Here’s How These Iconic Heroines Have Evolved Over The Decades

It’s hard to go to the movies today without a choice of franchise, reboot, remake, sequel or prequels to whet your appetite. It’s inevitable, then, that some major characters will start to look a little different as they leap from one decade to the next or from big screen to small. But the following iconic heroines look so different now that we bet you won’t even recognize them! So, from Princess Leia to Catwoman, join us as we explore how these bad-ass female leads have evolved over the years.

39. Clarice Starling

FBI Academy student Clarice Starling was made famous by Jodie Foster in the 1991 adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel: The Silence Of The Lambs. Though she wouldn’t end up reprising the role. Ten years later Julianne Moore took on the part in Hannibal – the movie’s sequel. Most recently, Australian actress Rebecca Breeds played Agent Starling in the CBS series called Clarice.

38. Cleopatra

Cleopatra is, of course, an icon of history – not just movies. It’s little surprise, then, that the list of actresses who have portrayed her is longer than your arm! For not only has she been the central character, the figure has also had a supporting role in other stories depicting that period of Egyptian history. Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor are among the most famous stars to portray her. The earliest is thought to have been Helen Gardner in 1912 and most recently Lyndsey Marshal and Alessandra Negrini in 2007. Phew!

37. Lisbeth Salander

If the name Lisbeth Salander doesn’t ring any bells, then maybe you’ll have heard of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? The character has been played by several women through adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series of novels. In the original trilogy, Noomi Rapace took on the role of this misfit computer hacker. Later incarnations were then played by Claire Foy and Oscar-winner Rooney Mara.

36. Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I’s life reads like a plot from a Hollywood movie in itself. So, it’s hardly a surprise that the British monarch’s story – along with that of her half-sister, Mary – has informed so many scripts for screens big and small. The roll call of actresses to have played the character is impressive, too. How about Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchette, Helen Mirren and Margot Robbie just for starters?

35. Esther Hoffman Howard

If you’re unfamiliar with the name Esther Hoffman Howard, then maybe you’ll recognise Ally Maine? They are actually both the same character in various tellings of the romantic drama: A Star is Born. The role was first played by Janet Gaynor in 1937, and Judy Garland then portrayed the singer in a 1954 musical remake. Barbara Streisand transformed into Howard in 1976, while Lady Gaga played the now-named Ally Maine in 2018.

34. Lois Lane

Lois Lane may be a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, but she apparently struggles to recognize a co-worker when he removes his glasses. And it’s particularly baffling since – specs off – it’s her love interest: Superman! Among the actresses to have played her are Margot Kidder in the run of Superman films in the 1970s and ’80s. Then there’s Teri Hatcher in the 1990s’ Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Amy Adams in DC’s stable.

33. Irene Adler

Sure, the name isn’t as recognizable as Sherlock Holmes, and Irene Adler is actually barely mentioned in the Arthur Conan Doyle novels. But the character has evolved into a key player in the franchise. Though several actresses took on the role before her, Larisa Solovyova was perhaps the first notable incarnation in 1983. Many more have since played the character – including Rachel McAdams and Natalie Dormer most recently.

32. The Witches

The central character to Roald Dahl’s book The Witches goes by the name of Eva Ernst. Yet most of us know her as the Grand High Witch. There have been opera and radio-drama adaptations of the novel, but it has been made into a movie only twice. Anjelica Houston brought the witchy vibes in 1990, and Anne Hathaway took on the role 30 years later.

31. Wanda Maximoff

It’s Wanda Maximoff to her mom, but she’s Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the rest of us. Her magical powers first appeared on the Avengers: Age Of Ultron outing, but the heroine eventually proved popular enough to score her own WandaVision series. Fans have been treated to a full development of the character, too. She’s gone from villain, to Marvel superhero, right through to sassy suburban housewife with a sharp sense of humor.

30. Miss Moneypenny

The role of Miss Moneypenny is almost as enduring as the Bond franchise itself. She first appeared on screen in 1962’s Dr. No and was played by Lois Maxwell. Moneypenny would return to the role over a dozen times up until 1985’s A View To A Kill. Naomie Harris took over the part in Skyfall 27 years later and in 2015’s Spectre. The star will also appear in the next instalment: No Time To Die.

29. April O’Neil

It’s not just the face that’s changed for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ April O’Neil; her job has, too! Starting out as a computer programmer in the 1984 comics, she was a news reporter in the animation three years later. In the movies, the character has been played in turn by Judith Hoag and Paige Turco. Most recently, Megan Fox was cast to play her.

28. Captain Marvel

Although the Carol Danvers character first appeared in Marvel Comics back in 1968, she is a newcomer to the big screen. Most may know her better as Captain Marvel – as played by Brie Larson in the MCU. In her relatively limited screen time to date, she has nevertheless undergone a huge transformation. Yep, the character has evolved from a lost pilot struggling to recall who she is to one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel Universe.

27. Jo March

When Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women, she apparently based the central character, Jo March, largely on herself. She is a feisty tomboy who gives up everything – including her writing and fierce independence – to marry the man she eventually falls in love with. On screen she has been played by Katharine Hepburn, Winona Ryder, and Saoirse Ronan.

26. Joan of Arc

As a key figure in liberating France from English rule during the Hundred Years War, Joan of Arc is among the standout heroines in history – not just cinema. It stands to reason, then, that there have been numerous retellings of her story. And some dating back more than 100 years! Perhaps the most recognizable actresses to play the teenaged warrior were Ingrid Bergman in 1948 and Milla Jovovich half a century later.

25. Supergirl

Young girls in the 1980s had their very own heroine to look up to: Supergirl. In the 1984 movie, Kara Zor-El – from Krypton and the cousin of Superman – has powers all of her own. Back then, she and her alter ego were played by Helen Slater. Today, Slater plays Eliza Danvers – Kara’s Earth foster mom – with Melissa Benoist as the title character in the TV reboot.

24. Cruella De Vil

Okay, she’s a villain and not a heroine. But Cruella De Vil is a true female icon of cinema nonetheless. She first appeared in the 1956 Dodie Smith novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians – followed by the animated Disney adaptation five years later. Glenn Close was the first actress to bring the pampered heiress to life in 1996. And now Emma Stone has shed light on the fur-loving antagonist’s backstory in 2021’s Cruella.

23. Wonder Woman

The first celluloid interpretations of Wonder Woman were not well received. That seems hard to believe for such an iconic and enduring character, right? It took Lynda Carter’s five-year tenure as Diana Prince to really resonate with the TV-viewing public in the mid-1970s. Though younger audiences may recognize Gal Gadot as the Amazonian princess.

22. Selene

Folklore suggests that vampires are immortal and never get older. Doing her best to uphold the second of those traits is Kate Beckinsale. She has played Selene – the central vampiric character of the Underworld franchise – since 2003. To be fair, Beckinsale hasn’t changed much in its four successive releases since then. Though whether she will reprise the role for a rumored sixth instalment is still up for debate.

21. Princess Diana

During her tragically short life, Princess Diana was one of the most photographed women on the planet. It perhaps follows, then, that so many interpretations of her life have made it to screens big and small. Among the first to take on the role was Catherine Oxenberg, who previously played Amanda Carrington in the soap Dynasty. Since then, Naomi Watts and Emma Corrin have most famously portrayed the princess’ life.

20. Carrie White

In 1974 horror writer Stephen King wrote the book Carrie, which is about a teenager bullied by her high school peers. The novel then ended up being so successful it got the Hollywood treatment just two years later. The central character was played by Sissy Spacek, who was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal. And in a 2013 remake, Chloë Grace Moretz harnessed the titular character’s telekinetic powers to get revenge on her antagonists.

19. Alice In Wonderland

Having been translated into more than 170 languages, it’s fair to say that Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland is among literature’s most popular works. It’s unsurprising, then, that more than 40 adaptations have been counted across various formats. Among those to play Alice are Charlotte Henry, Vivian Pickles, Natalie Lynn Gregory, Tina Marie Majorino and Mia Wasikowska.

18. Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet is the central character in Jane Austen’s 1813 novel: Pride And Prejudice. Her story of wishing to marry for love rather than convenience – a rarity in those days – has provided romantic fodder for numerous screen adaptations over the years. Greer Garson was the first to tackle the role in 1940. Most recently, though, she has been portrayed by Keira Knightly.

17. Aunt May

May Parker might only be a supporting role, but she is a highly influential one nonetheless. For it is she who took in her nephew Peter Parker after his parents were presumed to have been killed in a plane crash. As played at various times by Rosemary Harris, Sally Field and Marisa Tomei, she was a huge influence on the devastated Peter. The latter is, of course, the guy who spends his out-of-college hours fighting crime as Spider-Man.

16. Mystique

In the original X-Men trilogy, Mystique was played by Rebecca Romijn. But when Jennifer Lawrence took over the role in the 2011 prequel, we learned a dark secret about the mutant. She defected to the bad guys and – in a botched assassination attempt – inadvertently alerted the world to the mutants’ existence. Oopsies. But after living rogue for a while, she eventually returns to her rightful place as an X-Men lieutenant.

15. Wicked Witch of the West

Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard Of Oz was likely to have given kids nightmares in 1939. The character was completely reimagined in 2013, though. Mila Kunis played Theodora in Oz The Great And Powerful. In the movie, she wants peace in Oz but is tricked into eating a cursed apple by her sister – turning her into the Wicked Witch of the West.

14. Catwoman

It’s fair to say Batman has his fair share of antagonists. And among them is the femme fatale: Catwoman. But the character is as alluring to the masked crusader as she is revulsive. Among the more notable portrayals of secret seductress Selina Kyle are Michelle Pfeifer in 1992’s Batman Returns, Halle Berry in the 2004 eponymous movie and by Anne Hathaway in 2012’s Dark Knight Rises.

13. Margaret Thatcher

Not only was Margaret Thatcher the first female Prime Minister of the U.K., she was also the longest-serving British leader in the 20th century. Though she was a highly divisive figure, those achievements in themselves have warranted many portrayals. The actresses to have played the role include Meryl Streep in 2011’s The Iron Lady and Gillian Anderson in season four of The Crown.

12. Laurie Strode

Halloween stands as one of the most iconic and terrifying horror franchises in cinematic history. But did you know that – not counting director Rob Zombie’s remake in 2007 – Laurie Strode has always been played by Jamie Lee Curtis? Apparently, the actress will reprise the role right up until Halloween Ends, which is due for release in 2022.

11. Batgirl

Batgirl is, of course, a Gotham City vigilante who operates alongside Batman and his sidekick Robin. After an introduction to the comic book world in 1961, she didn’t wait long for an onscreen representation. Yvonne Joyce was the first to take up the mantle in season three of the Batman TV series in 1967. Thirty years later Alicia Silverstone took on the role in the Batman & Robin movie.

10. Mary Poppins

Julie Andrews won an Oscar for her portrayal of the loveable nanny in the Disney classic Mary Poppins in 1964. Though when the opportunity to cameo in the sequel arose – with Emily Blunt playing the lead – Andrews turned it down. In an interview with Variety magazine, director Rob Marshall revealed, “She said, ‘This is [Blunt’s] show, and I want her to run with this... This is hers. I don’t want to be on top of that.’”

9. Marge Gunderson

Frances McDormand played the beloved Marge Gunderson in the Coen brothers’ black comedy Fargo in 1996. The actress won an Oscar for her portrayal of the heavily pregnant Chief of Police in Brainerd, Minnesota. It’s little surprise that the character was later revived for a 2003 TV movie – this time played by Edie Falco. But a new series arrived in 2014 with Gunderson nowhere in sight, and it focused instead on new characters and plots.

