Skip To Content
BuzzFeed Homepage
Sign In
Search BuzzFeed

    21 Side-By-Sides That Show Actors Who Have Played The Exact Same Role In A True Crime TV Series Or Movie

    Damon Herriman looks so much like the real Charles Manson that he's portrayed him in both Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Netflix's Mindhunter.

    Nora Dominick
    by Nora Dominick

    BuzzFeed Staff

    This post contains mentions of sexual assault.

    1. First, Evan Peters and Ross Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer vs. the real Jeffrey Dahmer

    Side-by-sides of Evan Peters, Ross Lynch, and Jeffrey Dahmer
    Netflix / FilmRise / Everett Collection / Eugene Garcia / AFP / Getty Images

    Dahmer was a serial killer and sex offender who killed and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer was convicted of 16 murders and was sentenced to 16 life terms in prison after he confessed to "a total of 17 slayings" following his arrest in 1991.

    Evan portrayed Dahmer in Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, while Ross played him in My Friend Dahmer.

    2. Zac Efron and Chad Michael Murray as Ted Bundy vs. the real Ted Bundy

    Side-by-sides of Zac Efron, Chad Michael Murray, and Ted Bundy
    Netflix / Voltage Pictures / Everett Collection / Bettmann Archive / Getty Images

    Bundy was a serial killer who kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered numerous young women and girls throughout the 1970s. He was convicted for the murders of two women and was given the death penalty twice.

    Zac played Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, while Chad portrayed him in Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman.

    3. Mia Kirshner and Mena Suvari as Elizabeth Short vs. the real Elizabeth Short

    Side-by-sides of Mia Kirshner, Mena Suvari, and Elizabeth Short
    Universal / Everett Collection / FX / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    Nicknamed the Black Dahlia, Short was found murdered in Los Angeles in 1947. Her case was highly publicized at the time given the gruesome nature of what was done to her. Her unsolved murder is still highly debated and cause for conversation to this day.

    Mia portrayed Elizabeth in The Black Dahlia, while Mena played her in American Horror Story: Apocalypse.

    4. Damon Herriman and Matt Smith as Charles Manson vs. the real Charles Manson

    Side-by-sides of Damon Herriman, Matt Smith, and Charles Manson
    Netflix / IF Films / Bettmann / Getty Images

    Manson led the Manson Family cult during the 1960s, where some of the members committed nine murders. He was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

    Damon has actually played Manson twice, in both Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Mindhunter. Meanwhile, Matt took on the role in the film Charlie Says.

    5. Margot Robbie and Grace Van Dien as Sharon Tate vs. the real Sharon Tate

    Side-by-sides of Margot Robbie, Grace Van Dien, and Sharon Tate
    Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection / IFC Films / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    Tate was an actor and model, who was murdered alongside four others by members of the Manson Family, a cult led by Charles Manson.

    Margot played Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, while Grace portrayed her in Charlie Says.

    6. Javier Bardem and Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar vs. the real Pablo Escobar

    Side-by-sides of Javier Bardem, Wagner Moura, and Pablo Escobar
    Raul Soto / Millenium Media / Netflix / Everett Collection / Eric Vandeville / Getty Images

    Escobar notably ran the Medellín Cartel and was nicknamed "the king of cocaine." He's still considered one of the wealthiest criminals in history, having an estimated net worth of $25 billion at one point. He was shot to death in 1993 after having been arrested previously.

    Javier portrayed Escobar in the Spanish film Loving Pablo, while Wagner portrayed him in Narcos.

    7. Cuba Gooding Jr. and Boris Kodjoe as O.J. Simpson vs. the real O.J. Simpson

    Side-by-sides of Cuba Gooding Jr., Boris Kodjoe, and O.J. Simpson
    FX /  Newton House / Everett Collection / AFP / Getty Images

    Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1994 after they were both stabbed to death outside of Nicole's home. Simpson pleaded not guilty and was acquitted of all charges. 

