Historical Figures Compared to the Celebrities Who Played Them

Imagine being so famous that Hollywood made a movie about you. Well these historical figures were so iconic that casting directors picked actors that closely resembled them to play them in a movie.

But while some actors were practically these people’s clones, others will have you shaking your head in disbelief. Some of these actors were the spitting image of the people they portrayed and others don’t even come close.

Helen Mirren and Catherine the Great

Dame Helen Mirren did a great job playing the role of one of history’s most iconic queens in HBO’s “Catherine the Great.” From the crown to the hair, and from the fierceness in her eyes to her majestic outfits, Mirren was a royal hit.

Zac Efron and Ted Bundy

Zac Efron took fans down a creepy dark path when he took on the role of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy in Netflix’s “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.” Efron mimicked Bundy’s charm, good looks and cold-hearted eyes to the T in the controversial film.

Idris Elba and Nelson Mandela

Idris Elba took on the role of former South African President, Nelson Mandela in the 2013 film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Elba didn’t look exactly like the Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights advocate but his performance did justice to the iconic historical figure.

Emma Stone and Billie Jean King

Emma Stone gained 15 pounds of muscles to play Billie Jean King, a legendary tennis star in the film “Battle of the Sexes.” Stone’s hair, glasses and mannerisms on and off the tennis court made King proud.

The actress also told Marie Claire that “playing Billie Jean was a bit of a game changer.”