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Looking closer at actors and actresses who have played the *exact* same role.

How to you bring a near-legendary historic figure to life? That's the challenge that these actors who played Abraham Lincoln faced. Whether they channeled Honest Abe on television or in the movies, they turned in memorable performances.Abraham Lincoln in film is not new. For decades, Hollywood has tried to capture the fascinating life of the 16th President. Acclaimed method actor Daniel Day-Lewis gave a meticulously crafted performance as the politician in Steven Spielberg’s epic historical drama Lincoln. The 2012 film was nominated for <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/oscar-categories-you-care-about/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">12 Academy Awards</a>;&nbsp;Spielberg won Best Director and Day-Lewis won Best Actor. Other famous stars&nbsp;who have played Abraham Lincoln include Gregory Peck, Sam Waterston, and Henry Fonda.Portraying such a storied individual is always difficult for an actor, but everyone on this list&nbsp;gave it their all.

The legend of Al Capone goes much further than his&nbsp;prominent role in the annals of American crime; the man nicknamed &quot;Scarface&quot;&nbsp;helped shape the myth of the cinematic gangster. The notorious Chicago crook (and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/al-capone-soup-kitchen/kellie-kreiss" target="_blank">occasional altruist</a>)&nbsp;not only inspired the films that adopted his famed sobriquet - with Paul Muni playing a thinly veiled portrait of the underworld icon&nbsp;in Howard Hawks&#39;s 1932&nbsp;Scarface&nbsp;and Al Pacino taking on the same challenge in the 1983 remake - but has repeatedly had his own story told&nbsp;over the years. Decades after his passing, he remains one of the most well-documented figures in true crime history.

Of the actors who played Al Capone, perhaps none is more notable than Robert De Niro in Brian De Palma&#39;s&nbsp;The Untouchables. In 2020, however, Tom Hardy set his sights on that legacy with&nbsp;Capone, Josh Trank&#39;s quasi-biopic of the mobster&#39;s delirious final years. Those tough-guy titans are far from the only actors to take on this legendary figure, who was a regular on HBO&#39;s&nbsp;Boardwalk Empire&nbsp;(brought to life by Stephen Graham) as well as a number of features and made-for-TV movies&nbsp;dating back to the 1950s.

Which of these Al Capone actors delivered the most memorable performances? Even leaving&nbsp;Capone&#39;s countless cameo appearances in movies and TV episodes out of the equation, there&#39;s plenty of interpretations to choose from. Vote up your favorites.

When it comes to superhero films, Batman has long been one of the best (and earliest) examples of these&nbsp;star-studded action movies—and the same could be said about the actors who play Batman. Whether you're talking some of the first few <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/all-batman-movies-or-list-of-batman-movies" target="_blank">Batman films</a> or&nbsp;the more modern takes on the tale, not to mention the voice actors in various animated series and video games,&nbsp;they've all provided great entertainment. Not only that, but all the Batman actors have done a fine job of portraying the original comic book superhero, as well as the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-batman-interpretations/ranker-comics" target="_blank">different versions of Batman</a>, often creating their own <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/batman-batsuit-evolution/eric-vega" target="_blank">batsuit evolution</a>—but who did it best?While Lewis Wilson, who was the first Batman,&nbsp;may have set the tone for Batman actors to come, those who took on the role in subsequent films and productions definitely stood up to the original performance. Of course, it's not just live-action films these actors starred in. As mentioned, some lent their deep, bass-like voices to animated Batman series and feature films, as well as video games.&nbsp;From the beloved Adam West in Batman (1966 - 1968)&nbsp;to the somewhat surprising Will Arnett in The Lego Movie, the actors who played Batman are quite the diverse group, but they all laid down some great performances.&nbsp;Perhaps one of the best actors to play Batman, however, is Christian Bale. He's landed the starring role in three Batman films and nailed them all. Nevertheless, Michael Keaton's performance in Batman Returns could also make him reign as one of the best Batman actors. What do you think of the order of rankings?Check out the complete list of Batman actors (and voice actors) below and vote up the guys you think handled the role best. Then check out <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-batman-actors/ranker-entertainment" target="_blank">who has played the other half of this dynamic duo</a>.

