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

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

Bob Dylan holding a cigarette, dressed in a casual shirt and jacket
Evening Standard / Getty Images

Here's Timothée Chalamet as Bob in the upcoming movie A Complete Unknown (2024).

Timothée Chalamet, with tousled hair, stands indoors holding a stethoscope around his neck in a scene from a TV show or movie
Searchlight Pictures

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

Split image featuring black-and-white photo of Bob Dylan on the left and a scene from the movie "I'm Not There," with actor playing Dylan on the right
Evening Standard / Getty Images / Searchlight Pictures

2.This is Amy Winehouse, who was best known for her deeper-sounding voice and jazz influence.

Amy Winehouse stands on stage wearing a strapless black dress, with tattoos visible on her arms, and her hair styled in a beehive with flower accessories
Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images for NARAS

Here's Marisa Abela as Amy in the movie Back to Black (2024).

A singer with a beehive hairstyle and tattoos, wearing a black dress, performs on stage. A band plays in the background
StudioCanal / youtube.com

And here's a side-by-side of Amy Winehouse and Marisa Abela in the movie.

Amy Winehouse and Jaime Winstone stand side by side, both styled in black strapless dresses with large hair and gold heart necklaces, in a setting with a red and black backdrop
Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images for NARAS / StudioCanal / youtube.com

3.This is Bob Marley, who is best known as one of the main pioneers of the reggae genre.

Bob Marley passionately singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a jacket, with his dreadlocks flowing dynamically
Kirk West / Getty Images

Here's Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob in the movie One Love (2024).

Musician passionately playing guitar and singing on stage with dynamic lighting and expressive posture
Chiabella James / © Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

And here's a side-by-side of Bob Marley and Kingsley Ben-Adir in the movie.

Comparison of two images of Bob Marley: one in black and white singing into a microphone, the other in color playing a guitar on stage
Kirk West / Getty Images / Chiabella James / © Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

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

Elvis Presley playing the guitar and singing
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

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

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley singing and playing the guitar
Warner Bros.

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
Getty Images / Warner Bros.

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

Elton John sitting on a couch
Michael Putland / Getty Images

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

Taron Egerton sitting on a couch
David Appleby / Paramount / Everett Collection

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
Getty Images / Paramount / Everett Collection

6.This is Whitney Houston, who is considered to be one of the best entertainers ever and simply dubbed "the Voice."

Whitney Houston passionately sings into a microphone, wearing a white athletic outfit and a headband, against a blurred stadium background
George Rose / Getty Images

Here's Naomi Ackie as Whitney in the movie Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022).

Anika Noni Rose singing into a microphone, wearing a white headband and a white top with a red stripe on the sleeve
Sony Pictures Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection

And here's a side-by-side of Whitney Houston and Naomi Ackie in the movie.

Whitney Houston and Naomi Ackie, dressed in similar white outfits with matching headbands, are singing into microphones
George Rose / Getty Images / Sony Pictures Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection

7.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
Phil Dent / Redferns / Getty

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

Rami Malek acting as Freddie Mercury and singing into a mic
Alex Bailey / 20th Century Fox / Everett

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
Getty / 20th Century Fox / Everett Collection

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

A portrait of a young Aretha Franklin
Rb / Redferns / Getty

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

Jennifer Hudson in a '60s style outfit and hairdo as Aretha Franklin
MGM / Everett Collection

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
Getty / Everett Collection

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

Tina Turner performing
Paul Natkin / Getty Images

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

Angela Bassett as Tina Turner, performing
Buena Vista / Courtesy Everett Collection

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
Getty Images / Buena Vista / Everett Collection

10.This is James Brown, who's dubbed the "Godfather of Soul."

Singer wearing a suit passionately performs into a microphone
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Here's Chadwick Boseman as James in the movie Get On Up (2014).

  Universal / ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
Universal / ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

And here's a side-by-side of James Brown and Chadwick Boseman in the movie.

  Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images / Universal / ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images / Universal / ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

11.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
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images

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

Sebastian Stan and Lily James in costume as Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson. Sebastian is shirtless with mouth open, and Lily is holding his chest with teeth on his torso
Hulu

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
Getty Images / Hulu

12.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
Netflix

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
youtube.com / Netflix

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

Jim Morrison looking down at something
Picture Alliance / via Getty Images

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

Val Kilmer dressed as Jim Morrison
Tristar Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

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

Jim Morrison; Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison
Getty Images / TriStar / Everett Collection

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

Selena performs on stage wearing a sparkly, two-piece outfit with flared pants and a midriff-baring top. She is holding a microphone and singing passionately
Arlene Richie / Getty Images

Here's Christian Serratos as Selena in the TV series Selena: The Series (2020–2021).

Selena Quintanilla dancing and singing on stage in a sparkling jumpsuit while musicians play instruments behind her
Sara Khalid / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

And here's a side-by-side of Selena Quintanilla and Christian Serratos in the series.

Selena Quintanilla performs in a sparkly outfit on the left, while Christian Serratos portrays her in a similar red, sparkly top on the right in the series "Selena: The Series."
Arlene Richie / Getty Images/ Sara Khalid / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection /

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

Jimi Hendrix performing onstage
David Redfern / Redferns / Getty

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

André 3000 dressed as Jimi Hendrix, playing guitar
Open Road Films / Everett Collection

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
Getty Images / Open Road Films / Everett

16.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
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

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

Gary Busey playing guitar and dressed like Buddy Holly
Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection

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

Buddy Holly; Gary Busey as Buddy Holly
Getty Images / Columbia / Everett Collection

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

Johnny Cash singing and playing guitar
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

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

Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, playing the guitar and singing
20th Century Fox / Everett Collection

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

Johnny Cash; Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash
Getty Images / 20th Century Fox / Everett Collection

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

Sid Vicious winking
Roberta Bayley / Redferns / Getty Images

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

Gary Oldman dressed as Sid Vicious
Samuel Goldwyn Films / Everett Collection

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

Sid Vicious; Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious
Getty Images / Samuel Goldwyn Films / Everett Collection

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

Judy Garland singing
Keystone / Getty Images

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

Renée Zellweger dressed as Judy Garland, singing
Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection

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

Judy Garland; Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland
Getty Images / Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection

20.This is "Weird Al" Yankovic, who is best known for his songs that parody other famous musicians'.

"Weird Al" Yankovic, dressed in a distinctive patterned shirt, sits in a vintage-styled room with bookshelves and retro decor in the background
Gary Gershoff / Getty Images

21.Here's Daniel Radcliffe as "Weird Al" in the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022).

Daniel Radcliffe dressed as Weird Al Yankovic, wearing a patterned shirt, standing in front of a wall with gold records
The Roku Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

And here's a side-by-side of "Weird Al" Yankovic and Daniel Radcliffe in the movie.

Side-by-side images of "Weird Al" Yankovic and Daniel Radcliffe in patterned shirts and glasses with curly hair and mustache
Gary Gershoff / Getty Images / The Roku Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection

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

Ray Charles playing the piano
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

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

Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, singing
Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

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

Ray Charles; Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles
Getty Images / Universal / Everett Collection

23.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
Roberta Bayley / Redferns / Getty Images

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

Kristen Stewart dressed as Joan Jett
Apparition / Everett Collection

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

Joan Jett; Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett
Getty Images / Apparition / Everett Collection