24 Photos Of Actors Alongside The People They Played That Prove Makeup Artists Need A Raise
Meryl Streep can transform into anyone.
One of the most interesting types of movies are biopics, which are based on real people and real-life events.
It's so interesting to see an actor transform into a historical figure or person who already exists, and it can be especially freaky to see the real person and the actor portraying them side by side! Below, I've rounded up some of the most impressive examples!
1. Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell
The makeup and hairstyling team for Bombshell won an Oscar.
2. Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
Silicone prosthetics were used to help Streep transform into Thatcher.
3. Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour
Makeup artist Kazuhiro Tsuji, who had helped turn Jim Carrey into the Grinch, left retirement to work on Darkest Hour.
4. Christian Bale as Dick Cheney in Vice
Makeup designer Greg Cannom used a combination of makeup, prosthetics, and wigs that took hours to apply for this transformation.
5. Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn
Michelle Williams IS Marilyn.
6. Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in Invictus
Spot the difference.
7. Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln
Makeup artist Lois Burwell used makeup not just to make Day-Lewis look like Lincoln, but also to reflect the growing stress of his presidency on his face.
8. Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown
The younger version of Queen Elizabeth (played by Claire Foy) was great too!
9. Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray
To become Ray Charles, Foxx studied Braille, lost 35 pounds, and wore eye prosthetics that made him blind half the day.
10. Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo in Frida
The makeup team won an Oscar for this film!
11. Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name
This is...the same person.
12. Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland in Judy
Renée Zellweger rightfully won an Oscar for this portrayal. The makeup team 100% would've won an Oscar if the Bombshell makeup hadn't been so amazing!
13. Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Half of this one is really just the personality, but still.
14. Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
The hair!
15. Selma Blair as Kris Jenner on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
It's really uncanny.
16. Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Amazing *chef's kiss* casting.
17. Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy in Jackie
Makeup artist Miwoo Kim studied newsreels to help her achieve the look.
18. Denzel Washington as Malcolm X in Malcolm X
(Kardashian voice) Wild.
19. Lindsay Lohan as Elizabeth Taylor in Liz & Dick
While I think the makeup and hair is good, it's the wardrobe I really love.
20. Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla-Perez in Selena
Lopez actually slept in Selena's bed to prepare for the role.
21. Meryl Streep as Julia Child in Julie & Julia
Makeup artist and hair stylist J. Roy Helland has worked with Streep on all her movies since the '80s.
22. Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis in Feud
They didn't use digital makeup or reverse aging — it was all done with makeup!
23. Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford in Feud
The makeup team used what Crawford herself would've used in the '60s: wet-setting and rollers!
24. And finally, Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse in Fosse/Verdon
The facial hair is spot on.