Have you ever seen a young actor who you thought looked exactly like an old Hollywood icon ? Oh, yes, that’s right. When I first laid my eyes on Beverly Hills 90210 (the old series) Luke Perry, I thought he resembled James Dean to a tee. So that definitely happens.
Therefore, I thought it would be fun to pick a few old-time actors who deserve a biopic and the younger stars who can play them. Check these out and let me know what you think.
Doris Day
Did you know that Doris Day began her career as a big band singer? Oh, yeah, that’s right. She then embarked on a solo career and even recorded over 650 songs. Wow! Her movie career began during the Golden Age of Hollywood in 1948 with a film called Romance on the High Seas . She went on to star with such Hollywood icons as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra.
Julianne Hough
So what do you think of my pick to pay Doris Day, huh? I think Julianne Hough could pull it off. She’s pretty versatile if you asked me. She’s not only a fantastic dancer but also dabbled in movies too. I think this is the type of role she could sink her teeth in, alright.
Ann-Margret
Ann-Margret’s singing and acting careers span six decades, starting in 1961. Wow! Isn’t that amazing or what? She’s known in Hollywood for such iconic films as Viva Las Vegas , The Cincinnati Kid , and Tommy . She’s also a singer and was once billed as a female Elvis because of her sultry, vibrant contralto voice.
Jessica Chastain
Why did I pick Jessica Chastain to play Ann-Margret? Well, for one, she can definitely pull off her voice, no? Also, you can’t deny the resemblance of this redhead. And, of course, it goes without saying Chastain has the appropriate acting chops.
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth achieved fame during the 1940s as one of the era’s top stars. Get this — she appeared in 61 films over 37 years. Nice! The press even called her “The Love Goddess” after she had become the most glamorous screen idol of the 1940s.
Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes’ breakout role was alongside Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke in Training Day . This led to such films as Ghost Rider where she starred with Nicolas Cage and then joined him again in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans . I think her stunning beauty and acting range make her a good fit to play Rita Hayworth. Do you agree?
Sidney Poitier
Did you know that Sidney Poitier was the first African American actor and Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor? Oh, yeah. His immense acting talent paved the way for other African American actors to join his rank. It would be quite a feat to portray him on the silver screen.
Idris Elba
If there’s one man that can fill the shoes of Sidney Poitier I believe it’s Idris Elba. He already portrayed an iconic man before when he played Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom . So do you think he would be up to the challenge to play Poitier? I think so.
Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck became one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. His career began in theatre, appearing in many stage productions and three Broadway plays. He starred alongside Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday , which earned him a Golden Globe Award. Some of his other notable roles include Moby Dick , Cape Fear , and The Omen .
Miles Teller
I’m currently watching Miles Teller in the TV series The Offer . He’s spectacular in it as Al Ruddy, the producer of The Godfather . Not only do I think he has the acting chops to play Gregory Peck, but I also believe he resembles the young Peck to a tee. What do you make of that?
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was the original “bad girl” of 1930s Hollywood. She was also often nicknamed the “Blonde Bombshell” and the “Platinum Blonde.” Even though she was only in the film industry for nine years she became that era’s biggest star. The American Film Institute named Harlow No. 22 among their greatest female screen legends of classic Hollywood cinema.
Florence Pugh
If there’s one actress I think can truly portray Jean Harlow in a movie biopic is Florence Pugh. This girl is on fire, hee-hee. I was so impressed with her performance in Black Widow and the TV show Hawkeye . I really think she can pull this role off spectacularly. Do you agree with me?
Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood Wood appeared in over 20 films as a youngster, alongside Maureen O’Hara , Jimmy Stewart, Bette Davis, and Bing Crosby. She was even nominated for an Oscar when she was only sixteen-year-old for her supporting role in Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean . Her tragic drowing death only lends to the mystery of this Hollywood star.
RELATED STORIES
Michelle Williams
I first noticed Michelle Williams on the show Dawson’s Creek . She later transitioned into low – profile film roles, but her big breakthrough came with the drama film Brokeback Mountain .
Since then, she’s gone on to play emotionally troubled women coping with loss or loneliness in such independent dramas as Wendy and Lucy , Blue Valentine , and Manchester by the Sea . I think she has the right stuff to play charismatic Natalie Wood.
Elizabeth Taylor
Now, who can forget Elizabeth Taylor? She was definitely a Hollywood icon. She played Cleopatra for crying out loud and even became the world’s highest-paid movie star in the 1960s. Oh my gosh. After her movie career was done she dedicated the rest of her life to philanthropy and received the Presidential Citizens Medal.
Rachel Weisz
So apparently, Rachel Weisz was already in talks to play Elizabeth Taylor in a biopic called A Special Relationship , but that was back in 2019. I’m not sure what happened to this movie, but I still think Weisz is a great choice to play Taylor. She has the versatility to play such an iconic Hollywood icon.
Marilyn Monroe
There’s no doubt that Marilyn Monroe stole everyone’s heart not only in Hollywood but all over the world. She was definitely one of a kind. With her stunning looks and bubbling personality Marilyn became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s.
Ana de Armas
Ana de Armas is a Cuban and Spanish actress who began her acting career in Cuba. She later moved to Madrid and starred in the popular teen drama El Internado . After that, she moved to Los Angeles and began acting in English-speaking films such as War Dogs , Blade Runner 2049 , and Knives Out .
Ana is about to portray Marilyn Monroe in the Netflix biopic Blonde , which is premiering later in September. Apparently, she bears quite a striking resemblance to the late cinema legend and I’m so looking forward to seeing that.
So what do you think of my picks here?
Do you agree with them, or would you pick somebody else to portray these classic Hollywood icons? I know there are plenty of actors who would like to throw their hats into the ring, but only one can get the job. Am I right? I guess time will tell if my predictions were on point or not.