Most movies are based on original scripts or they might be book adaptations, however, some are inspired by real-life stories that couldn’t have come from anyone’s imagination. The artists that face the challenge to portray these iconic and, sometimes, terrifying real-life characters, more than often, have to undergo complete makeovers to better portray these roles.

When makeup is not enough, impressive physical transformations are in order. Let’s take a look at some of the best portrayals that have ever been done in biopics. The effort and dedication invested by these artists to represent their characters in the most accurate way are truly breathtaking!

Taron Egerton as Elton John in Rocketman

Taron Egerton became a known face after starring in the Kingsman movie franchise and he then faced a whole new challenge. After much deliberation, he was the one chosen to portray the iconic Elton John in the movie Rocketman, which was released in May 2019.

Egerton had to shave half his head to better represent Elton’s incipient bald head in the ‘70s. Given that Elton himself was involved in the progress of the movie, he also performed in front of him on more than one occasion. According to Egerton, this was challenging and nerve-wracking but also a motivation to do Elton justice.

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody

Freddie Mercury is one of the biggest icons of rock music and together with his band, Queen, he became a legend that lives on to this day. Rami Malek, who had previously starred in Mr. Robot, his breakthrough role, did a spectacular job at portraying Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody; it was such a spectacular performance, in fact, that it earned him an Academy Award.

After the release of the movie, Queen was introduced to the newest generations and the total net worth of the band skyrocketed (again). Rami had to use prosthetics in order to look more like Freddie so that his nose and teeth could look closer to the Queen’s frontman.

Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster

On one of the most impressive transformations on this list, Charlize Theron forgot all about her model looks and gained 30 pounds, shaved her eyebrows and used prosthetics in order to look –and feel- like Aileen Wuornos in the movie Monster. Her efforts to portray the dramatic life and murders committed by Wuornos were recognized by everyone.

The role put Charlize in the spotlight, and she won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her performance. Charlize will be soon fleshing out another real-life person in an untitled project, in which she will play the part of former news anchor Megyn Kelly.

Yaya DaCosta as Whitney Houston in Whitney

Yaya DaCosta went deep into her character when she had the opportunity to portray iconic singer Whitney Houston in the Lifetime movie Whitney. She said that she lost her sleep while researching and trying to copy all of Whitney’s mannerisms, including her smile.

Playing this incredible singer but also portraying her dark side, including her addiction, was a challenge; but she rose to it. DaCosta has gone from being an America’s Next Top Model runner-up to acting in TV shows like Chicago Fire and Chicago Med, but her most demanding role so far has definitely been in Whitney.

Tiffany Smith as Meghan Markle in Harry & Meghan Becoming Royal

Tiffany Smith naturally has an impressive resemblance to Meghan Markle and she played the part of the former actress in the new movie Harry & Meghan Becoming Royal, which was released on May 27 of 2019. The film is about the year since Meghan became part of the Royal Family.

Tiffany, who has previously starred in Jane The Virgin and Supernatural is a relatively new face in the industry. The film was released shortly after Meghan and Harry’s first year anniversary and the trailer is stunning. The couple welcomed their first child in May 2019, a baby boy named Archie.

Naomi Watts as Princess Diana in Diana

Naomi Watts is an established actress in Hollywood and, despite the fact that the movie was harshly criticized, Watts gave her best in order to portray the Princess of Wales in the biopic, Diana. She used Diana’s actual clothes for some of the shoots and did plenty of research on the Princess.

Naomi also used prosthetics, in an effort to imitate all of her movements and gestures. She will be starring in one of the Game of Thrones prequels that are currently in the works after the HBO hit show has ended its final season.

Selma Blair as Kris Jenner in American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson

Selma Blair has been in the entertainment industry for decades now and has had roles in movies like Cruel Intentions and Hellboy. In 2015, she took on the role of Kris Jenner in the TV show American Crime Story: The People V O.J. Simpson.

The show portrayed the case of the murder of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, for which Nicole’s former husband, NFL star O.J. Simpson, was the prime suspect. Kris was one of Nicole’s best friends and the former wife of Robert Kardashian who was O. J.’s lawyer during the trial. Selma and Kris bonded over the role in real life.

Val Kilmer As Jim Morrison In The Doors

Some roles carry such a heavy emotional charge, that actors feel the need to live and breathe like the person they are portraying. Taking method acting to the extreme can surely result in breathtaking performances but can also compromise the state of mind of the artists playing the role. Val Kilmer felt just that, after having to undergo therapy to get rid of the darkness Jim Morrison’s role had left on him after filming The Doors. He basically wanted to live like the “Lizard King” to help his performance! His work paid off and although the movie had lukewarm reviews, his portrayal was applauded. Kilmer has an upcoming film titled, Soldier’s Heart.

Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy in Jackie

Natalie Portman first reached stardom for her role in the Star Wars franchise and since then, she has built an impressive career. After taking a hiatus to study at the university, she continued to act and eventually landed the role that would get her an Academy Award in Black Swan.

In 2017, she took on the role of the most famous First Lady in history, Jackie Kennedy, in the biopic Jackie. The film portrayed Jackie during her time in the White House and in the immediate days after her husband, President John F. Kennedy was murdered. Her portrayal was praised by the critics and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her excellent performance.

Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla in Selena

Selena Quintanilla was one of the most beloved singers of tex-mex when she was killed in 1995 by the president of her fan club and director of her fashion boutiques, Yolanda Saldívar. Jennifer Lopez was a burgeoning star when she got the opportunity to play the role of the late singer in the biopic Selena, which showed Selena’s life from her childhood until her untimely death.

This movie put Lopez in the spotlight and exponentially increased her fame. She went as far as sleeping in Selena’s former bed at her family home, trying to gain a sense of who she had been in order to do her justice on the screen.

Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile

No one would’ve imagined that the star from High School Musical would one day incarnate one of the most terrifying and cold-blooded serial killers in the history of the United States. However, that was exactly what Zac Efron did in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.

Zac portrayed the role of Ted Bundy, mostly from the perspective of Elizabeth Kloepfer who refused to see the truth almost until the end. The movie was released on the streaming TV platform Netflix in May 2019. Zac didn’t have to undergo a huge transformation as Bundy was able to pass as a regular and charismatic man, while no one knew what lurked underneath.

Demetrius Shipp Jr. As Tupac Shakur In All Eyez on Me

Actor Demetrius Shipp Jr. is the late Tupac Shakur’s celebrity lookalike, which explains why he got the starring role in the 2017 biopic about the Hit Em Up rapper. The film actually marked his acting debut. But prior to that, he worked at Dish Network and Target.

A friend who thought he looked like Shakur convinced him to audition for the role back in 2011 when the project was announced, and it paid off. Shipp is set to star in the 2019 films Cut Throat City and Same Difference. He is also a series regular in the show All American, which airs on The CW.

Daniel-Day Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln

Daniel Day-Lewis is a method actor, which means that for the time he’s interpreting his characters he completely immerses himself in the role he’s portraying. Daniel did this for the movie Lincoln, and more than the hairstyle, beard or prosthetics, he stayed in character for three months!

Steven Spielberg, the director of Lincoln, had to address him as Mr. President, just like everyone else on set. The strategy worked and Lewis’ portrayal was masterful and earned him an Academy Award, showing that his dedication had been completely worth it. This was the third Oscar for Day-Lewis.

 Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray

Jamie Foxx faced an intriguing challenge when he was presented with the opportunity to portray Ray Charles in the movie, Ray. Everything about Ray Charles was the stuff of legends: he was the creator of soul music; also, he was blind since he was seven years old, and he had a drug addiction! We’re sure you’ll agree all these made him quite a complicated character to portray.

Jamie was up to the challenge though. He lost 30 pounds and he had to audition in front of Ray Charles himself in order to get the role. Jamie excelled at it and Ray was set to go to the premiere of the movie but he passed away from liver cancer before the set date.

