thought he was watching himself it’s no wonder Redmayne earned the Best
it’s no wonder Redmayne earned the Best
it’s no wonder Redmayne earned the Best Actor Academy Award that year does that
Actor Academy Award that year does that
Actor Academy Award that year does that mean that there was a universe out there
mean that there was a universe out there
mean that there was a universe out there where I am smarter than you number 9
where I am smarter than you number 9
where I am smarter than you number 9 Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo Frida tell me
Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo Frida tell me
Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo Frida tell me your plans lead actress Salma Hayek and
your plans lead actress Salma Hayek and
your plans lead actress Salma Hayek and Pedro Frida Kahlo are both Mexican
Pedro Frida Kahlo are both Mexican
Pedro Frida Kahlo are both Mexican artists but the similarities don’t end
artists but the similarities don’t end
artists but the similarities don’t end there
there
there just as Frida’s passion bursts out of
just as Frida’s passion bursts out of
just as Frida’s passion bursts out of the self-portraits she painted Samas
the self-portraits she painted Samas
the self-portraits she painted Samas charisma surges from the screen right
charisma surges from the screen right
charisma surges from the screen right now I’m a burden but I hope to be a
now I’m a burden but I hope to be a
now I’m a burden but I hope to be a self-sufficient cripple one day both
self-sufficient cripple one day both
self-sufficient cripple one day both personalities were professionals and pop
personalities were professionals and pop
personalities were professionals and pop culture icons so Hayek was an excellent
culture icons so Hayek was an excellent
culture icons so Hayek was an excellent fit for the role she was actually so
fit for the role she was actually so
fit for the role she was actually so inspired by the surrealist
inspired by the surrealist
inspired by the surrealist dangerous legacy that she made every
dangerous legacy that she made every
dangerous legacy that she made every effort to land the part she tracked down
effort to land the part she tracked down
effort to land the part she tracked down one of the exes of Kalos late husband
one of the exes of Kalos late husband
one of the exes of Kalos late husband for direct access to her paintings and
for direct access to her paintings and
for direct access to her paintings and even assembled a supporting cast of her
even assembled a supporting cast of her
even assembled a supporting cast of her own in this case Salma Hayek’s a Frida
own in this case Salma Hayek’s a Frida
own in this case Salma Hayek’s a Frida in herself and now that we’ve seen the
in herself and now that we’ve seen the
in herself and now that we’ve seen the final result we have to agree but doing
final result we have to agree but doing
final result we have to agree but doing very well on your own I’m proud of you
very well on your own I’m proud of you
very well on your own I’m proud of you you don’t need enough if you want to go
you don’t need enough if you want to go
you don’t need enough if you want to go just go number eight
just go number eight
just go number eight Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious Sid and Nancy
can you tell which is the star and which
can you tell which is the star and which is the musician back in the 80s
is the musician back in the 80s
is the musician back in the 80s Oldman bought such an uncanny
Oldman bought such an uncanny
Oldman bought such an uncanny resemblance to the punk rock heroine
resemblance to the punk rock heroine
resemblance to the punk rock heroine abusing Sex Pistols Sid Vicious that
abusing Sex Pistols Sid Vicious that
abusing Sex Pistols Sid Vicious that they were practically indistinguishable
they were practically indistinguishable
they were practically indistinguishable however despite the physical likeness
however despite the physical likeness
however despite the physical likeness Oldman had no interest in the musician
Oldman had no interest in the musician
Oldman had no interest in the musician or his genre and according to the DVD
or his genre and according to the DVD
or his genre and according to the DVD commentary had to be pressured by his
commentary had to be pressured by his
commentary had to be pressured by his agent to take the role do you really
agent to take the role do you really
agent to take the role do you really think you can buy yeah but once he
think you can buy yeah but once he
think you can buy yeah but once he accepted it Oldman went all-in starting
accepted it Oldman went all-in starting
accepted it Oldman went all-in starting a crash diet so he could even more
a crash diet so he could even more
a crash diet so he could even more closely resemble the practically
closely resemble the practically
closely resemble the practically emaciated musician while that ultimately
