19 Side-By-Sides Of Famous Actors Vs. The Actual Musicians They Played

    These makeup artists really understood the assignment.

    1. This is Elvis Presley, who was dubbed "The King of Rock and Roll."

    Elvis Presley playing the guitar and singing

    Here's Austin Butler as Elvis in the upcoming film Elvis (2022).

    Austin Butler as Elvis Presley singing and playing the guitar

    And here's a side-by-side of Elvis Presley and Austin Butler in the movie.

    Elvis singing and playing the guitar; Austin Butler singing and playing the guitar

    2. This is Elton John, who is one of the most influential singer-songwriters in pop music history.

    Elton John sitting on a couch

    Here's Taron Egerton as Elton in the movie Rocketman (2019).

    Taron Egerton sitting on a couch

    And here's a side-by-side of Elton John and Taron Egerton in the movie.

    Elton John lounging; Taron Egerton as Elton John, lounging

    This is Freddie Mercury, who was a singer-songwriter and the iconic lead singer of the band Queen.

    Freddie Mercury holding a mic and raising his other hand up in the air

    Here's Rami Malek as Freddie in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

    Rami Malek acting as Freddie Mercury and singing into a mic

    And here's a side-by-side of Freddie Mercury and Rami Malek in the movie.

    Freddie Mercury performing; Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury performing

    3. This is Aretha Franklin, who has been dubbed "The Queen of Soul."

    A portrait of a young Aretha Franklin

    Here's Jennifer Hudson as Aretha in Respect (2021).

    Jennifer Hudson in a '60s style outfit and hairdo as Aretha Franklin

    And here's a side-by-side of Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson in the movie.

    The portrait of Aretha Franklin next to the still of Jennifer Hudson as Aretha

    4. This is Selena Quintanilla, who's dubbed the "Queen of Tejano Music."

    Selena holding a Grammy award

    Here's Jennifer Lopez as Selena in the movie Selena (1997).

    Jennifer Lopez as Selena, accepting a Grammy award

    And here's a side-by-side of Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez in the movie.

    Selena with a Grammy award; Jennifer Lopez as Selena with a Grammy award

    5. This is Tina Turner, who's dubbed the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll."

    Tina Turner performing

    Here's Angela Bassett as Tina in the movie What's Love Got to Do With It (1993).

    Angela Bassett as Tina Turner, performing

    And here's a side-by-side of Tina Turner and Angela Bassett in the movie.

    Tina Turner performing; Angela Bassett as Tina Turner, performing

    6. This is Tommy Lee (and Pamela Anderson), who is a founding member and drummer for the metal band Mötley Crüe.

    Tommy Lee looking surprised and Pamela Anderson biting his nipple ring

    Here's Sebastian Stan (and Lily James) as Tommy in the limited series Pam and Tommy (2022).

    And here's a side-by-side of Tommy Lee and Sebastian Stan in the series.

    Tommy Lee looking surprised and Pamela Anderson biting his nipple ring; Sebastian Stan and Lily James recreating the moment

    7. This is Jonathan Larson, who was a composer and lyricist best known for the musicals Rent and Tick, Tick... Boom!

    Jonathan Larson performing piano and singing

    Here's Andrew Garfield as Jonathan in the movie Tick, Tick...Boom! (2021).

    Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, performing

    And here's a side-by-side of Jonathan Larson and Andrew Garfield in the movie.

    Jonathan Larson playing piano and singing; Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, performing

    8. This is Bob Dylan, who's widely known as one of the best songwriters of all time.

    Bob Dylan smoking a cigarette

    Here's Cate Blanchett as Bob in the movie I'm Not There (2007).

    Cate Blanchett dressed as Bob Dylan, smoking a cigarette

    And here's a side-by-side of Bob Dylan and Cate Blanchett in the movie.

    Bob Dylan smoking; Cate Blanchett dressed as Bob Dylan

    9. This is Jim Morrison, who was a songwriter, poet, and lead singer of the band the Doors.

    Jim Morrison looking down at something

    Here's Val Kilmer as Jim in the movie The Doors (1991).