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep is one of the biggest actresses in the history of the entertainment industry. She has won an impressive number of awards, including three Academy Awards and eight Golden Globes. Portraying Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady was one of the most challenging roles of her career.

Streep had to change her accent and use numerous prosthetics in order to get the right look. This transformation earned both Meryl and her makeup artist an Academy Award. Streep is currently starring in the second season of the HBO hit TV show Big Little Lies.

Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo in Frida

Salma Hayek had already starred in movies like Desperado when she was faced with the role of the iconic Mexican feminist painter, Frida Kahlo. Her wardrobe alone was impressive with over 50 different outfits worn during the full movie as she tried to portray Frida’s growth throughout the years.

The role was very demanding but Hayek was proud of having the opportunity to bring Kahlo to the big screen. Salma has been involved in different projects since then, showing an increasing passion for production and direction, including hit TV shows like Ugly Betty.

Julianne Moore As Sarah Palin In Game Change

Prolific actress Julianne Moore played the lead role in the 2012 political drama film, Game Change, a story based on the US presidential election campaign in 2008. Moore dramatized Sarah Palin's bid to become Deputy President, a role that was challenging for her but she pulled it off with the help of dialect class.

The film received mixed reactions, with many appreciating Julianne’s performance. For once in her career, she received a Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG accolades. Besides acting, Moore is an author of children's publications like Freckleface Strawberry and My Mom is a Foreigner.

Sean Penn as Harvey Milk in Milk

Sean Penn had already won an Oscar for his role in Mystic River, but after his portrayal of politician Harvey Milk in the movie Milk, a second award was on his way. It all started when Penn accepted to play the charismatic Milk, very contrary to Sean’s more taciturn personality.

Penn would watch videos and a documentary that was made about Milk’s life and try to soak everything up. Milk was killed by Dan White, who was led court but tried to be convicted for manslaughter instead of murder. His newest movie was The Professor and The Madman, which was released in May 2019.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes in The Aviator

Leonardo DiCaprio might have gotten his big break in the movie Titanic, but his most impressive roles came later in his career. One of these was the portrayal of millionaire Howard Hughes in the movie The Aviator, where he played the part of the ambitious entrepreneur.

Howard was consumed by his OCD later on in his life; an aspect of Hughes which DiCaprio showed masterfully. Leonardo is currently one of the most coveted actors in Hollywood and he reunited with friend Brad Pitt for the movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which will be released in 2019.

Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything

Redmayne’s portrayal of scientist Stephen Hawking was so convincing, that Hawking himself thought that he was watching himself on the screen at times. Eddie pursued the role as soon as he found out the movie adaptation from the book Travelling to Infinity: My Life With Stephen, was going to take place.

Eddie had to work on how to portray Hawking, who suffered from motor neuron disease and contract his muscles in specific ways to be able to convincingly demonstrate Hawking’s condition on the screen. He met with Hawking himself in preparation for his role and was humbled by the Academy Award which he earned for his spectacular acting.

Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose

Edith Piaf might easily be one of the most iconic French singers of history. Marion Cotillard had been acting in French movies and TV, and had starred in a couple of Hollywood movies before landing the role of Piaf in the movie La Vie en Rose; the role which earned her an Academy Award as well as worldwide recognition.

In order to prepare for the role, Edith watched hours of footage of Piaf as well as read all the books she could find about her. She learned to walk and talk like her, but also to display her deepest emotions as well in order to fully envision her tumultuous life story.

John Travolta As John Gotti In Gotti

The Saturday Night Fever star John Travolta portrayed the role of John Gotti, a New York gangster, in the 2018 crime film Gotti alongside Spencer Lofranco as John "Junior" Gotti. The film chronicles the life of the famous crime leader John Gotti on his 30-year reign. It gave an account of how Gotti, his wife, and his son became the infamous Gambino Crime Family.

Behind the scenes, Travolta is also a film producer and American Crime Story won him his very first Primetime Emmy Award in 2016. For his performance as Robert Shapiro’ lawyer in the series, Travolta also earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.  

John C. Reilly & Steve Coogan As Laurel & Hardy In Stan & Ollie

Laurel and Hardy were a phenomenal duo in the world of comedy back in the 1920s and their legacy lives on. Comedian John C. Reilly together with Steve Coogan portrayed the legendary duo in the comedy-drama, Stan & Ollie. In 2018, the film earned the Boston Society of Film Critics Award.

John C. Reilly has also appeared in other blockbuster films like Magnolia, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, and  Kong: Skull Island. On the other hand, Steve Coogan co-produced and starred in the comedy film Philomena which he also co-wrote. Coogan has invested part of his $12-million fortune in real estate. 

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Capote

Philip Seymour Hoffman started his career in theater, but soon transitioned into television and film, making a name for himself, thanks to his incredible talent. One of his most prominent roles was in the movie Capote, which went deep into the life of writer Truman Capote.

For the role, Philip had to lose a lot of weight. He also watched and read everything he could find on Capote. Philip opted for method acting and he would stay in character in between shoots trying not to lose the character. His efforts earned him an Academy Award. Philip died eight years after Capote due to a combination of a drugs overdose.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game

Although Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the most sought-after actors in the industry at the moment, he was not the first choice for The Imitation Game; Leonardo DiCaprio was. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of mathematical genius Alan Turing was incredible and, according to Benedict, he was only able to do so because Turing got under his skin.

Despite being the founder of modern computer, Turing had a difficult life because he was gay during a time when such an affirmation was wrongly considered to be a mental health issue and was even a punishable crime! The movie helped shed light on Turing’s genius and life struggles, and Benedict’s performance was simply heartbreaking.

Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodruff in Dallas Buyer’s Club

Matthew McConaughey left us all stunned when he portrayed Ron Woodruff in the award-winning movie, Dallas Buyer’s Club. To become Woodruff on the screen - who had been diagnosed with AIDS - Matthew lost over 50 pounds.

Looking sickly and frail for his portrayal, Matthew’s dedication and great performance earned him the critic’s recognition and an Academy Award. His most recent role had him going back to his comedic origins as he starred in the movie Beach Bum, which was released in March 2019.

Faye Dunaway As Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest

Mommie Dearest is perhaps one of the most controversial biopics that has ever been made. Although memorable, the fact that it depicted actress Joan Crawford allegedly inflicting abuse on her adoptive daughter Christina made the whole thing quite scandalous. However, things did not turn out as she had expected. Christina, who was deeply involved in the process alongside her husband, was not happy with the result. The project was based on the bestselling books written by her and was turned into a film. However, many remember Dunaway for this role, although it ended up being one of her least favorite performances.

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic and complex historical figures in the United States. Marilyn, who started her life in the theater, became a movie star famous for her talent but also for her looks. Williams tried different techniques for weight gain but it wasn’t distributed as it should.

In order to get a fuller figure, the artist eventually had to make use of pads. William’s performance was critically acclaimed and she reinforced her position as one of the best actresses of her generation. Williams is currently working in another biographical project titled Fosse/Verdon.

Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in Invictus

What no one was expecting as they started shooting Invictus was the friendship that would grow between Morgan Freeman, one of the most recognizable faces –and voices- in the industry and political leader Nelson Mandela. But the friendship actually predates the movie.

When asked, Mandela said that Freeman should be the one to portray him if a movie about him was ever made. Therefore, since the ‘90s, Freeman and Mandela got to know each other and they would talk about life in general, but also about how to portray the activist that changed the history of South Africa.

Renée Zellweger As Judy Garland In Judy

Renée Zellweger is one of Hollywood’s best-known actresses. She has starred in huge blockbuster successes such as The Bridget Jones Diary series and won an Oscar for her performance on Cold Mountain. Now, she is generating a lot of Oscar buzz from only the trailers of her new movie, Judy.

Here, Renée portrays the icon Judy Garland during the last year of her life. The movie will be released in September 2019. Renée has also been working on a Netflix project titled What/If. This new anthology series is already on the streaming TV platform.