Actresses

We’re ranking the best Cleopatra actresses of all time. As one of the most enigmatic and fascinating characters in antiquity, Cleopatra is often portrayed as being powerful, pragmatic, and sensual. Yes, she might have conquered Julius Caesar’s heart, but there’s still so much we don’t know about her. In fact, the mythos of Cleopatra has become so popular that it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.From the very first films, actresses have portrayed their own unique version of Cleopatra. While Vivien Leigh captured Cleopatra’s charm in 1945’s Caesar and Cleopatra, Sophia Loren brought the heat to the big screen in her breakout performance in 1954’s Due notti con Cleopatra, which translates to Two Nights with Cleopatra. Elizabeth Taylor also turned a few heads with her classic portrayal in 1963’s Cleopatra, and Monica&nbsp;Bellucci played Cleopatra in&nbsp;Asterix &amp; Obelix. Which actress is your favorite?Vote up the best Cleopatra actresses to see who tops the list.

Whether he's called Count, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nosferatu-vs-dracula-copyright/michelle-nati" target="_blank">Nosferatu</a>, or Vlad, Dracula is almost synonymous with vampires - especially on television and film. Several famous actors have played Dracula in horror films and TV comedies. Some of the best Dracula characters were portrayed by <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/every-oscar-winning-film-ever/drake-bird?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Academy Award winners</a>, but many won our heart rather than awards. Some actors who played Dracula even appeared in multiple films portraying that fanged fiend of the night.On this list of all Dracula actors, you'll find folks who notably played the role. Grandpa Sam claiming he's the Dracula on one episode of The Munsters doesn't count. That lets us focus on actors who were the most memorable, like Gary Oldman as Count Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula. That movie won three Oscars for Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, and Best Makeup, and however you feel about the quality of the adaptation, Oldman is definitely memorable.Bela Lugosi is perhaps the actor best associated with the character, Dracula. He portrayed the iconic vampire in the 1931 film, Dracula. Other actors who famously played Dracula include Gerard Butler and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Although he may be more memorable, Christopher Lee played the count ten times.Which actors do you think did the best job playing Dracula? Vote up the best actors who played Dracula in a way that will live forever, then be sure to check out the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-dracula-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">best Dracula movies</a>.

Elizabeth I of England <a href="/list/personal-life-of-queen-elizabeth-i/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">reigned for 44 years</a>, which presents a lot of opportunity for Oscar and Emmy nominations. Whatever an actor&#39;s age, there&#39;s an Elizabeth for them - the precocious teen princess, the embattled young queen, the regal eminence in all her splendor, or the declining monarch staving off mortality with rouge and pancake makeup.

A century&#39;s worth of screen thespians have risen to the challenge of bringing Good Queen Bess to life, and there seems to be no end in sight. The most memorable Elizabeths may be Glenda Jackson in Elizabeth R, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cate-blanchett-movie-and-tv-roles/ezra-hendren" target="_blank">Cate Blanchett</a> in Elizabeth, and Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love. But they&#39;re just the tip of the iceberg. How many characters can claim to have been played by both Sarah Bernhardt and Margot Robbie?

Peruse our roundup of over 30 women (and a couple of men)&nbsp;who have played Elizabeth I and vote up your favorites.

Many of Hollywood’s biggest names have taken their turn at playing Elvis Presley over the years. Some performances are particularly memorable; others are... forgettable at best. This is a list of famous actors <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-played-rock-stars/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">who played Elvis</a> Presley in films and TV movies. Can anyone, even the greatest of thespians, ever truly capture the essence of an icon like Elvis? Many have tried. Few have succeeded. Still, these actors who have played Elvis Presley no doubt gave it their all, and their efforts are worth celebrating.Among the most notable Elvis actors are Kurt Russell, who portrayed The King in the 1979 TV movie Elvis, directed by none other than John Carpenter. The film received a Golden Globe nomination, and Russell was nominated for an Emmy for the performance.Other stars who played Elvis Presley include Don Johnson (opposite Stephanie Zimbalist in 1981’s Elvis and the Beauty Queen), David Keith (in 1988’s Heartbreak Hotel), and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (2005’s TV mini-series Elvis). Several actors have played characters who may or may not actually be Elvis Presley. Bruce Campbell’s bizarre turn as Elvis - or an aging Elvis impersonator - enlivens Bubba Ho-Tep. Robert Patrick played a mysterious celeb known as Mr. Aaron (as in Elvis Aaron Presley) in Lonely Street, and Harvey Keitel was a memorable Elvis (or an impersonator) in 1998’s Finding Graceland.Whether they upped the camp factor or went for the heartstrings, these actors all put their own unique stamp on Elvis.

