Actors and historical characters

Stars who portrayed historical figures

We’re all intrigued by the lives of history’s most famous people, and so is Hollywood. John Travolta is the latest star to take on a historical role as a notorious American mobster. Check out this list of actors and actresses who dared to imitate real-life characters.


John Travolta

The former greaser won’t have to extend his acting range much to inhabit the character of a man nicknamed “Dapper Don” Gotti , not to mention the most powerful crime boss in America during the 1980s.

Johnny Depp

In 2009, Depp captivated audiences when he played a Depression-era gangster who rose to “Public Enemy No. 1” status for his dozens of bank heists.

Cate Blanchett

Sixteenth-century England was the setting for this 2007 film, in which Cate Blanchett depicts the rise of a young queen. The film earned the actress international attention and lead to many major movie parts.

Elizabeth Taylor

In this 1963 classic, Elizabeth Taylor was said to be completely immersed in the role of the alluring Queen of Egypt that many said she was born to play. Though, the $44 million dollar film nearly bankrupt the studio.

Joaquin Phoenix

Phoenix portrays a troubled and legendary country singer in this biopic. Did he actually sing those famous tunes?

Meryl Streep

In the City of Light with her husband in the 1950s, Streep’s boisterous character struggles to find something useful to do. After a go at hat-making and bridge, she stumbles upon a vocation that changes the eating strategies of millions of Americans.

Tom Hanks

The year is 1970, the mission is dangerous, and an unlucky number seems to be sending three men to their demise in outer space. It’s a story of survival, heroism, and faith and Hanks shines as the captain.

Robert Redford

Jason Robards and Hal Holbrook played alongside Redford as a crusading reporter in this riveting drama set in the nation’s capital. This true story had all the makings of box office gold: crooks, cold trails and a mysterious whistle blower.

David Strathairn

Strathairn played a crusading broadcast journalist in the 1950s whose series of TV news reports lead to the censure of a certain Wisconsin senator . The film was written by a Hollywood leading man.

Helen Mirren

As the monarch the Commonwealth realms, Mirren’s character refuses to honor the death of her son’s very popular ex-wife. The resulting turmoil causes friction with a politician played by Michael Sheen.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his moving portrayal of a singing legend who suffered an impairment since the age of 7. Listen to one of his most famous songs.

Henry Fonda

An American director famous for his westerns directed Fonda in this tale of a future president’s salad days in an Illinois city.

Kirk Douglas

Douglas won a Golden Globe for this 1956 biopic of one of the world’s most talented–and impoverished–artists. It’s directed by the father of a famous female singer and actress.

James Stewart

A famous American director both wrote and directed this 1957 film about one of aviation’s greatest heroes. Stewart’s character had a fitting nickname.

George C. Scott

Francis Ford Coppola had a hand in crafting the story behind this 1970 classic, in which Scott portrayed a World War II Army officer.  Much of it was set in the second-largest continent.

Anthony Hopkins

A legendary scandal brought down the embattled 37th President of the United States, portrayed by Hopkins in this 1995 film, which was nominated for four Oscars.

Denzel Washington

In an Oscar-nominated role directed by Spike Lee, Washington plays a troubled youth who becomes a controversial human rights leader, and later assumes the name El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz.

Robert Downey Jr.

This 1992 movie also starred Anthony Hopkins, Dan Aykroyd and Kevin Kline, who played one of the most famous actors of his day. A blood relative of the tragicomic figure Downey portrayed was also included.

Madonna

Andrew Lloyd Webber won an Oscar for best original song in this 1996 musical about the famous wife of an Argentinian president, played by Madonna.

Sean Penn

Penn won the top acting prize for his role as the first openly gay man elected top public office in this 2008 biopic.

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Celebrity Babies of 2010

 

Celebrity Babies of 2010

Celeb babies of 2010

Celebrity Babies of 2010

Lights, camera … diapers! See which stars added some precious new faces to their entourages this year. They include a fashion designer, an actor turned producer and a healthy-cuisine visionary.