Russell Crowe As Roger Ailes In The Loudest Voice

Russell Crowe has been a well-established name in Hollywood for decades now. He has shown his versatility - from action roles like on Gladiator and Robin Hood to more dramatic characters such as that in A Beautiful Mind. This time, he has accepted the challenge to portray Roger Aisles, who was one of the most influential people on TV.

From his seat in Fox News, Aisles influenced politics in a massive way. Meanwhile, Russell had to go through hours of makeup and preparation in order to become Roger. The limited series titled The Loudest Voice will be released on June 30, 2019.

Darren Criss As Andrew Cunanan In The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Darren Criss became known for his role in the hit TV series Glee, where he showed his talent for acting, singing, and dancing. However, he took a big leap and played a deranged sociopathic killer on The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Darren had to get in the flesh of Andrew Cunanan, the murderer of beloved designer, Gianni Versace.

This performance from Darren earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has been focused on his personal life recently. He married his girlfriend Mia Swier in February 2019 and started house-hunting for his new family.

Christian Bale As Dick Cheney In Vice

Christian Bale is unquestionably one of the best actors in Hollywood right now. He has shown an amazing ability to transform himself into what is required of his character. This includes losing extreme amounts of weight or packing in pounds.

Such a transformation took place as well for his role as Dick Cheney in the movie, Vice. Not only was a weight gain involved but also a cosmetic transformation performed by a really good team. The film was released in 2018 to much critical acclaim. Bale was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for his performance.

Sarah Paulson As Marcia Clark In The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Sarah Paulson became one of the first stars to participate in the anthology series, American Crime Story. They decided to make the first season about the case against O.J. Simpson. Here, Sarah portrayed the tenacious prosecutor, Marcia Clark. It was a challenging role that earned her an Emmy Award.

Sarah has also been a regular part of the cast of American Horror Story, however, she is uncertain about participating in the newest season. It's been confirmed in May 2019 that she will have a role in the new FX miniseries Mrs. America alongside Cate Blanchett.

Claire Foy As Queen Elizabeth II In The Crown

Claire Foy’s portrayal of the ruler of Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II, was simply flawless. She took on the challenge for the Netflix series The Crown and the Queen herself was said to have been pleased with Foy’s performance. However, Claire will no longer be playing the part in the succeeding season.

For the third season of the show, there will be a time jump, which means that the entire cast will be replaced. The 'new' Queen will be actress Olivia Colman, an Oscar winner in 2019. That should give Her Majesty something to smile about! Meanwhile, Claire will be starring in a new stage play titled, Lungs.

Margot Robbie As Tonya Harding In I, Tonya

When Tonya Harding was only 23 years of age, she became the center of the spotlight and celebrity news. All of this was because her major competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, was attacked before the Winter Olympics. The twist was that Tonya’s former husband had been the one who had orchestrated the entire thing.

Tonya had never been involved in the crime, but she was judged guilty by the media. Margot Robbie showed how great her talent was one more time during her performance. She has allowed the public to get a better look at Tonya’s life, 'humanizing' a person that has been cast as the villain by the entire world.

Gary Oldman As Winston Churchill In The Darkest Hour

Gary Oldman spent hours on the chair of the best professional makeup artist, Kazuhiro Tsuji, in order to achieve this transformation. The combination of Tsuji’s talent and Gary’s incredible performance brought to life an incredibly realistic Winston Churchill. Gary studied his mannerisms to get into character and all his efforts were rewarded.

The Darkest Hour became an Academy Award nominee for categories like Best Picture. Oldman took home the statue for Best Actor - his first. Tsuji’s efforts were also recognized with an Oscar. Meanwhile, Gary’s new project, Killers Anonymous, will be released in 2019. He co-stars with Jessica Alba and Sadie Frost.

Tom Hardy As The Kray Twins In Legend

Tom Hardy is quite the chameleon and he’s able to transform into virtually any character. He morphed into the Kray twins for the 2015 film Legend playing the role of Ronnie Kray and his twin Reggie. The role won him the Best Actor nod at the 2015 British Independent Film Awards.

Legend was the second film that told the story of the Kray twins, with Martin and Gary Kemp playing the role of the twins in the original 1990 movie. Both films drew inspiration from The Profession of Violence, the 1972 biography written by John Pearson. The 2015 film was director Brian Helgeland’s fifth full movie.

Kerry Washington As Anita Hill In Confirmation

Kerry Washington shed her Olivia Pope persona from the TV show Scandal and embraced being on the other side of power for the movie, Confirmation. Here, she played Anita Hill, a polemic figure that sparked a lot of debate in 1991. She had damning testimony regarding Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

Hill decided to step up at a time when these things were rarely talked about. Washington studied all the available footage of the case and spoke with Hill herself in order to prepare for the role. The HBO television movie was released in 2016.

Tom Hanks As Walt Disney In Saving Mr. Banks

In Saving Mr. Banks, Tom Hanks took on the role of Walt Disney. Disney promised his daughters that he would make Mary Poppins into a movie one day. However, he first had to go through the difficult process of convincing P.L. Travers, the author of the story.

This was the story narrated in Saving Mr. Banks, a role that Hanks thought over and over before accepting. After all, Walt Disney was one of the most iconic figures in entertainment history and Hanks felt it was a huge responsibility to portray him. He shouldn’t have worried; his performance and that of co-star Emma Thompson were widely acclaimed.

Cate Blanchett As Bob Dylan In I’m Not There

In a very unique project, six different actors played the iconic singer, Bob Dylan, in the movie, I’m Not There. Cate Blanchett’s performance in this full movie was worth noting. She embraced the character in a very personal way and managed to portray the depth of Dylan’s feelings.

Cate’s performance earned her numerous accolades. This included a Golden Globe award as well as an Oscar nomination. Blanchett is currently working in a new miniseries titled Mrs. America. She will also star and co-produce Stateless, an immigration drama. Cate, who is now 50, shows no signs of slowing down.

Tom Hiddleston As Hank Williams In I Saw the Light

Even though Tom Hiddleston is now mostly associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe character Loki, with his latest movie reprising the role being 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, he had played in many other successful films before. The biggest example was the movie I Saw the Light, directed by Marc Abraham and followed the story of the King of Country Music, Hank Williams.

Hank died of heart failure at age 29, on January 1, 1953, as he was trying to reach a scheduled gig, which he had delayed by one day already due to a storm. The movie depicted his sudden rise to fame and the effects it had on his health, body, and relationships.

Benjamin Kingsley As Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi In Gandhi

The usual order of things is that books are adapted into movies. However, in the case of the film Gandhi, the screenplay was turned into a book after the movie’s immense release.  This was the role that allowed Ben Kingsley to become a famous actor and also earned him an Academy Award.

Kingsley’s portrayal of this charismatic leader was a huge challenge for the actor. However, he played him in a very touching way. Since then, Kingsley has had various memorable roles and he’s currently working on new projects. One of them is titled Long Gone Heroes, where he will work with Guy Pearce.

Taylor Kitsch As David Koresh In Waco

Taylor Kitsch almost walked out of this one. As he was rehearsing for his role as the charismatic but dangerous David Koresh, he felt overwhelmed. He did have a great responsibility as he would be one of the main stars in this miniseries. The show was inspired by the events that took place in Waco.

In 1993, one of the United States’ biggest massacres took place when David Koresh and his followers had a confrontation with the FBI. Kitsch had said that he feared for his mental health during the time he was trying to better understand and portray Koresh.

Penelope Cruz As Donatella Versace In The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Penelope Cruz is one of the most successful Spanish actresses of all time. She has had iconic performances, such as on Vicky Cristina Barcelona. She also took on the role of Donatella Versace in the real crime drama, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

Donatella is considered a fashion icon and is one of the most influential figures in the industry. Cruz did her character justice in the show without a doubt. Meanwhile, she promoted her newest project, Dolor Y Gloria in May 2019 at the Cannes Film Festival. She was accompanied by co-star Antonio Banderas and director Pedro Almodovar.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt As Edward Snowden In Snowden

Sometimes, the scandal is not even over but the movie is already being made. This was almost the case with Snowden. The movie focused on Edward Snowden, a whistleblower who let the American people know one of the best-kept secrets. The National Security Agency was actually spying on American citizens, which caused a lot of controversy at the time.