First Ladies

Some of Hollywood’s finest actresses have played first ladies in film and television. One of the loudest Oscar buzzes of 2016 is for Natalie Portman as&nbsp;Jackie Onassis&nbsp;in Jackie. <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jackie_2016">Critics across the board</a> have lauded the Academy Award winning actress’s depiction of the iconic first lady in the days following husband&nbsp;John F. Kennedy’s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/jfk-conspiracy/mike-rothschild">assassination in 1963</a>. Portman is not the first actress to receive critical praise for her performance as a first lady. Here are 13 of the best performances in television and film by an actress playing a real-life first lady.Many of the movies&nbsp;and shows on this list feature the first lady as a secondary character to her president husband. However, some of the items are straight up first lady biopics. Jackie, The Betty Ford Story, and The Magnificent Doll&nbsp;all&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on the FLOTUS&nbsp;and her dramatic arc. Portrayals of historical characters in movies and TV are all over the map, but these women knocked it out of the park.&nbsp;American audiences have always been fascinated by <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/queen-elizabeth-actors/ranker-film">historical characters</a> in movies and television. Legends like Patty Duke and Sally Field are just a few of the renowned actresses&nbsp;who have portrayed America’s most iconic first ladies. If&nbsp;your favorite actresses to&nbsp;play a first lady is missing, let the world&nbsp;know in the comments section below.

Performances

We all know that, actually, the doctor's name is Frankenstein, but that doesn't really stop most of us from calling the monster by his creator's name. Whether called The Monster, The Creation, or simply Frankenstein, several famous actors have played <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/frankenstein-movies-about-other-things/megan-summers" target="_blank">Frankenstein's Monster</a> in horror films and comedies in both films and TV series. Many of the best Frankenstein characters were portrayed by Academy Award winners - though none have won for their work as The Monster.Perhaps the most familiar Frankenstein is Boris Karloff, who is often mistakenly thought of as the original film Frankenstein (that's actually Charles Stanton Ogle). He portrayed the character in Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939), his number of portrayals only matched by Glenn Strange ten years later. Robert De Niro played &quot;The Creation&quot; in the 1994 film, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.Although he might not have been technically the classic Creation, Peter Boyle portrayed &quot;Fronkonsteen's&quot; Monster in Mel Brooks' 1974 comedy, Young Frankenstein. Other famous actors who played Frankenstein include Aaron Eckhart and Phil Hartman, the latter of which whom frequently portrayed the monster in hilarious Saturday Night Live skits.Which actors do you think made the best Monster? Vote your favorite Frankensteins up to the top of this list.

Celebrity Facts

Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most notable tragedies. Many famous actors have portrayed the complicated title character. Several actors have even directed the productions of Hamlet in which they starred. One Academy Award winning actor passed out on stage during a production of the famous play. This list of actors who have played Hamlet is loosely ranked by fame and popularity.&nbsp;Shakespeare's Hamlet is a tragedy, was written sometime between 1599 and 1602 and centers on the title character Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark. Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play, dramatizing Prince Hamlet's revenge on his uncle Claudius, who murdered Hamlet's father. The play follows Hamlet's descent into madness and is one of Shakespeare's most performed plays, even to this day.Many famous actors have played Hamlet, but who is the most famous? Mel Gibson tops our list. Gibson played Hamlet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 film.&nbsp;Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis played Hamlet at the National Theatre in London in 1989. An exhausted Day-Lewis collapsed during the pivotal scene where the ghost of Hamlet's father first appears. Day-Lewis later claimed to see the ghost of his own dead father during the incident. He has not returned to the stage since that fateful performance.Which legendary actor do you think portrayed Hamlet the best? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

As larger-than-life personalities go, <a href="/list/who-was-henry-viii/carly-silver" target="_blank">it&#39;s hard to top Henry VIII</a>. The multitalented, athletic, tyrannical, lustful monarch left an indelible stamp on history with his founding of the Church of England, while his epic love life (marrying six women, divorcing two, outliving one, beheading two) has fascinated us for almost five centuries.