    Cuba notably played Simpson in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Meanwhile, Boris portrayed him in Nicole & O.J.; however, the film was never released due to legal issues.

    8. Elizabeth Olsen and Jessica Biel as Candy Montgomery vs. the real Candy Montgomery

    Side-by-sides of Elizabeth Olsen, Jessica Biel, and Candy Montgomery
    HBO Max / Hulu / NBC / Via youtu.be

    Montgomery was accused of murdering her friend Betty Gore in 1980 after it was discovered that she was having an affair with Gore's husband. Montgomery was acquitted of murder.

    Elizabeth will portray Candy in the upcoming limited series Love & Death, while Jessica played her in Candy.

    9. Lily Rabe and Melanie Lynskey as Betty Gore vs. the real Betty Gore

    Side-by-sides of Lily Rabe, Melanie Lynskey, and Betty Gore
    HBO Max / Hulu / Oxygen / Via youtu.be

    Gore was found murdered in her home after being "struck with an axe 41 times." Montgomery, who was arrested for Gore's murder, ultimately testified that Betty had swung at her with the axe, and Gore's death was an act of self-defense. 

    Lily will portray Betty in the upcoming series Love & Death, while Melanie played her in Candy.

    10. Lou Diamond Phillips and Zach Villa as Richard Ramirez vs. the real Richard Ramirez

    Side-by-sides of Lou Diamond Phillips, Zach Villa, and Richard Ramirez
    A&E Networks / FX / Getty Images

    Ramirez, aka the Night Stalker or the Valley Intruder, was a serial killer who murdered at least 13 people in California between 1984 and 1985. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1989.

    Lou portrayed Ramirez in the film The Night Stalker, while Zach played the role in American Horror Story: 1984.

    11. Charlize Theron and Ashley Atwood as Aileen Wuornos vs. the real Aileen Wuornos

    Side-by-sides of Charlize Theron, Ashley Atwood, and Aileen Wuornos
    Newmarket Films / Voltage Pictures / 60 Minutes / Via youtu.be

    Wuornos was a serial killer who murdered at least seven people between 1989 and 1990. At the time, Wuornos argued that the men she killed attempted to sexually assault her while she was a sex worker, so all of their deaths were a result of self-defense. She was sentenced to death in 2002.

    Charlize won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Wuornos in Monster, while Ashley portrayed older Aileen in Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman.

    12. Darren Criss and Luke Morrison as Andrew Cunanan vs. the real Andrew Cunanan

    Side-by-sides of Darren Criss, Luke Morrison, and Andrew Cunanan
    FX / Lifetime / Jamie Scott Lytle / Getty Images

    Cunanan murdered at least five people in 1997, most notably Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace.

    Darren won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Meanwhile, Luke portrayed him in the TV movie House of Versace.

    13. Samantha Morton and Maxine Peake as Myra Hindley vs. the real Myra Hindley

    Side-by-sides of Samantha Morton, Maxine Peake, and Myra Hindley
    Channel 4 / ITV / Hulton Deutsch / Corbis / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Hindley was known for carrying out the famous Moors murders alongside Ian Brady between 1963 and 1965 in Manchester, England. Their victims were all children between the ages of 10 and 17.

    Samantha portrayed Hindley in Longford, while Maxine played the role in See No Evil: The Moors Murders.

    14. Miles Gaston Villanueva and Nico Tortorella as Lyle Menendez vs. the real Lyle Menendez

    Side-by-sides of Miles Gaston Villanueva, Nico Tortorella, and Lyle Menendez
    NBC / Lifetime / Everett Collection / Stephen Kim / Getty Images

    Menendez was convicted in 1996 for the murder of his parents alongside his brother. The trial of the Menendez brothers was highly publicized. Notably, their first trial was declared a mistrial after the juries were deadlocked, and their second trial eventually found them guilty.

    Miles portrayed Menendez in Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, while Nico portrayed him in Menendez: Blood Brothers.