Gordon-Levitt’s portrayal of Snowden was critically acclaimed; however, the movie did not reach huge success money-wise. Joseph’s newest project, titled 7500, was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019. He also has another, untitled film project in post-production.

Tom Hanks As Mr. Rogers In A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Mr. Rogers is remembered as one of the most beloved and charismatic TV show hosts in American history. In November 2019, we will get to see part of his story in theaters. Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks will portray Rogers. This is a story about hope and a renewed belief in humanity.

After all, the film focuses on Tom Junod, who was set to write an exposé on Rogers behind the mask. Instead, after establishing a friendship with him, he would realize that Rogers truly was as kind as he seemed. The exposé would turn into a tribute for Rogers. Hanks seems very pleased with the result.

Willem Dafoe As Vincent van Gogh In At Eternity’s Gate

Willem Dafoe is one of Hollywood’s most prolific character actors. He has been nominated for an Academy Award on four different occasions. One of this was for his role as Vincent van Gogh on At Eternity’s Gate. The 2018 movie focused on van Gogh’s final years, including his stay in a psychiatric hospital, and it put forward an interesting theory.

Despite the idea that van Gogh's death was due to suicide, it had been speculated that it might have been the result of an accident. This was shown in the film, which was met with critical acclaim. Dafoe's newest project The Lighthouse premiered in Cannes in May 2019. It also starred Robert Pattinson.

Bruno Ganz As Adolf Hitler In Downfall

Bruno Ganz was a Swiss actor who became one of the most awarded and recognized actors in Switzerland and Germany. He was honored several times for his stage performances and was also recognized for his film roles. One of these was his portrayal of Adolf Hitler in the movie Downfall, released in 2004.

This portrayal earned Bruno an Academy Award nomination as well as much critical acclaim. His last project was A Hidden Life and it was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019. Ganz passed away in February 2019 after battling cancer.

Michael Douglas As Liberace In Behind The Candelabra

Liberace became one of the most legendary musicians in history. With his incredible talent and unique style, he was the inspiration to more than one fashion designer. He also broke paradigms and pushed boundaries during his career. Both Michael Douglas’ performance as well as Matt Damon’s, his co-star, were widely lauded.

Meanwhile, seventy-something Douglas shows no signs of retiring anytime soon. He currently has a hit show on Netflix titled The Kominsky Method. Furthermore, his most recent film, It Takes A Lunatic, was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival in May 2019.

Ashton Kutcher As Steve Jobs In Jobs

Ashton Kutcher portrayed the legendary billionaire, Steve Jobs. The movie focused both on his beginnings after he dropped out of college, and his success. It would lead up to the point where the company would launch the first iPod, revolutionizing the market. This was one of the first films made about the popular computer mogul.

Soon after, Michael Fassbender also played the role of Jobs on Steve Jobs. Ashton has been a part of the cast of The Ranch, a successful TV dramedy. He also appeared alongside James Franco in the 2017 movie, The Long Home.

Kurt Russell As Elvis Presley In Elvis

Kurt Russell had the difficult task of playing rock and roll icon Elvis Presley in the movie Elvis, released in 1979. His role in this movie made for television earned Russell an Emmy nomination and it would be his last role on TV. Since then, he has had a successful Hollywood career.

Russell also found love in the Elvis movie and had his wedding with co-star Season Hubley shortly after the film. However, the marriage didn’t last. Of course, Kurt is now with fellow actress Goldie Hawn and they've been together for over 35 years. He has participated in many films alongside Elvis director Jon Carpenter.

Patricia Arquette & Joey King As Dee Dee & Gypsy In The Act

The critics have fallen in love with Patricia Arquette and Joey King’s performances in The Act. The controversial series explores the real-life story of Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blanchard. In this exploration of Munchausen’s syndrome, it was depicted how Gypsy (Joey King) grew up believing she suffered all kind of diseases.

In reality, there was nothing wrong with Gypsy and the entire thing had been orchestrated by her mother. Patricia and Joey actually developed a mother-daughter relationship that went beyond the cameras. Joey had to do a lot of research for her role. Thanks to this, despite not having Arquette’s experience, King managed to deliver this exceptional performance.

Sienna Miller As Edie Sedgwick In Factory Girl

Edie Sedgwick was one of artist Andy Warhol’s muses. A socialite, model, and actress, she was one of the beauties of the ‘60s. However, she felt left out as she didn’t have all of Warhol’s attention. Sienna masterfully played this tormented character alongside co-star Guy Pearce.

Sienna will be starring in a real-life drama again in June 2019. She will play the role of Roger Aisles’ wife in the series, The Loudest Voice. This Showtime political drama has Russell Crowe as its main star but Sienna’s transformation is truly impressive as well.

Angela Bassett As Tina Turner In What’s Love Got to Do with It

In this book adaptation from I, Tina, Angela Bassett had the immense challenge of portraying the music legend, Tina Turner. The movie was a blockbuster success and earned Bassett an Academy Award nomination. To this day, many feel that she should’ve gotten the trophy.

Angela has become a household name for her many impressive roles. One of the most recent ones was in the franchise American Horror Story as well as in Marvel's  Black Panther. She was presented with an honorary Ph.D. from Morehouse College in May 2019 for her contribution to the film industry.

Audrey Tautou As Coco Chanel In Coco Before Chanel

One of the most empowering and iconic champions in the history of fashion was Coco Chanel. She changed the way women dressed and modernized women’s clothing. Furthermore, her brand has survived to this day and is one of the most classic and recognized names in the world.

Audrey Tautou, better known for her role in the movie Amelie, had the difficult task of portraying Chanel. The movie focused on Chanel before she was a legend, which proved very difficult. According to Audrey herself, Chanel was very secretive about her past. Therefore, information was scarce. Audrey’s performance was well-received by the critics.

Benicio Del Toro As Che Guevara In Che

El Che Guevara is one of the most polemic figures in recent history. The Argentinian revolutionary played an instrumental role in the Cuban rebellion that put Fidel Castro in power. Benicio del Toro played the part of Guevara in front of the camera in this two-part film directed by Steven Soderbergh.

The first part was focused on the Cuban revolution while the second one highlighted Guevara’s efforts in Bolivia. Del Toro’s performance was widely acclaimed and he won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was a success with the public as well.

Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line

Joaquin Phoenix is a Puerto Rican actor known for his roles in movies like Gladiator. He accepted the challenge of portraying Johnny Cash, one of the biggest American musicians. In the movie, Joaquin acted alongside Reese Witherspoon who played the role of June Carter, fellow musician and future wife of Cash.

Joaquin had to portray the tumultuous life of Cash, who had a substance abuse problem that put everything in danger for him. Joaquin was nominated to an Academy Award for his portrayal of Cash. His upcoming project, Joker, will be released in 2019.

Lindsay Lohan As Elizabeth Taylor In Liz & Dick

Elizabeth Taylor’s romance with fellow actor Richard Burton was the stuff of legends. These icons really got married and asked for divorce twice! Their love story was really something out of the ordinary. Therefore, it was not really an oddity that it was brought to film.

However, the decision to have Lindsay Lohan play the role of Taylor was a controversial one. After all, she had been away from filming for five years and this Lifetime movie centered its publicity on her comeback instead of on Liz and Dick’s story. The movie was not a great success and Lindsay’s erratic behavior continued.

Andre 3000 As Jimi Hendrix In Jimi: All Is By My Side

André 3000, one half of the group OutKast, had the honor of playing Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix is considered as one of the greatest musicians and inspiration and influence for many artists today. The version presented in the movie caused plenty of controversies. Hendrix’s acquaintances and friends said that the film was mostly fiction.