No wonder, then, that some of the greatest actors of all time have clamored to play him on film and television. Henry has popped up everywhere - from Oscar-winning biopics (The Private Life of Henry VIII, A Man For All Seasons) to silly sitcom walk-ons (Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie). Some Henry VIII actors, like <a href="/list/tudors-cast-vs-real-people/sarah-blumert" target="_blank">Jonathan Rhys-Meyers</a> and Ruairi O&#39;Connor,&nbsp;were born to play young, sexy Henry, while others, like Charles Laughton and Keith Michell, were destined to embody the king <a href="/list/henry-viii-decline/setareh-janda" target="_blank">in his corpulent waning years</a>. Yet others - Damian Lewis and Robert Shaw, for instance - capture the man at a peak of power and charisma.

Here are thirty fictional Henrys covering over a century of motion pictures, from the silent-film era to streaming TV. Have a look, and then decide: who was best suited to wear the trademark red beard and floppy hat?

Join us as we&nbsp;rank the best Jack Ryan actors in movies and TV. As one of the most popular fictional CIA agents of all time, Jack Ryan knows a thing or two about espionage. The character was created by Tom Clancy back in 1984 and is a central figure in many of his popular spy novels.

Though the enemies he faces are always different, Jack is always portrayed as a firm patriot with an unwavering devotion to his country. His first big-screen appearance was in the&nbsp;Patriot Games, where Ryan was played by Harrison Ford. Harrison reprised the role in 1994&rsquo;s Clear and Present Danger, and Alec Baldwin quickly took over in <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-the-hunt-for-red-october-quotes-v1/movie-and-tv-quotes?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The Hunt for Red October</a>. In the 2000s, Jack&rsquo;s been played by Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears, Chris Pine in Shadow Recruit, and, more recently,&nbsp;John Krasinski. Which of these actors that have played Jack Ryan is your favorite?

Vote up the best Jack Ryan actors so readers can see who played him best.

Spies

Once Sean Connery nailed the role in the first Bond film, all the actors who played James Bond next had some seriously big shoes to fill. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-equalled-or-surpassed-previous-iconic-casting/skyler-hanrath" target="_blank">Rebooting any iconic role is tough</a>, and while each and every one of these <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-james-bond-movies" target="_blank">007 movies</a> were great in their own way, some of the actors took on the character better than others. So, whether you're a fan of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/old-james-bond-movies/ranker-film" target="_blank">classic James Bond</a> actors or fancy those from the new Bond&nbsp;movies, who do you think&nbsp;takes the cake out of the best&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/her-majestys-secret-service-weird-bond-movie/tyler-mitchell" target="_blank">James Bond</a> actors?All talented and all handsome, the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/james-bond-actors-who-talked-shit-about-james-bond/matthewcoleweiss" target="_blank">actors who played James Bond</a> certainly didn't disappoint—and most of them took on the role in multiple films. In terms of the top Bond actors, however, Pierce Brosnan&nbsp;has got to be one of the best, if not the greatest&nbsp;Bond man, boasting the role in four flicks including Goldeneye and Die Another Day. The aforementioned Sean Connery, who was the first James Bond, obviously&nbsp;can't be overlooked for the best. He not only starred in the debut role, but landed five more subsequent roles as Bond. Of course, you also have to consider&nbsp;Daniel Craig, who's played the more modern James Bond a handful of times.&nbsp;No matter which era of James Bond films you're a fan of, check out the list of all the actors to play Bond below and vote up the ones you thought took on the role best.

Christian

Max von Sydow

Stories from the bible are among the most popular tales ever told. But how does a director go about casting Jesus? An actor certainly must have that divine and holy look, plus they must have a certain presence about them that is both kind and grand. There have been several actors who portrayed Jesus, this list features some of the best Jesus performances ever. This list has actors who played Jesus on the silver screen and on television. Some of the films are among the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-movies/anncasano?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most controversial movies</a> in the history of cinema. In fact, The Last Temptation of Christ is still banned in some countries, while other films on this list are hilarious romps that aim to be tongue-in-cheek rather than overtly dramatic. The list also features an array of actors from Will Ferrell to Christian Bale. Make your voice heard. Be sure to vote up all of your favorite Jesus actors.

William Devane

JFK lived one heck of a life. From his childhood within a burgeoning political dynasty and his heroism in the military, to his torrid extramarital affairs and his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK's life easily lends itself to epic movie and TV adaptations. And of course, after his assassination the media became even more fascinated with John F. Kennedy. In all, about a dozen actors got to take their turns playing the playboy president, and they all brought something different to the role. Who portrayed him the best? Rank all of their performances on this <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-actors?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">list of actors</a> who played JFK.