emaciated musician while that ultimately
emaciated musician while that ultimately led to his hospitalization the
led to his hospitalization the
led to his hospitalization the performance Oldman delivered was eerily
performance Oldman delivered was eerily
performance Oldman delivered was eerily spot-on
spot-on
spot-on [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number seven Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison
number seven Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison
number seven Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison the doors
the doors
the doors nothing will destroy her suitors right
nothing will destroy her suitors right
nothing will destroy her suitors right is named director Oliver Stone
is named director Oliver Stone
is named director Oliver Stone considered Val Kilmer for the biopic
considered Val Kilmer for the biopic
considered Val Kilmer for the biopic about the doors frontman after seeing
about the doors frontman after seeing
about the doors frontman after seeing his striking physical likeness to Jim in
his striking physical likeness to Jim in
his striking physical likeness to Jim in the 1988 film willow more those troops
the 1988 film willow more those troops
the 1988 film willow more those troops are crushing everything inside come on
are crushing everything inside come on
are crushing everything inside come on let me hear a sword
let me hear a sword
let me hear a sword I win this war for you and Kilmer was so
I win this war for you and Kilmer was so
I win this war for you and Kilmer was so enthused about the opportunity that he
enthused about the opportunity that he
enthused about the opportunity that he made his own Jim Morrison impersonation
made his own Jim Morrison impersonation
made his own Jim Morrison impersonation real to cement the directors decision
real to cement the directors decision
real to cement the directors decision once booked
once booked
once booked he lost all the way necessary and
he lost all the way necessary and
he lost all the way necessary and learned fifty of the Bands songs
it’s called
it’s called [Music]
[Music]
[Music] what’s more Kilmer reportedly went full
what’s more Kilmer reportedly went full
what’s more Kilmer reportedly went full method for this one he dressed behaved
method for this one he dressed behaved
method for this one he dressed behaved and lived like Jim Morrison for a full
and lived like Jim Morrison for a full
and lived like Jim Morrison for a full year before filming perhaps even more
year before filming perhaps even more
year before filming perhaps even more impressive is the fact that members of
impressive is the fact that members of
impressive is the fact that members of the doors themselves were unable to
the doors themselves were unable to
the doors themselves were unable to distinguish between the two singing
distinguish between the two singing
distinguish between the two singing voices Jim Morris aghanim rocks number
voices Jim Morris aghanim rocks number
voices Jim Morris aghanim rocks number six Robert Downey jr. as Charlie Chaplin
six Robert Downey jr. as Charlie Chaplin
six Robert Downey jr. as Charlie Chaplin Chaplin although Charles Chaplin’s
Chaplin although Charles Chaplin’s
Chaplin although Charles Chaplin’s career spanned over 75 years and quite a
career spanned over 75 years and quite a
career spanned over 75 years and quite a bit of Hollywood film history
bit of Hollywood film history
bit of Hollywood film history the average moviegoer knows him best for
the average moviegoer knows him best for
the average moviegoer knows him best for his time as a silent film star and
his time as a silent film star and
his time as a silent film star and although Robert Downey jr. did an
although Robert Downey jr. did an
although Robert Downey jr. did an admirable job speaking and acting as
admirable job speaking and acting as
admirable job speaking and acting as Chaplin the man it’s the nonverbal
Chaplin the man it’s the nonverbal
Chaplin the man it’s the nonverbal language that stands out the most
language that stands out the most
language that stands out the most everything from Charlie’s posture to his
everything from Charlie’s posture to his
everything from Charlie’s posture to his silhouette was duplicated for
silhouette was duplicated for
silhouette was duplicated for authenticity sake since Chaplin was such
authenticity sake since Chaplin was such
authenticity sake since Chaplin was such a physical actor in addition to
a physical actor in addition to
a physical actor in addition to mimicking his affectations the dedicated
mimicking his affectations the dedicated
mimicking his affectations the dedicated Downey also learned tennis and took
Downey also learned tennis and took
Downey also learned tennis and took violin lessons for some scenes and since
violin lessons for some scenes and since
violin lessons for some scenes and since Downey looked a part as well the final