Special concern was raised regarding the violent characteristics depicted by the character in the film. According to the people who knew him, this was not the reality. The film had a limited release. André was seen in May 2019 attending the high school graduation ceremony of the son of Big Boi, the other half of OutKast.

Madonna As Evita Peron In Evita

Is there something Madonna can’t do? In this ‘70s adaptation of the concept album Evita, Madonna played the role of Evita Peron. Portraying the Argentinian public figure’s life was not an easy feat. However, Madonna’s performance received numerous award nominations and the movie won an Oscar for Best Song. The Queen of Pop showed her versatility one more time, thanks to this role.

Madonna has continued to have an incredible career and stay fit with plenty of exercises. She recently released the single Medellin alongside Colombian reggaeton singer, Maluma. Their performance at the Billboard Music Awards showed that Madonna still could sing and dance like a star.

Robert Pattinson As Salvador Dalí In Little Ashes

The year 2008 was a busy period for Robert Pattinson. Not only was the blockbuster hit movie Twilight released but he also played artist Salvador Dalí. Little Ashes dealt with Dalí’s romance with writer and poet Federico García Lorca. Set in Spain, this seemed to have been more up Pattinson’s alley, who had shown a preference for independent movies.

Pattinson had promoted his newest film The Lighthouse at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019. However, a surprising scoop has been keeping celebrity news busy: Warner Bros. has made Pattinson their top choice in playing the new Batman. And, it has been confirmed that Pattinson has accepted the challenge of playing the Caped Crusader.

Denzel Washington As Malcolm X In Malcolm X

Denzel Washington is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. His 1992 film Malcolm X had him playing the titular character. Malcolm X was one of the most iconic leaders and activists in American history. His life story was depicted in this movie, including his appearance in court due to criminal charges.

The movie also showed his childhood and experience with racism as well as his ministry and public appearances. It was critically acclaimed and was selected for preservation for its historical and cultural relevance. Denzel, who has had an outstanding career, will receive in June 2019, the AFI award for lifetime achievement.

Michael Pitt As Kurt Cobain In Last Days

This biopic is not as straightforward as most. Although the movie aimed to shed light on Cobain’s final days, it did so by using a character similar to him that went by the name of Blake and had Cobain’s hair and style.

Cobain was an idol and the biggest representative of grunge and the rebelliousness feel of the times. His band Nirvana is considered one of the biggest ones in history. Pitt has appeared in TV shows like Hannibal and his upcoming projects are titled Run With The Hunted and You Can’t Win, both in post-production.

Tom Hardy As Charles Bronson In Bronson

Tom Hardy went through a demanding regimen when preparing for the title role of the 2008 biographical crime drama, Bronson. He told Ask Men that he had only five weeks to make the transformation into the notorious criminal. To bulk up his frame, he ate lots of fats through a meal plan made up of chicken, rice, and pizza.

By putting on 7 lbs per week, Hardy became 35 lbs heavier by the time he was screen-ready. Interestingly, the subject of the film, Charles Bronson, revealed in a 2017 letter that he would like Tom Hardy or Eastenders star Danny Dryer to father his child with his then-girlfriend, Paula Williamson.

Emile Hirsch As Christopher McCandless In Into The Wild

Emile Hirsch was also among the list of stars who have had to lose weight for a role. Hirsch took on the lead role in the 2007 Sean Penn film Into The Wild which was an adaptation of the 1996 book by the same name written by Jon Krauker.

Hirsch explained that throughout filming, he weighed about 130 lbs while before that, he tipped the scales at 156 lbs. He had to lose another 15 lbs for the Alaska scenes portraying Christopher McCandless who traveled across North America in the early '90s. Losing weight paid off because his stellar performance earned him a Best Actor Screen Actors Guild nomination.

Luke Perry As Lane Frost In 8 Seconds

Riverdale fans are still coming to terms with the death of actor Luke Perry who passed on after he suffered a massive ischemic stroke in February 2019. Perry had appeared on other successful shows before that, including Beverly Hills, 90210 and its sequel, 90210.

One of his most underrated performances by far was his appearance in the 1994 biographical drama 8 Seconds as rodeo legend Lane Frost. While the rodeo film wasn’t the kind that bagged any awards, it still was a decent movie about a man many idolized as kids. News about Perry and Wendy Bauer’s secret engagement broke after his passing.

Lynn Whitfield As Josephine Baker In The Josephine Baker Story

Josephine Barker is still remembered as a great entertainer and also for her services as a secret agent for the French Resistance. In 1991, her story was immortalized through the TV film, The Josephine Baker Story. Actress Lynn Whitfield-Butler took on the title role offering an exemplary performance which won her several accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for the role.

Her movie costume, which mirrored the iconic girdle Baker wore made of artificial bananas, earned the film a costume design Emmy Award. The film also won awards for directing, art direction, and hairstyling.

Clint Eastwood As Frank Morris In Escape From Alcatraz

Escape from Alcatraz dramatized the tale of 1962 prison break which had also been documented in a 1963 non-fiction book by J. Campbell Bruce. Actor Clint Eastwood played the lead role portraying Frank Morris who dared to escape the maximum security facility on the Alcatraz Island.

A robbery arrest landed Morris at the Louisiana State Penitentiary where he first escaped. A year later, he ended up behind prison bars for burglary and that was how he found himself in Alcatraz. Morris orchestrated the escape alongside brothers Clarence and John Anglin, and Allen West.

Bradley Cooper As Chris Kyle In American Sniper

American Sniper tells the story of America’s most lethal sniper, Chris Kyle. The Clint Eastwood film was loosely based a 2012 memoir written by Chris Kyle, Jim DeFelice, and Scott McEwen. Actor Bradley Cooper had to hit the gym to transform into the character role and he had to bulk up.

Cooper had to add the weight in just about three months before filming kicked off. He explained that he was going for a “bear” look because Kyle wasn’t ripped but rather a big and strong man. He told Men’s Health that he also had to go on a 6,000 calorie meal plan, adding 39 lbs in time for filming.

Cate Blanchett As Queen Elizabeth In Elizabeth

The biographical drama Elizabeth dramatized the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I. Cate Blanchett played the role of Elizabeth who took to the throne following her half sister’s death. Mary I, her half-sister, had actually imprisoned Elizabeth and taking the throne only exposed her to threats and plots against her life.

Blanchett’s performance earned her international accolade and she won several awards for the role as well. The film received seven nominations at the Academy Awards and ultimately earned the Best Makeup win. Blanchett reprised the role in the 2007 sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Sigourney Weaver As Dian Fossey In Gorillas In The Mist

Sigourney Weaver played the role of primatologist Dian Fossey in the 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist. The biopic told the story of Fossey’s work in Rwanda interacting with mountain gorillas. Weaver had to do the same while filming and she had a near fatal mishap when one of the apes suddenly attacked her.

Fossey had developed a love for animals while attending a veterinarian school and she later managed to talk paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey into funding her long-term study of gorillas. The film received five Academy Award nominations but it ultimately won two awards during the 1989 Golden Globe Awards.

Tom Hanks As Chesley Sullenberger In Sully

Tom Hanks seems to have a penchant for biographical movies. And honestly, sometimes, the reality far surpasses whatever our imagination can come up with. This movie shows the struggle and success of pilot Chesley Sullenberger to save more than a hundred lives.

Sullenberger was piloting a US Airways Flight when both engines stopped working after hitting a flock of birds. This forced him to land at the Hudson River, with no casualties. Hanks and Sullenberger went to interviews together to promote the movie, which was based on Sullenberger’s autobiography, Highest Duty.

Claire Danes As Temple Grandin In Temple Grandin

Actress Claire Danes ranted at the fact that she had always played parts where she fell in love. She felt like she wanted to do something different and finally, she got the lead role on Temple Grandin. The 2010 biographical drama tells the story of the iconic woman who revolutionized animal rights by promoting humane handling practices at slaughterhouses and cattle ranches.