Nina Garcia

Nina Garcia

Fashion director (at which magazine?) and reality star Garcia and her husband welcomed a baby boy on Nov. 29. He is the couple’s second son (who’s his big brother?).

John Travolta & Kelly Preston

John Travolta & Kelly Preston

Though still mourning last year’s sudden loss of 16-year-old son, Jett, the Hollywood couple (together how long?) became the proud parents of a baby boy on Nov. 23. Their daughter, who’s already starting her acting career, is now a big sister.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

The animal-friendly fashion designer — with a celebrity dad of her own — welcomed her fourth child on Nov. 23 (how much did she weigh?). The baby girl joins three older siblings.

Chris Daughtry

Chris Daughtry

The rock front man (hear a track) and American Idol alum joined his wife, Deanna, in welcoming boy-and-girl twins on Nov. 17. This makes four for the couple who already have a son and daughter. Here are the details on the twins' birth.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris

The former child actor who has conquered the small screen and is on to the theater became a dad this year. On Oct. 12, he and his partner became the parents of boy-and-girl twins.

Céline Dion

Celine Dion

On Oct. 23, Canadian mega-star Dion (hear her signature song) and her husband-manager welcomed twins. They were conceived with the help of modern science. The twins join a big brother, and all three kids are already getting used to the spotlight.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon

Damon debuted more than just a Western remake and an Eastwood project this year. His wife, Luciana, gave birth to a baby girl on Oct. 20. She is the couple’s third (see big sis pics). Baby’s got an older stepsister, too.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys

The singer/actress (what’s her real name?) gave birth to her first son on Oct. 14. Her music producer husband has three children from previous relationships, including a tumultuous marriage to another singer. Happy mommy Keys has been blogging about her bliss.

James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek

The former teen actor (what was his most recent role?) and wife  Kimberly  became first-time parents on Sept. 25. Read his ecstatic tweet.

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver

This healthy-cuisine visionary (what’s his stage name) added another place setting to the family table. His wife, Juliette, welcomed a baby boy into their flock of daughters (all with fun-loving names) on Sept. 15. This is his nickname for his youngest gourmand.

Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez

Lopez — a teen heartthrob (click here to swoon) turned celeb host — became a proud papa on Sept. 11. His wife, Courtney, gave birth to a girl who’s already a TV star (watch clips), not to mention a budding model. What was his take on childbirth?

Rachel Dratch

Rachel Dratch

Since announcing her pregnancy, the 'SNL' alum (clip) kept the media guessing about the dad (he’s no longer a secret). Their son was born Aug. 24. Wonder if she’s scheduled play dates with this new mom.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler

The comedienne (watch and laugh) and her funnyman husband introduced their 2-year-old son to a new baby brother, born Aug. 6.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams

The enchanting screen star and her actor fiancé welcomed their first child on May 15. Adams earned an Oscar nod for her role as a mom-to-be. Maybe she’ll watch her upcoming project with her daughter.

Claudia Schiffer

Claudia Schiffer

One of the original supermodels (see pictures) gave birth to a baby girl on May 14. She and her producer husband (what’s his latest hit?) have two other little ones.

Christina Milian

Christina Milian

R&B singers Milian (watch her in action) and her then-husband (who is he?) made beautiful music together; hence, a baby girl was born on Feb. 26. See her out on the town.

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

After struggling with this condition, the dishy TV hostess and her now-ex-boyfriend brought a healthy baby girl into the world on Feb. 20 (see baby’s day out).

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg

The actor-turned-producer (for which show?) and his model wife, Rhea Durham, welcomed another little girl into their family — they already have three kids — on Jan. 11.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey

The actor (watch his latest trailer) and his TV hostess wife, Camila Alves (which show?), had their second child Jan. 3. The couple had their older son in 2008.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock

The Oscar winner didn’t have time to dwell on the negative. In January, she adopted a baby boy from this city and is now enjoying motherhood (see his turn as a coverbaby).