Downey looked a part as well the final
Downey looked a part as well the final result was practically perfect
result was practically perfect
result was practically perfect [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number five Denzel Washington as Malcolm
number five Denzel Washington as Malcolm
number five Denzel Washington as Malcolm X Malcolm X we must work together we
X Malcolm X we must work together we
X Malcolm X we must work together we must find a common solution to a common
must find a common solution to a common
must find a common solution to a common problem a pair of glasses and a haircut
problem a pair of glasses and a haircut
problem a pair of glasses and a haircut were all that was required for Denzel
were all that was required for Denzel
were all that was required for Denzel Washington to physically transform into
Washington to physically transform into
Washington to physically transform into one of the most influential human rights
one of the most influential human rights
one of the most influential human rights activists and political figures of the
activists and political figures of the
activists and political figures of the Civil Rights era we feel that the
Civil Rights era we feel that the
Civil Rights era we feel that the problem number one of the black man in
problem number one of the black man in
problem number one of the black man in America is beyond America’s ability to
America is beyond America’s ability to
America is beyond America’s ability to solve it’s a human problem not an
solve it’s a human problem not an
solve it’s a human problem not an American problem or a Negro problem but
American problem or a Negro problem but
American problem or a Negro problem but there’s more to Malcolm X than that
there’s more to Malcolm X than that
there’s more to Malcolm X than that there’s attitude charm and to determine
there’s attitude charm and to determine
there’s attitude charm and to determine manner of speaking as well and
manner of speaking as well and
manner of speaking as well and Washington nailed every aspect or you
Washington nailed every aspect or you
Washington nailed every aspect or you should never join any organization
should never join any organization
should never join any organization unless you know exactly what it’s about
unless you know exactly what it’s about
unless you know exactly what it’s about it’s an iconic and controversial role
it’s an iconic and controversial role
it’s an iconic and controversial role but with Spike Lee in the director’s
but with Spike Lee in the director’s
but with Spike Lee in the director’s chair and Denzel cipher nuance the
chair and Denzel cipher nuance the
chair and Denzel cipher nuance the charismatic actor was not only able to
charismatic actor was not only able to
charismatic actor was not only able to give an oscar-nominated performance but
give an oscar-nominated performance but
give an oscar-nominated performance but also to convince non-believers that
also to convince non-believers that
also to convince non-believers that despite a few physical dissimilarities
despite a few physical dissimilarities
despite a few physical dissimilarities he could effectively portray Malcolm at
he could effectively portray Malcolm at
he could effectively portray Malcolm at multiple stages of his life because the
multiple stages of his life because the
multiple stages of his life because the mother is the first teacher of the child
mother is the first teacher of the child
mother is the first teacher of the child the message that she gives that child
the message that she gives that child
the message that she gives that child the child gives to the world so we have
the child gives to the world so we have
the child gives to the world so we have to be very careful number four Daniel
to be very careful number four Daniel
to be very careful number four Daniel day-lewis as Abraham Lincoln Lincoln and
day-lewis as Abraham Lincoln Lincoln and
day-lewis as Abraham Lincoln Lincoln and come February first
come February first
come February first I intend to sign the Thirteenth
I intend to sign the Thirteenth
I intend to sign the Thirteenth Amendment Abraham Lincoln lived before
Amendment Abraham Lincoln lived before
Amendment Abraham Lincoln lived before presidents mannerisms could be captured
presidents mannerisms could be captured
presidents mannerisms could be captured for all time so it’s difficult to
for all time so it’s difficult to
for all time so it’s difficult to critique the accuracy of Daniel
critique the accuracy of Daniel
critique the accuracy of Daniel day-lewis his portrayal thanks to
day-lewis his portrayal thanks to
day-lewis his portrayal thanks to available archive photos and memoirs
available archive photos and memoirs
available archive photos and memoirs this famous method actor was able to
this famous method actor was able to
this famous method actor was able to bring Lincoln to life in an academy
bring Lincoln to life in an academy