    Val Kilmer dressed as Jim Morrison

    And here's a side-by-side of Jim Morrison and Val Kilmer in the movie.

    Jim Morrison; Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison

    10. This is Jimi Hendrix, who was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and "the most gifted instrumentalist of all time."

    Jimi Hendrix performing onstage

    Here's André 3000 as Jimi in the movie Jimi: All Is by My Side (2014).

    André 3000 dressed as Jimi Hendrix, playing guitar

    And here's a side-by-side of Jimi Hendrix and André 3000 in the movie.

    Jimi Hendrix playing guitar; André 3000 playing guitar as Jimi Hendrix

    11. This is Buddy Holly, who was a singer-songwriter and one of the most influential artists in mid-1950s rock 'n' roll.

    Buddy Holly playing guitar

    Here's Gary Busey as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

    Gary Busey playing guitar and dressed like Buddy Holly

    And here's a side-by-side of Buddy Holly and Gary Busey in the movie.

    Buddy Holly; Gary Busey as Buddy Holly

    12. This is Ian Curtis, who was the lead singer and lyricist for the band Joy Division.

    Ian Curtis standing by a mic

    Here's Sam Riley as Ian in Control (2007).

    Sam Riley dressed like Ian Curtis and holding a mic

    And here's a side-by-side of Ian Curtis and Sam Riley in the movie.

    Ian Curtis; Sam Riley as Ian Curtis

    13. This is Johnny Cash, who was a singer-songwriter and an influential figure in American country music history.

    Johnny Cash singing and playing guitar

    This is Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny in the movie Walk the Line (2005).

    Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, playing the guitar and singing

    And here's a side-by-side of Johnny Cash and Joaquin Phoenix in the movie.

    Johnny Cash; Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash

    14. This is Sid Vicious, who was an English musician best known as being the bassist for the band the Sex Pistols.

    Sid Vicious winking

    Here's Gary Oldman as Sid in the movie Sid and Nancy (1986).

    Gary Oldman dressed as Sid Vicious

    And here's a side-by-side of Sid Vicious and Gary Oldman in the movie.

    Sid Vicious; Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious

    15. This is Judy Garland, who was an actor and singer, best known for starring in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

    Judy Garland singing

    Here's Renée Zellweger as Judy in the movie Judy (2019).

    Renée Zellweger dressed as Judy Garland, singing

    And here's a side-by-side of Judy Garland and Renée Zellweger in the movie.

    Judy Garland; Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland

    16. This is Ray Charles, who was a singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer often regarded as "The Genius."

    Ray Charles playing the piano

    Here's Jamie Foxx as Ray in the movie Ray (2004).

    Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, singing

    And here's a side-by-side of Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx in the movie.

    Ray Charles; Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles

    17. This is Édith Piaf, who was one of France's most popular singers internationally.

    Édith Piaf looking up

    Here's Marion Cotillard as Édith in the movie La Vie En Rose (2007).

    Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf, smiling

    And here's a side-by-side of Édith Piaf and Marion Cotillard in the movie.

    Édith Piaf looking up; Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf

    18. This is Brian Wilson, a singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Beach Boys.

    Brian Wilson and a dog

    Here's Paul Dano as Brian in the movie Love & Mercy (2014).

    Paul Dano as Brian Wilson, playing a bass guitar

    And here's a side-by-side of Brian Wilson and Paul Dano in the movie.

    Brian Wilson and a dog; Paul Dano as Brian Wilson

    19. Finally, this is Joan Jett, who is a singer best known for the group Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and a founder of the band the Runaways.

    Joan Jett looking serious

    Here's Kristen Stewart as Joan in the movie The Runaways (2010).

    Kristen Stewart dressed as Joan Jett

    And here's a side-by-side of Joan Jett and Kristen Stewart in the movie.

    Joan Jett; Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett