Portraying a real-life celebrity on screen is one of the most demanding tasks an actor can take on. These roles come with high expectations, intense public scrutiny, and the challenge of recreating someone already embedded in the public imagination. It takes more than physical resemblance to bring them to life. A successful portrayal requires deep empathy, precise detail, and a clear understanding of what made the figure memorable in the first place.
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Audrey Hepburn in ‘The Audrey Hepburn Story’ (2000)
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Jennifer Love Hewitt portrayed one of the most iconic actresses in this TV biopic that follows Hepburn during the filming of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” while also diving into her parts through flashbacks. Meanwhile, two young Emmy Rossum and Sarah Hyland play the child versions of Hepburn.
Love Hewitt rendition of the star received mostly positive reviews, despite some critics slamming her “lack” of grace. However, some praise the way she nailed the accent and the mannerisms without being an impersonation.
James Franco as Tommy Wiseau in ‘The Disaster Artist’ (2017)
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James Franco not only excelled in the role of Wiseau in this movie, he also co-produced and directed this movie that was one of the Top Films of 2017. It follows the friendship between aspiring actors Tommy Wiseau and Sestero, leading to the making of Wiseau’s 2003 film, “The Room,” which is commonly regarded as one of the worst movies ever.
Franco won his second Golden Globe for the role of Wiseau, as he captures the filmmaker’s absurd and extravagant personality but also infuses it with layers of mystery, emotion, and depth.
Jessica Lange as Frances Farmer in ‘Frances’ (1982)
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Jessica Lange portrayed Frances Farmer, and her performance in the movie garnered universal acclaim and is widely regarded, including by Lange herself, as her best work. She earned an Academy Award nomination for the role.
The movie follows Farmer’s life from her high school days and her relationship with her emotionally abusive mother to her brief stint in the film industry during the 1930s and her institutionalization for alleged mental illness in the 1940s.
Robert Downey, Jr. as Charlie Chaplin in ‘Chaplin’ (1992)
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Certainly, Charlie Chaplin stands out as one of the most iconic actors in history. His unparalleled talent for comedy, writing, acting, producing, directing and, even, composing made him a legend of cinema. Filling those shoes would have been impossible for any actor with less talent and charisma than Robert Downey Jr.
For the role, Downey Jr. studied every Chaplin film available, which helped him nail the iconic mannerisms of Chaplin. His performance was met with resounding acclaim, earning the actor his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and solidifying his status as a star.
Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in ‘My Week with Marilyn’ (2011)
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Marilyn Monroe’s life has sparked immense fascination, leading to multiple portrayals by various actresses. However, few have captured the star’s allure and tormented inner life as effectively as Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn.”
The movie garnered mostly positive reviews, and Williams’ performance earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, along with an Academy Award nomination. It’s worth noting that Kenneth Branagh also delivered an incredible portrayal of actor/director Laurence Olivier, earning him an Oscar nomination as well.
Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly in ‘Grace of Monaco’ (2014)
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Not all actors that tackle the task to portray another actor do it successfully. In this case, poor Nicole Kidman didn’t have a good script to begin with. While the film follows an interesting period of Grace Kelly’s life, as she was in the middle of a crisis in her marriage to Prince Rainier III, and she was considering returning to Hollywood, the movie was panned by critics for being too… contrived.
Meanwhile, Kidman’s performance received mixed reviews. Some critics thought that she was able to radiate both elegance and anguish, but others thought that she didn’t connect with the character.