8. Nyota Uhura

Not only is Nyota Uhura among the most recognizable female characters in sci-fi, but she is also among the first black characters in a standout U.S. televisual role. She is a crew member of the U.S.S. Enterprise, who was originally played by Nichelle Nichols on the original Star Trek TV series and the first six movie adaptations. For her part, Zoe Saldana has played the character since 2009.

7. Lara Croft

For several decades, Hollywood has flirted with the video game world with mixed results. And one of the more identifiable characters to cross mediums is Lara Croft. She was originally portrayed by Angelina Jolie in 2001’s Tomb Raider – followed by The Cradle of Life two years later. In 2018, though, it was Alicia Vikander who reprised the role in a reboot.

6. Sarah Connor

The role of Sarah Connor in the Terminator franchise has been tackled by several women through the decades. Younger fans may know Emilia Clarke from the Terminator: Genisys movie. Meanwhile, the more die-hard fans can cite Lena Headey from the short-lived Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series. Most, though, were thrilled when Linda Hamilton reprised the role in 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate – 35 years after first portraying the damsel-turned-warrior.

5. Buffy

It’s thought that the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer wasn’t in line with co-writer Joss Whedon’s vision. So, instead he created the series, which is believed by some critics to have thrust TV into a new golden age. Kirsty Swanson’s original incarnation could only muster a 36 percent approval on fan-rating website Rotten Tomatoes, while Sarah Michelle Gellar’s take influenced a generation.

4. Hermione Granger

Emma Watson was just 11 years old when she set her heart on playing Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter movie series. It’s little surprise, then, that her appearance changed a lot during the franchise’s decade-long run at the box office. What never changed was the character’s fierce intellect and her unwavering commitment to both her friends and getting those magical jobs done.

3. Natasha Romanoff

The modest-looking red-head Natasha Romanoff first appeared in Marvel’s Iron Man 2 as a legal representative from S.H.I.E.L.D. What Tony Stark hadn’t counted on was that she’s a trained assassin known to her Avengers comrades as Black Widow. A decade after Scarlett Johansson’s debut as the character, MCU fans finally learned the truth about Romanoff’s mysterious past in a standalone movie.

2. Ellen Ripley

Ellen Ripley is the horror heroine who almost never was. You see, it was due to a decision early in production of 1976’s Alien that saw the character switch from a male protagonist to female. Sigourney Weaver deftly took up the challenge and reprised the role in three further sequels up until Alien Resurrection in 1997. Meanwhile, a proposed fifth instalment in 2015 failed to ever materialize.

1. Leia Organa

Carrie Fisher took on one of cinema’s most iconic heroines when she was just 19 years old. According to her biographer Sheila Weller, the actress had some reservations about that gold bikini. Fisher said, “It was like signing an invisible contract to stay looking the exact same way for the next 30 to 40 years.” She didn’t, of course, but Star Wars fans were nevertheless thrilled about General Leia Organa’s return nearly 40 years after the princess’ debut. It's all very well looking at how iconic characters have evolved. But what about if an actor is playing a real person? Let’s see how they compare then.

40. Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla-Perez in Selena

Who better to portray a huge music star than another huge music star? And Jennifer Lopez so perfectly captured Selena Quintanilla-Perez in 1997 biopic Selena that she earned a nod at the Golden Globes. “It was about portraying her as best I could, to where people weren’t thinking of anybody but her when they were watching,” Lopez told Billboard in 2015. Job done!

39. Emma Stone as Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes

Emma Stone did more than just put on some glasses and get a haircut to become tennis great Billie Jean King. The actor also hit the gym ahead of her role in Battle of the Sexes and gained 15 pounds of muscle. After that, we’d have backed Stone to give the real Bobby Riggs a run for his money!

38. O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube in Straight Outta Compton

Normally, the actors involved in biopics don’t have direct ties to the people they’re playing. But that wasn’t the case with Straight Outta Compton! Why? Because O’Shea Jackson Jr. was picked to portray his dad, Ice Cube. And it was a great choice: they’re nigh-on identical.