bring Lincoln to life in an academy award-winning biopic portrayal oh well
award-winning biopic portrayal oh well
award-winning biopic portrayal oh well the news wife for instance is this thus
the news wife for instance is this thus
the news wife for instance is this thus and what is the reason for this dustless
and what is the reason for this dustless
and what is the reason for this dustless a picture is worth a thousand words and
a picture is worth a thousand words and
a picture is worth a thousand words and Daniel day-lewis had little more than
Daniel day-lewis had little more than
Daniel day-lewis had little more than that in order to channel the pensive
that in order to channel the pensive
that in order to channel the pensive objective self-aware influential and
objective self-aware influential and
objective self-aware influential and articulate 16th President of the United
articulate 16th President of the United
articulate 16th President of the United States but the English actors screen
States but the English actors screen
States but the English actors screen presence is so strong that all he needed
presence is so strong that all he needed
presence is so strong that all he needed to excel in this historical drama other
to excel in this historical drama other
to excel in this historical drama other than his excellent acting jobs of course
than his excellent acting jobs of course
than his excellent acting jobs of course was extra facial hair just this once
was extra facial hair just this once
was extra facial hair just this once mrs. Lincoln I demand if you could try
mrs. Lincoln I demand if you could try
mrs. Lincoln I demand if you could try and take the liberal and not the selfish
and take the liberal and not the selfish
and take the liberal and not the selfish point of view
point of view
point of view number three Michelle Williams as
number three Michelle Williams as
number three Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe My Week With Marilyn I’m
Marilyn Monroe My Week With Marilyn I’m
Marilyn Monroe My Week With Marilyn I’m 30 I guess that makes me
30 I guess that makes me
30 I guess that makes me lady to you Marilyn Monroe was
lady to you Marilyn Monroe was
lady to you Marilyn Monroe was undoubtedly a singular star but the
undoubtedly a singular star but the
undoubtedly a singular star but the similarities between the real Marilyn
similarities between the real Marilyn
similarities between the real Marilyn and the one in this film are still
and the one in this film are still
and the one in this film are still striking tomorrow I’m on television you
striking tomorrow I’m on television you
striking tomorrow I’m on television you remember I told you about in this not so
remember I told you about in this not so
remember I told you about in this not so typical biographical film Michelle
typical biographical film Michelle
typical biographical film Michelle Williams did not have to portray Monroe
Williams did not have to portray Monroe
Williams did not have to portray Monroe through an extended period of her life
through an extended period of her life
through an extended period of her life instead it’s about as the title suggests
instead it’s about as the title suggests
instead it’s about as the title suggests a seven day period during the film shoot
a seven day period during the film shoot
a seven day period during the film shoot of The Prince and the Showgirl you know
of The Prince and the Showgirl you know
of The Prince and the Showgirl you know it’s going to happen I’m gonna fall in
it’s going to happen I’m gonna fall in
it’s going to happen I’m gonna fall in love with him perhaps more scandalously
love with him perhaps more scandalously
love with him perhaps more scandalously the film also portrays the blonde
the film also portrays the blonde
the film also portrays the blonde bombshell’s alleged affair with her
bombshell’s alleged affair with her
bombshell’s alleged affair with her personal assistant the biopic format
personal assistant the biopic format
personal assistant the biopic format allowed Williams to showcase different
allowed Williams to showcase different
allowed Williams to showcase different aspects of her own abilities by
aspects of her own abilities by
aspects of her own abilities by channeling the actress the lover and the
channeling the actress the lover and the
channeling the actress the lover and the singer in her it also earned her a
singer in her it also earned her a
singer in her it also earned her a well-deserved Golden Globe Award number
well-deserved Golden Globe Award number
well-deserved Golden Globe Award number 2 James Franco is James Dean James Dean
2 James Franco is James Dean James Dean
2 James Franco is James Dean James Dean my then I got James Dean Jimmy Dean to
my then I got James Dean Jimmy Dean to
my then I got James Dean Jimmy Dean to say that Franco bears an uncanny
say that Franco bears an uncanny
say that Franco bears an uncanny resemblance to the rebel without a cause