There are several famous actors who have played Julius Caesar in movies and on television - and not just in adaptations of the Shakespearean play. Many of the Julius Caesar actors have strong theatre backgrounds and are no doubt familiar with the character from the play - but no film adaptations of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar are listed here.&nbsp;Instead, these are portrayals of Caesar in historical dramas and action shows. Some of the best Julius Caesar actors earned Academy Award nominations for their dramatic turns as the emperor on film. Others brought humor or quirkiness to the role in a Julius Caesar TV series.Jeremy Sisto played Julius Caesar in the 2003 mini-series, Julius Caesar. Richard Harris and Christopher Walken were also members of the cast. Rex Harrison was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Julius Caesar in the 1963 film, Cleopatra. The Emperor of Rome has even made an appearance in shows like Spartacus, Xena: Warrior Princess, and the Julius Caesar Rome HBO series.So, who are the actors who played Julius Caesar? Find out below. And don’t forget to give the best Caesar actors a “pollice verso” (the &quot;turned thumb&quot; from gladiatorial combat) and vote your favorite portrayals up.

History

As one of the greatest literary leaders of all time, King Arthur&rsquo;s exploits are legendary. With the wise and powerful Merlin and his trusted Knights of the Round Table by his side, Arthur was able to save Briton from the Saxons and create a far-reaching empire. Find out who has played King Arthur in the list below.

The Arthurian legend is among the most well-known and beloved in history, and it comes as no surprise to see so many actors donning Excalibur and taking on the iconic role of Arthur Pendragon. Which King Arthur actor is your favorite? Whether you prefer Nigel Terry&rsquo;s stoic role in the 1981 epic Excalibur or&nbsp;Bradley James&#39; take in&nbsp;the BBC show Merlin,&nbsp;you certainly have good options for the best King Arthur actors.

Charlie Hunnam is another one of the actors who played King Arthur. He starred in 2017&#39;s&nbsp;King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.&nbsp;But was the Guy Ritchie-dirteced film one of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-king-arthur-movies/all-genre-movies-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best King Arthur movies</a>? Many think not. What&#39;s your opinion? Another of the best King Arthur actors is&nbsp;Graham Chapman, who&nbsp;played a funnier take on King Arthur in the 1975 comedy spoof&nbsp;Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Vote up the best <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/king-arthur-cast-and-actors-in-this-movie/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">King Arthur actor</a> to see who truly is the rightful heir to the throne.

<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-played-richard-iii/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">At least as far back as Shakespeare</a>, kings have made for meaty dramatic roles, and actors have lined up to play them. We&#39;ve gathered some of the most memorable screen kings from almost 90 years of movies and television. Emperors and pharaohs are also eligible, but we draw the line at dictators (hence, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-played-julius-caesar/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">no Julius Caesar</a>). Napoleon, who crowned himself, is a bit of an edge case, but in light of the surfeit of other performances we&#39;ve left him off too. Mythological or legendary kings don&#39;t qualify, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-played-king-arthur/ranker-entertainment" target="_blank">so no King Arthur either.</a>

Read on, and vote up your favorite actors who have played kings!

<a href="https://www.folger.edu/macbeth" target="_blank">Macbeth </a>is one of William Shakespeare's darkest tragedies. It tackles political themes and the lengths&nbsp;men will go to in order to achieve power. Several famous actresses have taken on the role of Lady Macbeth.&nbsp;The character of Lady Macbeth is incredibly challenging for actresses to take on. She is the wife of the title character Macbeth and becomes Queen of Scotland. Lady Macbeth is a powerful presence in the first two acts of the play and is often seen as a personification of the conflict between femininity and masculinity in cultural norms.Who is the most famous actress who has played Lady Macbeth? <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/macbeth/marion-cotillard-interview/" target="_blank">Marion Cotillard </a>tops our list. Cotillard played&nbsp;Lady Macbeth in a 2015 film adaption simply titled Macbeth, directed by Justin Kurzel. Most recently, English actress <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/07/16/537509464/florence-pugh-on-her-role-in-lady-macbeth" target="_blank">Florence Pugh</a> took on the leading role in William Oldroyd's&nbsp;2016 independent drama&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lady_macbeth" target="_blank">Lady Macbeth</a>. Her performance won her the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress.Which actress do you think did the best job portraying Lady Macbeth? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Can you imagine what it must feel like to be a diabolical genius when your arch-nemesis is literally the most powerful being on the planet? As one of the most popular supervillains of all time, the best Lex Luthor actors have to bring a certain charisma to their role. Even though he&rsquo;s pretty evil, Lex is one of the most enduring characters in all of comic books, having gone through numerous iterations throughout the years. Sometimes, he&#39;s a calculating madman; other times, he&#39;s the freaking president of the United States.&nbsp;