37. Emile Hirsch as Chris McCandless in Into the Wild

Never let it be said that Emile Hirsch hasn’t suffered for his art. To bring the story of Chris McCandless to life for Into the Wild, Hirsch lost an insane 41 pounds to look just like him. The actor also got up close and personal with a grizzly bear and tackled a freezing river in the nude. Luckily for Hirsch, the movie turned out pretty good!

36. Kirk Douglas as Vincent van Gogh in Lust for Life

Even though there aren’t any polaroids of Vincent van Gogh, his self-portraits are enough to give us an idea of what he looked like. So, with those images to work from, the team behind van Gogh biopic Lust for Life crafted the great man’s doppelgänger with Kirk Douglas. The actor learned how to paint for the role, too!

35. Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster

To say that Charlize Theron looks different in 2003’s Monster would be a huge understatement. Yes, she put on some pounds and underwent a lot of work in the make-up chair to become the notorious murderer Aileen Wuornos. For that reason, it’s somewhat surprising that Theron was the only person to walk away with an Academy Award. The cosmetics team at least deserved a nomination!

34. Andra Day as Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Incredibly, Andra Day had never been a lead prior to The United States vs. Billie Holiday, where she uncannily depicted the titular music star. But as the actress said at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, “I didn’t want to do this when it was first brought to my attention – because I love Billie Holiday. I was nervous, I was terrified. I said ‘no’ multiple times.” Thank goodness Day changed her mind!

33. Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in Black Mass

Let’s be honest – Johnny Depp looks nothing like Whitey Bulger in real life. It’s not even close! Yet you’d never know it in Black Mass, as Depp takes on the role of the notorious gangster in his biopic. There’s no sign of Captain Jack Sparrow here, folks.

32. Robert Downey Jr. as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a thing, Robert Downey Jr. was arguably best known for his performance in 1992’s Chaplin. The film details the iconic eponymous star’s life, with Downey Jr. taking on the part. The future Iron Man certainly had Chaplin’s appearance nailed down, while his efforts also earned him an Oscar nomination.

31. Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie

Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy was quite the sight to behold in 2016’s Jackie. Mind you, while she had the look down to a tee, other aspects required a lot of work. Portman told People, “Her voice and her accent and her movements are very, very specific. I was reading everything I could find. I was really learning exactly the way she [spoke], with the pauses and the breaths in the same places.”

30. Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in The Doors

It’s probably fair to say that Val Kilmer is the standout from Oliver Stone’s The Doors. The actor convincingly plays Jim Morrison in the titular band’s biopic. In fact, there are times when you question if you’re actually looking at Kilmer and not the real thing. From the hair to the costumes, he’s the spitting image of Morrison.

29. Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo in Frida

Frida Kahlo had quite a unique appearance, so it’s hard to imagine an actress like Salma Hayek playing her. But she did just that in the maestro’s titular biopic, with the make-up department doing a tremendous job of transforming Hayek. The resemblance really was uncanny – earning the film a Best Makeup Oscar.

28. Beyoncé as Etta James in Cadillac Records

It turns out that Beyoncé didn’t just transform her appearance to perfectly mirror Etta James for 2008’s Cadillac Records. She told The New York Times, “The music I made before and after the movie were very different. I was a lot more bold and fearless after I played Etta James, because of course some of the character stays with you.”

27. Ben Kingsley as Mohandas Gandhi in Gandhi

It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing Mohandas Gandhi after Ben Kingsley’s legendary performance in the 1982 eponymous biopic. The pair were practically identical – they could’ve been twins! Anyway, Kingsley won the Best Actor gong at the 1983 Oscars for his efforts, while the movie was named Best Picture. Well deserved.

26. Emma Corrin as Princess Diana in The Crown

From the hair to the facial features, Emma Corrin absolutely nailed Princess Diana’s physical appearance in hit Netflix television series The Crown. Her acting wasn’t too bad, either! Yes, Corrin took home the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama gong at the 2021 Golden Globes for her portrayal.

25. Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett in The Runaways

Kristen Stewart really did go above and beyond when she joined the cast of The Runaways as Joan Jett. She looked the part and was able to emulate Jett’s dulcet tones as well. Stewart informed Rolling Stone that she spoke with the legendary musician beforehand and even received some of her tape-recorded letters.

24. Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in Invictus

Given Nelson Mandela’s reputation and stature, we can only imagine how intimidating it must’ve been to play the guy in 2009’s Invictus. Then again, if any actor could handle the weight, it’s Morgan Freeman. He was uncanny in that movie, which detailed the historical importance of South Africa’s performance at the Rugby World Cup tournament in 1995.

23. Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Sharon Tate’s story is incredibly tragic, but thanks to Quentin Tarantino and Margot Robbie, film fans saw another side of her in 2019. Robbie channeled the late actress to perfection in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. And you couldn’t argue with the resemblance – it’s like looking at a mirror image!

22. Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe imitations have been a dime a dozen throughout the years. In Michelle Williams’ case, though, she blew all of those away thanks to her portrayal of the icon in My Week with Marilyn. Not only did she embody Monroe like no one else before, but Williams was a spitting image of her, too.

21. Taron Egerton as Elton John in Rocketman

Taron Egerton’s transformation into Elton John for Rocketman was unbelievable. Props to the make-up department! Egerton looked uncanny in front of the cameras. It wasn’t a simple role, though. He informed People, “It was just such a great acting challenge, because he has three or four versions of who he is in the first half of his life.”

20. Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray

To say that Jamie Foxx went all in when he played Ray Charles in the latter’s biopic would be underselling it. According to BuzzFeed, the actor dropped around 35 pounds in weight, learned how to read braille and obscured his sight for hours at a time. It paid off in the end, as Foxx won the Best Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Oscar in 2005.

19. Ross Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer in My Friend Dahmer

On-screen depictions of real-life murderers are tough to get right, yet Ross Lynch definitely nailed his portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer. In fact, the resemblance is pretty unsettling throughout My Friend Dahmer. According to All That’s Interesting, Lynch also viewed footage of the guy every day before shooting began to help him find his rhythm.

18. Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford in Feud

Nope, that wasn’t Joan Crawford’s ghost that you saw in the television show Feud. It really was Jessica Lange! The actress proved to be the perfect pick to play her on the small screen, but the make-up department deserves a shout-out as well. BuzzFeed notes they utilized “wet-setting and rollers” to transform Lange – mirroring Crawford’s method from the 1960s.

17. Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami...

Do you know how close we came to missing out on Leslie Odom Jr.’s uncanny portrayal of Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami...? It was tight. He informed Entertainment Weekly, “I didn’t see Sam Cooke in me. I wasn’t inclined to pick up those very large shoes and fail. [But] I gave the script a second look, and I saw beyond that. I saw beyond my fear. I was willing to take the leap.”

16. Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland in Judy

Renée Zellweger and Judy Garland don’t share too many physical similarities in real life. Then again, thanks to some excellent make-up and hard work, you’d never know it in 2019’s Judy. Yes, Zellweger honed her voice to mirror Garland’s dulcet tones throughout the biopic – bagging the Best Actress gong at the Academy Awards for her efforts.

15. Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs in Jobs

Who knew that Ashton Kutcher was Steve Jobs’ doppelgänger? The resemblance between them was hugely surprising when the actor played him in the biopic Jobs. All it took was a change in hairstyle, growing out a beard and donning identical costumes to reach the stunning result. We still can’t believe it!

14. John Goodman as Babe Ruth in The Babe

Babe Ruth is one of the greatest players in baseball history, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that Hollywood eventually made a movie about him in 1992. It was titled The Babe, and John Goodman had the honor of portraying the legend. As per All That’s Interesting, Goodman shed 40 pounds for the part – looking like Ruth’s spitting image in the end.

13. Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Tina Turner is a giant in the world of music. But her status didn’t intimidate Angela Bassett, as the actress threw herself into Turner’s biopic. She delivered an uncanny portrayal of the megastar in 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do with It and received an Oscar nomination.

12. Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman in Harriet

Cynthia Erivo’s stand-out performance as Harriet Tubman turned a few heads in the titular film. Mind you, she claimed to have had some solid help in pulling off the role. As Erivo told ABC News, “There were definitely days that I know it wasn’t just me. It felt like she was there.” Talk about transforming yourself!

11. Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody

During their heyday, few bands could touch Queen. And that was mostly down to lead singer Freddie Mercury. The guy just oozed charisma and boasted a stage presence that few can match. Then again, Rami Malek did his best when playing Mercury in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Thanks to some stunning make-up, Malek became a mirror image of the great man on the big screen.

10. Christian Bale as Dick Cheney in Vice

Vice wasn’t a documentary – that really is Christian Bale portraying Dick Cheney. Unbelievable, right? Thanks to some incredible make-up and prosthetics work, the actor perfectly embodied the famous politician for his biopic. Those efforts were recognized at the 2019 Oscars ceremony, too, as the film picked up the Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling gong.

9. Sean Penn as Harvey Milk in Milk

To help bring Harvey Milk to life on the silver screen, Sean Penn underwent some big changes in the make-up chair. According to All That’s Interesting, he had false teeth fitted alongside a fake nose, a new hairstyle and colored contacts. In the end, Penn looked just like the trailblazing politician.

8. Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady

Trust us, that’s definitely Meryl Streep playing Margaret Thatcher – you’re not looking at the real thing! One of the film’s make-up artists revealed to Vanity Fair how they’d managed to pull off that jaw-dropping transformation for The Iron Lady. Mark Coulier revealed that Streep was fitted with parts of a fake nose, false teeth and other prosthetics.

7. Denzel Washington as Malcolm X in Malcolm X

It’s incredible how much you can resemble someone by making the slightest change to your appearance. Just look at Denzel Washington! By wearing a pair of glasses, he’s the spitting image of Malcolm X. But the actor did more than that while getting ready for the part. According to All That’s Interesting, Washington mirrored his subject by cutting pork products from his diet ahead of the biopic.

6. Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson

American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson was jam-packed with talented actors – all of whom had to depict real figures. But for our money, Sarah Paulson was the stand-out. She portrayed Marcia Clark, who served as the prosecutor against O.J. Simpson during his murder trial. Paulson was a mirror image of Clark on the show, and they both became friends across its shoot.

5. Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac Shakur in All Eyez on Me

All Eyez on Me is a biopic detailing the life of Tupac Shakur – one of the most famous names in rap music. Anyway, Demetrius Shipp Jr. was tasked with playing him in the movie after the director caught sight of a snapshot. As per All That’s Interesting, Benny Boom believed that he was looking at the real Tupac. And we can’t blame him – Shipp Jr. is essentially his doppelgänger!

4. Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour

Yep, Gary Oldman is hiding under all that make-up. But if you just glanced at him quickly, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was the real Winston Churchill. Deadline reported that Oldman spent roughly 200 hours in the cosmetics chair throughout Darkest Hour’s shoot, and the results speak for themselves. Spectacular!

3. Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan in I’m Not There

To say that I’m Not There was a unique project would be quite an understatement. Across its runtime, a sextet of actors portrayed music icon Bob Dylan, with Cate Blanchett standing out for obvious reasons. Incredibly, though, it could be argued that she had the greatest resemblance to Dylan. Blanchett certainly looked the part.

2. Will Smith as Muhammad Ali in Ali

Has there ever been a more charismatic sportsman than Muhammad Ali? We’re not too sure. Anyway, who better to portray a character like that than an actor with his own aura? Yes, Will Smith was perfect for Ali: the biopic from 2001 charting the boxer’s golden years. And Smith earned an Oscar nomination for his efforts.

1. Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln

We wouldn’t put it past Steven Spielberg to jump in a time-machine and film historical figures in their prime, yet that didn’t happen with Lincoln. Honest! That’s definitely Daniel Day-Lewis there. The movie’s make-up team did an unbelievable job transforming him into Abraham Lincoln. Plus, they were able to add visible strain to Day-Lewis’ skin to show the toll being put on the famous president.