    15. Gus Halper and Myko Olivier as Erik Menendez vs. the real Erik Menendez

    Side-by-sides of Gus Halper, Myko Olivier, and Erik Menendez
    NBC / Lifetime / Everett Collection / Stephen Kim / Getty Images

    Alongside his brother, Menendez was convicted for the murder of his parents in 1996. 

    Gus portrayed Menendez in Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, while Myko portrayed him in Menendez: Blood Brothers.

    16. Tony Curtis and David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo vs. the real Albert DeSalvo

    Side-by-sides of Tony Curtis, David Dastmalchian, and Albert DeSalvo
    20th Century Fox / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    Nicknamed the "Boston Strangler," DeSalvo murdered at least 13 women in the Boston area between 1962 and 1964. He was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting several women.

    Tony played him in The Boston Strangler, while David portrays DeSalvo in the new film Boston Strangler.

    17. Faye Dunaway and Holliday Grainger as Bonnie Parker vs. the real Bonnie Parker

    Side-by-sides of Faye Dunaway, Holliday Grainger, and Bonnie Parker
    Warner Bros / A&E / Everett Collection / Corbis / Getty Images

    Alongside her partner, Parker traveled through the US during the Great Depression. The couple were known for bank robberies and more, and their exploits were chronicled extensively by the press. Believed to have murdered at least 13 people, she was shot to death in 1934.

    Faye was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde. Meanwhile, Holliday played her in the miniseries Bonnie & Clyde.

    18. Warren Beatty and Emile Hirsch as Clyde Barrow vs. the real Clyde Barrow

    Side-by-sides of Warren Beatty, Emile Hirsch, and Clyde Barrow
    Warner Bros. / A&E / Everett Collection / Universal History Archive / Getty Images

    Alongside Parker, Barrow was known for leading the Barrow Gang during the Great Depression. His robberies with Parker became legendary, and he was shot to death alongside her in 1934.

    Warren was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde. Meanwhile, Emile played him in the miniseries Bonnie & Clyde.

    19. Michael Badalucco and Oliver Cooper as David Berkowitz vs. the real David Berkowitz

    Side-by-sides of Michael Badalucco, Oliver Cooper, and David Berkowitz
    Bunea Vista / Everett Collection / Netflix / Robert R. Mcelroy / Getty Images

    Nicknamed Son of Sam, Berkowitz was a serial killer who eventually pleaded guilty to eight shootings in 1976. He was known for evading law enforcement and causing one of the largest manhunts in New York history.

    Michael notably played Berkowitz in Summer of Sam, while Oliver portrayed him in Mindhunter.

    20. Drew Barrymore and Alyssa Milano as Amy Fisher vs. the real Amy Fisher

    Side-by-sides of Drew Barrymore, Alyssa Milano, and Amy Fisher
    ABC / Everett Collection / Lifetime / Newsday / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Nicknamed "The Long Island Lolita" by the media, she shot and wounded Mary Jo Buttafuoco, the wife of someone Fisher was having a sexual relationship with. She was charged with attempted first-degree murder and pled guilty.

    Drew portrayed Amy in The Amy Fisher Story, while Alyssa took on the role in Casualties of Love: The "Long Island Lolita" Story.

    21. And finally, Brian Dennehy and Mark Holton as John Wayne Gacy vs. the real John Wayne Gacy

    Side-by-sides of Brian Dennehy, Mark Holton, and John Wayne Gacy
    Fox / Everett Collection / Lionsgate Home Entertainment / Tribune News Service / Getty Images / Via youtu.be

    Gacy was a serial killer who sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered at least 33 young men and boys in a suburb of Chicago in the 1970s. He was nicknamed the "Killer Clown" due to the fact he performed publicly as "Pogo the Clown" or "Patches the Clown."

    Brian portrayed Gacy in the TV film To Catch a Killer, while Mark played the role in Gacy.

    If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.