A vast array of actors have played Lex Luthor over the years. Naturally, Gene Hackman was Luthor for many years in the public eye, playing the lead supervillain in the Richard Donner Superman movies. Jesse Eisenberg played a very different version of Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. And that&#39;s not even getting into all of the actors who have portrayed Luthor on television. There&#39;s a lot of fun to be had playing a super genius villain, so it&#39;s easy to see why so many fine actors have been drawn to the role.&nbsp;

Vote for your favorite Lex Luthor actors to see which one has the best chance of ruling the world.&nbsp;

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Famous Actors Who Played Famous Kings, Ranked By Regality

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Yul Brynner As Ramesses II In 'The Ten Commandments'

Yul Brynner

Yul Brynner (born Yuliy Borisovich Briner, Russian: Юлий Борисович Бринер; July 11, 1920 – October 10, 1985) was a Soviet-American film and stage actor.Brynner first became widely known for his portrayal of King Mongkut of Siam in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I, for which he won two Tony Awards and an Academy Award for the film version. He played the role 4,625 times on stage. He also starred as Ramesses II in the Cecil B. DeMille epic The Ten Commandments (1956), and played General Bounine in the film Anastasia (also 1956), the gunman Chris Adams in The Magnificent Seven (1960) and its first sequel Return of the Seven, and the android "The Gunslinger" in Westworld (1973) and its sequel Futureworld (1976).Brynner was known for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it in 1951 for his role in The King and I. Earlier, he was a model and television director, and later a photographer and the author of two books.

Gerard Butler As Leonidas In '300'

Gerard Butler

Gerard James Butler (born 13 November 1969) is a Scottish actor, producer, singer and musician.
After studying law, Butler turned to acting in the mid-1990s with small roles in productions such as Mrs Brown (1997), the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), and Tale of the Mummy (1998). In 2000, he starred as Dracula in the horror film Dracula 2000 with Christopher Plummer and Jonny Lee Miller.
He subsequently played Attila the Hun in the miniseries Attila (2001) and then appeared in the films Reign of Fire with Christian Bale (2002) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life with Angelina Jolie (2003), before playing André Marek in the adaptation of Michael Crichton's science fiction adventure Timeline (2003). He then was cast as the role of Erik, The Phantom in Joel Schumacher's 2004 film adaptation of the musical The Phantom of the Opera alongside Emmy Rossum. That role earned him a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor.
Although Attila and The Phantom of the Opera were important breaks, it was only in 2007 that Butler gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's fantasy war film 300. That role earned him nominations for an Empire Award for Best Actor and a Saturn Award for Best Actor and a win for MTV Movie Award for Best Fight. In the 2010s, he voiced the role of Stoick the Vast in the animated action-fantasy film How to Train Your Dragon, a role he later reprised in Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon (2010), Gift of the Night Fury (2011), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). Also in 2010s, he portrayed Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen, a role he later reprised in London Has Fallen and Angel Has Fallen. He played military leader Tullus Aufidius in the 2011 film Coriolanus, a modernized adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. He also played Sam Childers in the 2011 action biopic Machine Gun Preacher.

Colin Firth As George VI In 'The King's Speech'

Colin Firth

Colin Andrew Firth  (born 10 September 1960) is an English actor who has received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. In 2010, Firth's portrayal of King George VI in Tom Hooper's The King's Speech won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. Identified in the late 1980s with the "Brit Pack" of rising, young British actors, it was not until his portrayal of Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 1995 television adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that he received more widespread attention.

Patrick McGoohan As Edward I Of England ('Longshanks') In 'Braveheart'

Patrick McGoohan

Patrick Joseph McGoohan (19 March 1928 – 13 January 2009) was an Irish-American actor, screenwriter and director. He began his career in the United Kingdom in the 1950s, relocating to the United States in the 1970s. His career-defining roles were in the British television series Danger Man (US: Secret Agent) and the surreal psychological drama The Prisoner, which he co-created. He received the Primetime Emmy Award twice and the BAFTA once.

At least as far back as Shakespeare, kings have made for meaty dramatic roles, and actors have lined up to play them. We've gathered some of the most ...