Temple Grandin also became an inspiration for those with autism and she even became the first autistic to publicly talk and write about her condition. Claire Danes won the Golden Globe Best Actress award under the Television Film category for her performance in the film.

Wagner Moura As Pablo Escobar in Narcos

The streaming tv platform, Netflix, launched their Latin American-focused stories with the show, Narcos. It tells the story of an American DEA officer trying to apprehend and bring to justice notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. Brazilian actor Wagner Moura was selected to play Escobar, the infamous head of one of Colombia’s biggest cartels. His performance in the hit series has earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Although the casting of a Brazilian actor to play a Colombian character was controversial, Wagner certainly lived up to the challenge. Aside from Narcos, Wagner also has acting credits for other international productions such as the movies Elysium and Elite Squad.

Emma Stone As Billie Jean King in Battle of The S****

In order to portray Billie Jean King well, Emma Stone had personal sessions with the world-famous tennis player. The movie tells the story of Billie Jean and Bobby Riggs’ tennis match, which was a very important event in the ‘70s. During that time, women were fighting to demonstrate that they could do the same things as men, and Billie’s victory was very symbolic. The La La Land star changed up her hairstyle and got a tan to transform herself to play King, who was very impressed with Emma’s performance and was still surprised at seeing herself portrayed on the screen.

James Franco As Tommy Wiseau in The Disaster Artist

This movie about a movie earned James Franco a Golden Globe Award. In The Disaster Artist, he played Tommy Wiseau. Tommy is the director and actor of a full movie titled, The Room, which has been cataloged as one of the worst in Hollywood history. Franco managed to show the deep sadness Wiseau was feeling while filming it. He also had to commune with Wiseau’s very different perspectives with regards to filming. James directed the movie alongside friend and fellow actor Seth Rogen. The Room has become a cult movie, which is appreciated by many due to how terrible it is.

Jason Segel As David Foster Wallace in The End Of The Tour

David Foster Wallace was an iconic and critically acclaimed writer. He had a unique talent for creating nuanced and detailed stories. Unfortunately, likely in the midst of depression, he killed himself in 2008. With many admirers, it was only a matter of time before a movie about his life was made. Jason Segel got to portray him, which was a huge jump from his prior comedic roles. His performance was widely acclaimed, despite initial public reticence and disbelief that he would be able to play this role convincingly. He did more than that and impressed everyone with his impeccable performance.

Jamal Woolard As Notorious BIG in All Eyes On Me

Jamal Woolard has had the opportunity to portray groundbreaking rapper Biggie Smalls in two different projects. The first one was Notorious and the second one was in All Eyez On Me. He had to implement certain changes in his diet and general lifestyle as he needed to gain several pounds in order to accurately portray the deceased rapper. Jamal is also a rapper in real life and goes under the name Gravy. He has participated in other projects, but these ones are his most well-known to this date. All Eyez On Me was released in 2017.

Ben Kingsley As Adolf Eichmann in Operation Finale

Ben Kingsley is an acclaimed British actor, and portraying real-life characters is one of his many talents. He has amassed a $60 million net worth throughout his career. Having risen to fame for his role as Gandhi, he portrays a completely different character in the film, Operation Finale, where he plays the part of Adolf Eichmann. The film is focused on the pursuit of Eichmann, a Nazi war criminal, more than a decade after the end of World War II.  It was a very demanding role for Kingsley, and he said that he disliked who he was representing very much. However, his performance, as usual, was excellent.

Benedict Cumberbatch As Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate

Benedict Cumberbatch showed his talent as an actor once more when he portrayed Julian Assange, the mastermind behind the Wikileaks phenomenon, in the movie The Fifth Estate. The movie was based mainly on two different books. In a letter from Julian to Benedict, Assange claims that most of what it said was untrue and that it was a vendetta against him and his organization. Despite Julian’s rejection of the production, the movie was shot and released to mixed reviews. What all critics agreed on was Cumberbatch’s great performance. Benedict achieved worldwide fame for starring in the show Sherlock and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies as Doctor Strange.

Jennifer Love Hewitt As Audrey Hepburn in The Audrey Hepburn Story

Jennifer Love-Hewitt rose to fame starring in horror movies, but she soon showed her softer side and great acting talent in the tv show, Ghost Whisperer. Before landing this lucrative role, she portrayed the iconic Audrey Hepburn in a movie about her life. It spanned from her ballerina years to her struggles with her parents getting divorced. The plot also included her success as a Hollywood actress as well as her important humanitarian work. Jennifer seems to be involved in many projects in 2019, including starring in the show 9-1-1, which has been running since 2018.

Forest Whitaker As Idi Amin in The Last King Of Scotland

Forest Whitaker is easily one of the best actors of his generation. He has a great ability to portray sentiment and give his characters the most realistic feel. In the 2006 movie adaptation of the novel The Last King of Scotland, he portrayed Uganda’s totalitarian President Idi Amin. His performance earned him an Academy Award and critical acclaim for his very accurate portrayal. His co-star James McAvoy’s performance as his personal doctor was also very well-received. This great cast made it a very powerful movie. Whitaker is currently developing a project with Netflix titled Hello, Universe.

Anthony Hopkins As Alfred Hitchcock in Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock is known as one of the most influential figures in the history of the film industry. His groundbreaking techniques, as well as his bold projects, helped to implement a change in how movies were being made in Hollywood. The movie Hitchcock has Anthony Hopkins portraying the iconic director. It takes place during the filming of one of his most successful and challenging movies, Psycho. Anthony had to portray the impact the filming of the movie had on Hitchcock's marriage after he decided to use his own money to pay for the movie himself.

Robert Downey Jr. As Charles Chaplin in Charlie

Robert Downey Jr. decided to go for a big challenge with this one. This ‘90s production about the life of the iconic and talented comic actor, Charlie Chaplin, starred Downey Jr. as the main character. The movie Charlie encompasses Chaplin’s entire life, from his beginnings with no cash in the bank to his failed marriages. His tumultuous personal life didn’t stop Chaplin from becoming a silent movie star. His legacy is still alive even decades after his death. Just like Chaplin, Downey Jr. has also built a lasting legacy in the industry. His latest project, Avengers: Endgame, is one of the highest-grossing movies of all times.

Gary Oldman As Ludwig van Beethoven in Immortal Beloved

Gary Oldman is no stranger to playing real-life characters. One of the first ones he portrayed was composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven in 1994's Immortal Beloved. The film aimed to portray not only Beethoven’s life but also the project his secretary, Anton Schindler, undertook after Beethoven’s death. He wanted to find the recipient of love letters written by his former boss. Gary managed to portray the most tormented years of the famous classical composer in a masterful way. A trailer of Oldman’s upcoming project titled Killers Anonymous, which he will be starring in alongside Jessica Alba, was released in May 2019.

Cuba Gooding Jr. As  O.J. Simpson In American Crime Story: The People v. O.J Simpson

Cuba Gooding Jr. took a risk portraying the character of O.J. Simpson in the acclaimed mini-series, American Crime Story: The People v. O.J Simpson. Although the series itself had great reviews, Gooding Jr.’s performance was met with mixed reactions. The actor, whose most recent work was in the 2018 full movie Bayou Caviar, was said to have failed to convey O.J. Simpson’s voice, mannerisms, and personality. One critic from The Guardian said that his 'whiny' voice was nothing like O.J.’s deep commanding tones, while another from the New York Post remarked that his portrayal could easily be forgotten. Ouch!

Gary Busey As Buddy Holly In The Buddy Holly Story

Gary Busey is most known for his role in the 1984 film, Lethal Weapon. But he has been around for over four decades and has in his portfolio over 150 films. His truly stellar moment happened when he played singer Buddy Holly on The Buddy Holly Story from 1978. His performance was praised and described as “galvanizing," and it was the focal point of the movie. It earned Busey an Academy Award nomination. Busey released a two-song bundle cover of Buddy Holly’s Not Fade Away in 2018.  When he was asked why he covered this song, in particular, he said that he believed that the piece was a universal love song.

