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19 Actors Who Played IRL Criminals And Serial Killers In Movies And TV Shows

The casting department for Mindhunter was absolutely unmatched.

This post deals with topics like domestic violence and sexual assault of adults and minors.  

1. This is Candy Montgomery, who murdered her friend by striking her with an axe 41 times.

Here's Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery in the limited series Love & Death (2023).

Elizabeth Olsen in "Love & Death"

And here's a side-by-side of Candy Montgomery and Elizabeth Olsen in the series.

2. This is Larry Hall, who is suspected of killing over 50 young women but has never been charged because he has recanted dozens of confessions.

Larry Hall

Here's Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall in the miniseries Black Bird (2022).

Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall

And here's a side-by-side of Larry Hall and Paul Walter Hauser in the series.

Side-by-side of Larry Hall and Paul Walter Hauser

3. This is Richard Ramirez, who was a serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist best known as The Night Stalker.

Richard with long curly hair wearing a prison uniform

Here's Zach Villa as Richard Ramirez in the series American Horror Story: 1984 (2019).

Zach with long curly hair in civilian clothes

And here's a side-by-side of Richard Ramirez and Zach Villa in the series.

Side-by-side of Richard Ramirez and Zach Villa

4. This is Jeffrey Dahmer, who was convicted of murdering and dismembering 17 men and boys.

Jeffrey Dahmer's mug shot wearing silver rimmed glasses and a mustache

Here's Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer in the series Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022).

Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer

And here's a side-by-side of Jeffrey Dahmer and Evan Peters in the series.

Side-by-side of Jeffrey Dahmer and Evan Peters

5. This is Ted Bundy, who confessed to 30 homicides he committed across seven different states in the '70s.

Ted Bundy in a suit during trial

Here's Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019).

Zac wearing a very similar suit for the trial scene

And here's a side-by-side of Ted Bundy and Zac Efron in the movie.

Side-by-side of Ted Bundy and Zac Efron

6. This is Aileen Wuornos, who was dubbed the world's first female serial killer.

Aileen in a prison jumpsuit and handcuffs trying to raise her hand

Here's Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in the movie Monster (2003).

close up of Charlize in a jumpsuit with a coat on top

And here's a side-by-side of Aileen Wuornos and Charlize Theron in the movie.

Side-by-side of Aileen Wuornos and Charlize Theron

7. This is Andrew Cunanan, who went on a killing spree in 1997 where he murdered five people, including Italian fashion designer, Gianni Versace.

Mug shot of Andrew wearing circular glasses and short hair

Here's Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan in the series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018).

close up of Darren wearing the same style of glasses and short hair

And here's a side-by-side of Andrew Cunanan and Darren Criss in the series.

Side-by-side of Andrew Cunanan and Darren Criss

8. This is Christopher and Susan Edwards, who were convicted of killing Susan's parents, burying them in their backyard, and using their identities to commit fraud.

both of their mug shots

Here's David Thewlis and Olivia Colman as Christopher and Susan Edwards in the limited series Landscapers (2021).

the actors in civilian clothes

And here's a side-by-side of Christopher and Susan Edwards and David Thewlis and Olivia Colman in the series.

Side-by-sides of David and Olivia as their characters, Susan and Chris Edwards

9. This is Mark David Chapman, who was convicted of murdering former Beatles member, John Lennon.

Mark's mug shot wearing dark aviator framed glasses

Here's Jared Leto as Mark David Chapman in the movie Chapter 27 (2007).

Jared in civilian clothes wearing the same style of glasses

And here's a side-by-side of Mark David Chapman and Jared Leto in the movie.

Side-by-side of Mark David and Jared Leto

10. This is Fred West, who, along with his wife, murdered several people and hid their bodies.

Fred West's mug shot

Here's Dominic West as Fred West in the miniseries Appropriate Adult (2011):

Dominic West as Fred West

And here's a side-by-side of Fred West and Dominic West in the series.

Side-by-side of Fred West and Dominic West

11. This is John Wayne Gacy, who was a serial killer that also performed as a clown at children's hospitals and charities.

John's mugshot where he has a small mustache, gruff, and short hair

Here's Brian Dennehy as John Wayne Gacy in the two-part television film To Catch a Killer (1992).

Brian's clean-shaven mug shot with short hair

And here's a side-by-side of John Wayne Gacy and Brian Dennehy in the movie.

Side-by-side of John Wayne Gacy and Brian Dennehy

12. This is David Berkowitz, who is the serial killer best known as the "Son of Sam."

Closeup of David Berkowitz

Here's Oliver Cooper as David Berkowitz in the series Mindhunter (2017–2019).

Oliver Cooper in "Mindhunter"

And here's a side-by-side of David Berkowitz and Oliver Cooper in the series.

Side-by-side of David Berkowitz and Oliver Cooper

13. This is Ed Kemper, who murdered six college students and is also known as the Co-Ed Killer.

Edmund in his prison uniform with a mustache and glasses

Here's Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper in the series Mindhunter (2017–2019).

Cameron in a prison scene looking the exact same

And here's a side-by-side of Ed Kemper and Cameron Britton in the series.

Side-by-side of Ed Kemper and Cam Britton

14. This is Dennis Nilsen, who was a Scottish serial killer and necrophile that murdered at least 12 young men.

Here's David Tennant as Dennis Nilsen in the limited series Des (2020).

David wearing the exact same hair style, glasses, and shirt

And here's a side-by-side of Dennis Nilsen and David Tennant in the series.

15. This is Robert Hansen, who was the serial killer best known as "The Butcher Baker."

Here's John Cusack as Robert Hansen in the movie The Frozen Ground (2013).

John in a similar haircut and glasses

And here's a side-by-side of Robert Hansen and John Cusack in the movie.

Side-by-side of Robert Hansen and John Cusack

16. This is Albert DeSalvo, who admitted to murdering 13 women in the Boston area between 1962–1964 and was nicknamed "The Boston Strangler."

Albert DeSalvo

Here's David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo in the movie Boston Strangler (2023).

David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo

And here's a side-by-side of Albert DeSalvo and David Dastmalchian in the movie.

Albert DeSalvo and David Dastmalchian

17. This is Michael Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his second wife Kathleen Peterson in 2003.

Michael Peterson

Here's Colin Firth as Michael Peterson in the limited series The Staircase (2022).

Colin Firth as Michael Peterson

And here's a side-by-side of Michael Peterson and Colin Firth in the series.

Michael Peterson and Colin Firth

18. This is Myra Hindley, who, along with her boyfriend, carried out the murders and rapes of five children in a spree that's now known as the Moors Murders.

Closeup of Myra Hindley

Here's Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley in the movie Longford (2007):

Samantha Mortan as Myra

And here's a side-by-side of Myra Hindley and Samantha Morton in the movie.

Side-by-side of Myra and Samantha

19. Finally, this is Ron Lafferty, who, alongside his brother Dan, was charged with the homicide of his sister-in-law and niece.

Ron and Dan Lafferty

Here's Sam Worthington as Ron Lafferty in the miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven (2022).

Sam Worthington as Ron Lafferty

And here's a side-by-side of Rob Lafferty and Sam Worthington in the series.

Ron Lafferty and Sam Worthington