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70s Fashion icons Where Are They Now 70s Edition

 

70s Fashion icons

From bell-bottoms to butterfly collars to platform shoes, the '70s gave us some of the flyest fashions. These are just a few of the people who inspired us to groovy new heights.

The Jackson 5

Then: After a string of hit songs, the family act showcased its signature look on a short-lived variety series.

Now: A 2009 reality show documented the band's efforts to reunite. What happened during filming? 

Twiggy

Then: The rail-thin Brit retired from the modeling biz in 1970 (why?) but had a successful career in the '70s, despite growing out her signature hairdo.

Now: She's been a judge on a reality TV show and stars in a British advertising campaign.

John Travolta

Then: His iconic white suit (and dance moves) in this classic movie and slicked-back hair and leather jacket in this musical inspired a generation of guys.

Now: He took on a completely different look for a 2007 film and went follicle-free for an action flick earlier this year.

Bo Derek

Then: Her leg was bitten off in this film, but it was her braids and bathing suit in this movie that shot her to stardom.

Now: She has her own line of pet care products and will be serving on a California state board.

David Bowie

Then: His androgynous alter ego was a big part of this musical genre, but he took on another persona in the late '70s.

Now: The chameleon rocker has gone on to a successful acting career and is working on a new book.

Pam Grier

Then: The blaxploitation actress rocked the foxy 'fro as a butt-kickin' babe in several movies.

Now: She's been cast as a villain on this CW superhero series and shared her life story in a new book.

'Charlie's Angels'

Then: Their feathered 'dos inspired a generation of women, and Farrah Fawcett's red swimsuit adorned young men's walls across the country.

Now: They reunited in 2006 to pay tribute to a late TV legend. One of the Angels died three years later.

Sex Pistols

Then: The British punk band made ripped-up T-shirts and spiked hair look cool, and their fashion legacy lives on today.

Now: The band -- minus its most infamous member -- has reunited several times and released an unusual product earlier this year.

Debbie Harry

Then: Harry became famous for her trademark hair as lead singer of this band before embarking on a successful solo career.

Now: She and the band inspired a new line of sneakers and are releasing a new album.

Beverly Johnson

Then: The groundbreaking supermodel was the first black model on the cover of this magazine before becoming an actress.

Now: She was a judge on a modeling reality show and launched her own line of hair care products.

Crystal Gayle

Then: She had several No. 1 country hits and had a head of hair many women envied.

Now: She is still touring the world with that famous hair and received a big honor last year.

Richard Roundtree

Then: The former model was the epitome of cool as a private detective in this film trilogy and co-starred in a hit disaster movie.

Now: He played John Shaft's uncle in this remake and appeared in the first season of this prime-time drama.

Dorothy Hamill

Then: The ice skater won the gold at these Olympics and spawned a million copycat hairdos.

Now: She battled cancer (what kind?) and is still skating around the country.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Then: The former first lady (pictures) continued her role as a fashion icon as a billionaire's wife.

Now: She died in 1994 (how?), but her fashion influence can still be seen today.

'The Brady Bunch' 

Then: It was all bell-bottoms and butterfly collars for TV's most famous blended family.

Now: The entire cast reunited for a made-for-TV movie before this actor died (how?).

Mary Tyler Moore

Then: She played the single gal with a successful career and a wicked sense of style.

Now: She's an animal-rights activist and raises awareness for this disease (which she has).

Diana Ross

Then: The former Supreme struck out on her own and became a disco-era icon.

Now: She was a mentor on this singing competition show and is currently on tour.

Elton John

Then: Known for his outrageous costumes and stage antics, the singer had a string of hits in the '70s.

Now: His crazy style inspired a younger piano-playing singer, and he is releasing a new album

Lauren Hutton

Then: She was one of the world's first supermodels despite this famous "flaw."

Now: She posed nude at the age of 61 and started her own makeup line.

Diane Keaton

Then: The trademark vintage men's clothing (pictures) she donned in this movie is still fashionable today.

Now: She remains a fashion icon at 64 and is a spokeswoman for this cosmetics company.

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