Sandra Bullock As Leigh Anne Tuohy In The Blind Side

Sandra Bullock almost passed on playing the lead role in the award-winning 2009 film The Blind Side. She changed her mind after director John Lee Hancock took her to Memphis to meet Leigh Anne Tuohy, the movie’s subject. Tuohy wasn’t about to let Hancock and Bullock run with their creative liberty and she gave her input during filming.

The result was a moving tale about a Southern family who took in a homeless boy who ended up being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. The film earned big money at the box office, raking in $300 million. Bullock won the Best Actress award at the Oscars and the Golden Globe Awards.

Angelina Jolie As Gia Carangi In Gia

Gia Marie Carangi is still considered as one of the pioneering supermodels in America, having graced the cover of Vogue and Cosmopolitan magazines multiple times. In 1998, HBO commissioned a biopic telling the story of the troubled model with Angelina Jolie as the title character.

The film served as Jolie’s breakthrough and she won her second Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the role. Jolie had actually temporarily given up acting after that role but the awards and positive reception compelled her to resume her career.

Sissy Spacek As Loretta Lynn In Coal Miner's Daughter

Country superstar Loretta Lynn’s tale is told through the 1980 biographical film Coal Miner’s Daughter. Lynn’s story is truly an exceptional one, having been raised poor and getting married at 15. She overcame all the odds to become one of the most successful country artists.

Actress Sissy Spacek played the title role in the film, winning an Academy Award for her performance. Tommy Lee Jones starred alongside Spacey as Loretta’s husband Dolittle “Mooney” Lynn. Spacek received the 2018 CMT Artist of a Lifetime honor on behalf of Loretta Lynn who, at 87, wasn’t at her best health to turn up in person.

Gary Oldman As Sid Vicious In Sid and Nancy

Sid Vicious was part of the famous English punk rock band credited for precipitating the punk rock movement. Sid Vicious served as the band’s bassist and his troubled story involving substance dependence is retold through Sid and Nancy. Gary Oldman played the role of Sid Vicious while Chloe Webb portrayed Nancy Spungen,  Sid’s groupie-turned-girlfriend.

The two were considered the punk rock version of Romeo & Juliet and it ended similarly in tragedy with Sid’s arrest over the death of his girlfriend. The 1986 biopic didn’t do well following its theatrical release but it later became a cult classic.

Patty Duke As Helen Keller In The Miracle Worker

Playhouse 90 was a 1957 anthology series based on the play, The Miracle Worker. In 1962, it received a new breath of life through a same-titled film for the big screen. The biopic tells the story of Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller’s blind tutor.

The screenwriter, William Gibson, sourced for information from Helen Keller’s 1902 autobiography, Story of My Life. Actress Patty Duke delivered a compelling performance as Helen Keller while Anne Bancroft portrayed the role of Anne Sullivan. The film went on to receive five Academy Award nominations and it won two.

Tina Fey As Sarah Palin On Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live is an NBC sketch comedy show that has hosted several big names, including Tina Fey. The actress/comedian is best remembered for parodying former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. Fey also returned as a guest on the show a couple of times to portray Palin.

That impersonation won Fey a Primetime Emmy Award for being an Outstanding Guest Actress featured in a comedy series. Fey is also the creative mind behind the highly acclaimed comedy show 30 Rock and the sitcom Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt that’s available on Netflix streaming TV service.

Cate Blanchett As Katharine Hepburn In Aviator

Cate Blanchett co-starred as Kathrine Hepburn in the movie Aviator alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in 2004. In the movie, she played Howard Hugh’s long-time lover. Cate did such a great job that she was awarded an Academy Award for her role.

Blanchett, an Australian theatre director, and actress is Giorgio Armani’s Beauty and Fragrances global ambassador. Cate has recently revealed in an interview that she loves to recycle her outfits, re-wearing looks that she has rocked in the past. Her beauty routine also involves regularly getting ready in the car, train, or tube.

Dennis Quaid As Jerry Lee Lewis In Great Balls of Fire

Dennis Quaid was the star of 1989 biographical film, Great Balls Of Fire. He played Jerry Lee Lewis, a rockabilly pioneer. The film depicted Jerry’s early rock and roll career highlighting his marriage to his teen cousin that was the major cause of his disgrace.

Dennis Quaid has enjoyed his acting career for ages, mostly taking up comedic and dramatic roles. After speculating about Quaid’s love life for quite a while, we can now confirm that he is dating Laura Savoie. His girlfriend is a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas.

O'Shea Jackson Jr. As Ice Cube In Straight Outta Compton

It’s not all the time that we get to see a son playing his father in movies. O’Shea Jackson Jr. got to play his dad on Straight Outta Compton, an informative and entertaining biopic about the rise and fall of N.W.A, a gangsta rap group.

O’Shea, whose stage name is OMG, is rapper Ice Cube’s firstborn son. The famous father of a 2-year-old daughter Jordan is a rapper and actor who has landed many more roles. Jackson now wants to create his own anime and also pursue video game movies.

Woody Harrelson As Larry Flynt In The People vs. Larry Flynt

The year 1996 was an interesting period for Woody Harrelson. He got to play Larry Flynt in a biographical drama film The People vs. Larry Flynt. The production journals the life of Larry Flynt, publisher, and editor of adult entertainment magazines and videos.

Woody Harrelson teamed up with PETA in May 2019 to ask Texas governor to ban a wild hog catch event. He wrote a letter explaining that the event was violating animal rights/cruelty laws. Amusingly, in the same month, New York police used Woody’s photo to apprehend an alleged beer thief.

Al Pacino As Jack Kevorkian In You Don't Know Jack

Al Pacino beautifully executed the role of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, also known as Dr. Death in an HBO film, You Don’t Know Jack. Doctor Kevorkian, a former pathologist, shocked the world when he performed his first assisted suicide in 1990.

Al Pacino has been in the business of acting and filmmaking for over five decades, receiving multiple honors and accolades. It looks like he is not retiring anytime soon. Pacino has a leading role in an upcoming American drama web TV series The Hunt set to debut on Amazon Video.

Jack Black As Bernie Tiede In Bernie

Jack Black starred in Bernie, a dark comedy released in 2011. The film was based on the chronicles of the murder of Marjorie Nugent, who was an 80-year-old millionaire by Bernie Tiede, her 39-year-old partner in 1996.  He shot her and kept her dead body in a freezer.

Jack Black, a musician, comedian, and actor decided to become a YouTuber after his pitch for Post Apocalypto was rejected by Netflix, HBO, and Amazon. From a young boy who was struggling with cocaine addiction, we commend Black for coming a long way to enjoy an extensive, successful career in different fields.

John Hurt As Joseph Merrick In The Elephant Man

John Hurt was cast to play a heavily disfigured man named Joseph Merrick in the movie, The Elephant Man. Merrick suffered years of ridicule from the public who viewed him as a freak. Joseph was later rescued by a Victoria surgeon, Dr. Fredric Treves.

John Hurt, who was regarded as one of Britain’s best actors, died at the age of 77 on  January  25, 2017. Hurt had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years earlier. He had been the patron of Ethiopia’s Project Harar, a charitable institution caring for kids with facial disfigurements. 

Halle Berry As Dorothy Dandridge In Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge is a biopic of an African-American actress, singer, and dancer called Dorothy Dandridge. Her legacy was brought to life on the screen by actress Halley Berry who also doubled up as the executive producer. “Right woman. Right place. Wrong time” was the tagline used to market the film.

Halle Berry, the only African-American woman to have won an Academy Award for Best Actress so far, has been gracing our screens for years. She was at the front row promoting 5B, a documentary on the 1st HIV ward. Berry was moved by the documentary to a point of becoming its ambassador.

