When Hollywood actors have gone for prestige and critical, they often turn to playing real historical figures. Not only do they provide real drama to prop up the events depicted in the screenplay, but they allow the actor to take on a physical transformation, becoming that historical figure. More often than not, that physical transformation brings the actor VERY close to the appearance of that actual icon. Thanks to entire costume, hair, and makeup departments, actors can channel the appearance of the figures in an uncanny fashion. In this gallery are dozens of examples of stars losing themselves to take on the roles of historical figures. Eddie Redmayne And Felicity Jones As Stephen Hawking With His Wife Jane Wilde In The Theory Of Everything (2014) Redmayne got critical acclaim for portraying the lauded scientist in the biopic focusing on Hawking’s earlier years. Jamie Foxx As Ray Charles In Ray (2004) Jamie Foxx made the leap to A-list playing the recently-deceased soul singer from his southern upbringing through his later years. Robert Downey Jr. As Charlie Chaplin In Chaplin (1992) Even as his personal life was in shambles, Robert Downey Jr. was able to turn in historically good performance as the famed silent film actor. Ben Kingsley As Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi In Gandhi (1982) Ben Kingsley won an Oscar as he assumed an Indian identity to play noted pacifist Ghandi. Val Kilmer As Jim Morrison In The Doors (1991) Oliver Stone saw an uncanny likeness between Val Kilmer and Jim Morrison. Kilmer jumped at the role and channeled the poetic rocker in The Doors. Cate Blanchett As Bob Dylan In I’m Not There (2007) While the film featured a number of lauded actors playing Bob Dylan, it was Cate Blanchett’s performance as the male rock star that earned the best reviews. Daniel Day‑Lewis As Abraham Lincoln In Lincoln (2012) Steven Spielberg’s presidential biopic got a huge boost when it got Daniel Day-Lewis, arguably the greatest actor of his generation, to take on the bizarre mannerisms of the legendary leader. Meryl Streep As Margaret Thatcher In The Iron Lady (2011) There was no question that Streep was due to a nomination as she shed her American accent for a British one in this political biopic. Charlize Theron As Aileen Wuornos In Monster (2003) Sometimes, it’s the biopic that makes the historical figure famous instead of the other way around. Such was the case when Charlize Theron played the female serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Helen Mirren As HM Queen Elizabeth II In The Queen (2007) There are few loftier roles to take on than that of the Queen of England, but if there was any actress that would do justice to the part, it’s Dame Helen Mirren. Gary Oldman As Ludwig Van Beethoven In Immortal Beloved (1994) Gary Oldman’s known for completely immersing himself in roles to the point he’s unrecognizable, and this was no exception. Bruno Ganz As Adolf Hitler In Downfall (2004) Ganz starred in the German-language production of the notorious dictator’s last days and did an eerie job of channeling Hitler’s mannerisms. Salma Hayek As Frida Kahlo In Frida (2002) Salma Hayek played against type, donning the famous unibrow to play the Mexican artist. Ashton Kutcher As Steve Jobs In Jobs (2013) While many had questions about Kutcher’s acting chops to pull of the role, few doubted his ability to resemble the Apple icon. Kirk Douglas As Vincent Van Gogh In Lust For Life (1956) Kirk Douglas did such a good job of embodying the troubled painter that he even resembled PAINTINGS of Van Gogh. Marion Cotillard As Édith Piaf In La Vie En Rose (2007) Cotillard got international recognition for her ability to channel the likeness and the spirit of the French cabaret singer Edith Piaf. Adrien Brody As Salvador Dali In Midnight In Paris (2011) Adrian Brody, directed by Woody Allen, has no problem resembling the surrealist painter in this ensemble film. Anthony Hopkins As Alfred Hitchcock In Hitchcock (2012) Hitchcock’s famed droopy-eyed stare was taken and run with by Anthony Hopkins, who’s proven time and again that he can take on most any role thrown his way. André 3000 As Jimi Hendrix In Jimi: All Is By My Side (2013) Few people saw this biopic because the film couldn’t actually get the rights to Jimi’s music, which is a shame, because Andre 3000’s turn as the rocker was transcendent. Gary Oldman And Chloe Webb As Sid Vicious And His Girlfriend Nancy Spungen In Sid And Nancy (1986) Before Gary Oldman played Mozart, he went way in the other direction, playing doomed the doomed Sex Pistols bassist. Denzel Washington As Malcolm X In Malcolm X (1992) Before he became one of the most famous actors of his generation, Denzel took direction from Spike Lee playing the controversial civil rights leader. Hannah Taylor-Gordon As Anne Frank In Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001) Taylor-Gordon didn’t become a household name like many of the other actors on this list, but she did an incredible job nonetheless of channeling the Holocaust victim. Morgan Freeman As Nelson Mandela In Invictus (2009) Given their physical resemblance, I’m sure that Morgan Freeman was a no-brainer to take on this role. Stephen Fry As Oscar Wilde In Wilde (1997) In addition to taking on Wilde’s appearance, Fry also did an amazing job of channeling Wilde’s razor-sharp personality in Wilde. Anthony Hopkins As Pablo Picasso In Surviving Picasso (1996) He played Alfred Hitchcock, and well before that, he took on the role of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso in Surviving Picasso. Geoffrey Rush As Peter Sellers In The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers (2004) Geoffrey Rush has made a career out of playing historical figures, but Hollywood perhaps gave him the most recognition for his turn as fellow actor Peter Sellers in this HBO film. James Franco As James Dean In James Dean (2001) Well before he took on millions of high-concept art projects, James Franco played the gone-before-his-time actor James Dean in very convincing fashion. Sean Penn As Harvey Milk In Milk (2008) Not only did Sean Penn do an amazing job of portraying the San Francisco politician, but he worked hard to share his story of fhte screen as well so that people would embrace Milk’s legacy. Hilary Swank As Amelia Earhart In Amelia (2009) Hilary Swank took a big chance in playing the disappeared aviatrix in Amelia, but the risk paid off, and not only did she nail the part, but she got to be one of the first people to portray her.