resemblance to the rebel without a cause
resemblance to the rebel without a cause would be an understatement
would be an understatement
would be an understatement but you see right through me and don’t
but you see right through me and don’t
but you see right through me and don’t you but to portray someone in a biopic
you but to portray someone in a biopic
you but to portray someone in a biopic an actor must do more than look the part
an actor must do more than look the part
an actor must do more than look the part to master his role in dis made-for-tv
to master his role in dis made-for-tv
to master his role in dis made-for-tv film Franco scrutinized all three of
film Franco scrutinized all three of
film Franco scrutinized all three of Dean’s movies and picked up a number of
Dean’s movies and picked up a number of
Dean’s movies and picked up a number of his habits like smoking playing
his habits like smoking playing
his habits like smoking playing instruments and riding a motorcycle he
instruments and riding a motorcycle he
instruments and riding a motorcycle he also picked up on Dean’s more intangible
also picked up on Dean’s more intangible
also picked up on Dean’s more intangible qualities from his attitude and swagger
qualities from his attitude and swagger
qualities from his attitude and swagger to what Franco characterized as a
to what Franco characterized as a
to what Franco characterized as a pervasive loneliness in the end James
pervasive loneliness in the end James
pervasive loneliness in the end James Dean is a symbol of teen angst and
Dean is a symbol of teen angst and
Dean is a symbol of teen angst and nonconformist behavior and Franco
nonconformist behavior and Franco
nonconformist behavior and Franco depicted him to a tee did that doctor
depicted him to a tee did that doctor
depicted him to a tee did that doctor tell you anything about me before we
tell you anything about me before we
tell you anything about me before we hold the mirror to our topic here are a
hold the mirror to our topic here are a
hold the mirror to our topic here are a few honorable mentions
few honorable mentions
few honorable mentions [Music]
I’m not sure if you’re getting on excuse
I’m not sure if you’re getting on excuse me
me
me bill xse you’re good yes I think I’m
bill xse you’re good yes I think I’m
bill xse you’re good yes I think I’m pretty good are you creative I
pretty good are you creative I
pretty good are you creative I I think so open with the Macintosh team
I think so open with the Macintosh team
I think so open with the Macintosh team number one Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles ray
number one Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles ray
number one Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles ray hit me he told me to find my own voice
hit me he told me to find my own voice
hit me he told me to find my own voice beat this is it for this Oscar winning
beat this is it for this Oscar winning
beat this is it for this Oscar winning performance Jamie Foxx was inspired by
performance Jamie Foxx was inspired by
performance Jamie Foxx was inspired by Ray Charles ability to overcome both
Ray Charles ability to overcome both
Ray Charles ability to overcome both poverty and disability to find success
poverty and disability to find success
poverty and disability to find success and with loads of talent of his own and
and with loads of talent of his own and
and with loads of talent of his own and more than a passing resemblance to a
more than a passing resemblance to a
more than a passing resemblance to a subject Fox completely transformed into
subject Fox completely transformed into
subject Fox completely transformed into the blind soul music pioneer many years
the blind soul music pioneer many years
the blind soul music pioneer many years his senior although Fox didn’t dare
his senior although Fox didn’t dare
his senior although Fox didn’t dare imitate ray singing boys for the film he
imitate ray singing boys for the film he
imitate ray singing boys for the film he did dedicate himself to duplicating
did dedicate himself to duplicating
did dedicate himself to duplicating everything else he could to represent
everything else he could to represent
everything else he could to represent the man he even rehearsed with his eyes
the man he even rehearsed with his eyes
the man he even rehearsed with his eyes glued shut and took lessons in Braille
glued shut and took lessons in Braille
glued shut and took lessons in Braille exactly other than that you were doing
exactly other than that you were doing
exactly other than that you were doing swear box was also fortunate enough to
swear box was also fortunate enough to
swear box was also fortunate enough to play piano with the musical genius and
play piano with the musical genius and
play piano with the musical genius and it certainly shows in the film
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