Bill Hader As Andy Warhol In Men In Black 3

Bill Harder got the opportunity to portray pop star Andy Warhol in the film, Men in Black 3. Harder worked with Josh Brolin and Will Smith in the filming of the 3rd installment of the sci-fi movie on their quest to save the world.

Bill, who is a multi-talented director, producer, writer, comedian, and actor, has never gone to college but loves reading all types of materials and publications.  He also co-created Barry, a dark tragic comedy TV series that has been renewed for a 3rd season on HBO in April 2019.

Drew Barrymore As Little Edie In Grey Gardens

Little Edie’ or Edith Bouvier was the role that Drew Barrymore played in Grey Gardens, a biographical drama film. It followed the lives of Edith and her mum Edith Ewing Bouvier showcasing different dates and events in their lives.

A model, entrepreneur, author, director, producer, and actress, Drew Barrymore released her first autobiography when she was just 16. Barrymore confessed to trying Emscuplt, an electromagnetic, non-invasive, FDA-approved procedure to heal her abs post childbirth. This also gave her the confidence to go back to her workout sessions after struggling with the shape of her body.

Hannah Taylor-Gordon As Anne Frank In Anne Frank

Hannah Taylor-Gordon’s performance on Ann Frank was not something we would forget anytime in the near future. She embraced the icon’s journey excellently as the film covered events from Ann’s diary. The film was to celebrate Ann’s life before her traumatic death.

Hannah Taylor was introduced to the acting world when she was only four years old. After college, Taylor went for training at an acting school in New York City. When she is not reading her lines or working as a casting director, she loves to play tennis or enjoy a horseback ride.

Johnny Depp As Hunter S. Thompson In Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Johnny Depp starred in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a psychedelic satirical black comedy. The storyline was adapted from the novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas authored by Hunter S. Thompson. It followed the journey of Depp's character and that of his co-star Benicio del Toro as they explored Las Vegas.

Johnny Depp rose to fame in the '80s, thanks to the TV series 21 Jump Street and continued to become one of the biggest movie stars out there. In June 2019, he signed with Global Artist Management while going through lawsuit settlement against his former wife Amber for defamation.

Nicole Kidman As Grace Kelly In Grace Of Monaco

Actress Nicole Kidman played the role Grace Kelly in the 2014 biographical film Grace of Monaco. The film focused on Kelly’s marriage troubles and identity issues at the time when Charles De Gaulle and Prince Rainier III of Monaco had a political dispute in the 1960s.

The film didn't receive the best critical reception at the Cannes Film Festival but it won a Primetime Emmy nomination as an Outstanding Television Movie. Additionally, Kidman earned a Screen Actor Guild Award nomination recognizing her for her Outstanding Performance. At 51, Kidman looks in every bit as youthful as always and she isn't about to put her retirement plan into effect.

Jason Scott Lee As Bruce Lee In Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Jason Scott's first leading and breakthrough role was in the 1993 biopic drama Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story as Bruce Lee. The movie tells the story of the famous actor, martial artist/instructor, and philosopher Bruce Lee. To deliver his role, Lee trained tirelessly in the art of Jeet Kune Do that Bruce Lee popularized.

Scott doesn't share any DNA with the martial arts legend, but he's definitely the star's lookalike. He has also appeared in other films like The King and I and The Jungle Book. His most recent TV performance was in the 2016 martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny. Lee is also a certified Jeet Kune Do trainer. 

Hilary Swank As Amelia Earhart In Amelia

Actress and film producer Hilary Swank portrayed the role of aviation pioneer and author Amelia Earhart in the 2009 biopic movie Amelia. Swank also co-produced the film in collaboration with 2S Films which she and producer Molly Smith had established.  The film received a predominantly negative response.

Swank has also appeared in other successful productions, including the sports drama Million Dollar Baby that won her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in 2004. Swank was previously engaged to financial advisor Ruben Torres before tying the knot with businessman Philip Schneider in August 2018.

Ed Harris As Jackson Pollock In Pollock

Actor Ed Harris starred in the 2000 drama Pollock as artist Jackson Pollock, a film that also marked his directorial debut. For his exemplary performance, Harris won his first ever Academy Award honoring him as the Best Actor. In preparation for the role, Harris established a small studio at his house in Malibu so that he could mimic Pollock’s drip technique.

Harris is a California Institute of the Arts alumni with an estimated net worth of $20 million. He currently appears as the Man in Black in the sci-fi series Westworld that's been running since 2016. His role on the show won him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Will Smith as Muhammad Ali in Ali

Will Smith had to do a lot of exercise in order to go from the skinny Fresh Prince of Bel Air to the muscled and strong Muhammad Ali in the movie Ali. Smith’s transformation wasn’t only physical; he studied for months and had long conversations with Ali himself in order to better adapt his style to his role.

Smith’s efforts were widely lauded and he received an Academy Award nomination for his performance. He and the boxing legend developed a friendship that lasted until Ali’s death in 2016. Smith’s project in 2019, in which he plays the Genie, is the live-action movie, Aladdin.

Jim Carrey As Andy Kaufman In Man On The Moon

For portraying comedian, Andy Kaufman in the 1999 comedy film Man on the Moon, comedian, and impressionist Jim Carrey received critical praise for putting up a great show. The role also earned him his second Golden Globe. Additionally, Carrey also received recognition from the Screen Actors Guild Award with the best actor nomination.  

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone star opened up about suffering from depression in 2017 and how he had stopped taking stimulants or antidepressants.  True to that, Carrey has bounced back and since 2018, he's been playing the role of Jeff Piccirillo in the comedy-drama Kidding and he's set to appear in 2020 comedy film, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Daniel Brühl As Niki Lauda In Rush

Daniel Brühl received accolades for his great performance in the 2013 biographical movie Rush where he played Niki Lauda, a former Formula One driver.  He starred alongside actor Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and the two duked it out, leading to the infamous Hunt–Lauda rivalry.

The film was a huge success and Brühl garnered several award nominations. It won a Golden Globe Award and the Critic's Choice Award celebrated for Best Supporting Actor as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award. Brühl is happily married to former model and psychologist, Felicitas Rombold.

Tom Hardy As Al Capone In Fonzo

Tom Hardy is set to perform in the upcoming 2019 biopic crime movie Fonzo as Al Capone, the infamous notorious and dangerous criminal. The story centers on Al Capone’ battling with dementia after serving 11 years in Federal prison. Also known as Scarface, Al Capone famously rose to the ranks of the chief of the Chicago Outfit before his imprisonment for tax evasion.

Besides acting, Hardy has also created and co-produced productions like the 2017 drama series, Taboo. Hardy is also set to star in yet another biopic about professional photographer McCullin titled, Unreasonable Behavior. 

Rob Lowe As President John F. Kennedy In Killing Kennedy

In 2013, actor Rob Lowe portrayed John F. Kennedy in the film, Killing Kennedy. The story is based on the 2012 non-fiction documentary with a similar title written by journalist Bill O'Reilly and author Martin Dugard. It centers on Kennedy’s presidency and assassination as well as Lee Harvey Oswald’ life before the assassination.

In 2017, the two-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner starred in the TV show, The Lowe Files. In 2018, Lowe directed the film The Bad Seed which marked his debut as a director. Throughout his career, Lowe has built a $60-million fortune and continues to earn more money with his ongoing projects.

Steve Carell As John Du Pont In Foxcatcher

In 2014, actor Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum starred in Foxcatcher. Carrell portrayed millionaire John Eleuthère du Pont, who was also a convicted murderer, in the crime drama. The film received critical acclaim and earned Carell a Golden Globe nomination and an  Academy Award under the Best Actor category.

In 2016, Carell added another star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which was the 2,570th star. He is set to appear in the comedy-drama Top of the Morning in 2019 alongside actress Jennifer Aniston. Carell owns several opulent homes, including his lavish 5-bedroom mansion in Los Angeles.