Actors who look identical to their real-life characters
James Franco portrayed Fidel Castro in "Alina of Cuba"
© Getty Images
Numerous famous individuals from history have been brought back to life on the silver screen by some of Hollywood's most talented performers. From Marilyn Monroe to Albert Einstein, these figures have left a lasting impact and will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
While some actors have had to undergo significant physical changes in order to fully embody their characters, there are also those fortunate enough to bear an astonishing resemblance to the individuals they are portraying. This not only benefits the production but also greatly enhances their performances
Actor and comedian Pauly Shore has been playing up the idea of portraying fitness legend Richard Simmons since early 2023. The 'Encino Man' star has posted videos of himself imitating Simmons on Instagram, and was even cast to play him in a short film called 'The Court Jester' which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. On January 17, however, the Wolper Organization announced that they are producing a full-length biopic about Richard Simmons, with Pauly Shore in the lead role. The projects are apparently unrelated, but it seems that Shore is the only man who could do it! In a statement, Shore said he's “really excited about sharing Richard Simmons’s life with the world,” adding, “Whenever he was on TV you could never take your eyes off of him and he brought such a joy to his appearances that represented nothing but a good time.”
Simmons, on the other hand, was less enthusiastic. “I have never given my permission for this movie,” he wrote in a rare social media post just hours after the news broke. “So don’t believe everything you read.” The producers are still looking for the right writer to take on the script and the release date has yet to be determined.
Check out this gallery to see more side-by-side photos of actors who look strikingly similar to the people they played on screen.
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