11 Stars Who Became Real People So Convincingly, It’s Hard to Tell the Difference

From elaborate makeup to groundbreaking special effects, Hollywood has long mastered the art of transformation. This time, though, the magic comes from the actors themselves. Beyond their undeniable talent, they astonished audiences with striking resemblances to the real people they portrayed.

1. Lily James as Pamela Anderson

Lily James drew media attention for her transformation into Pamela Anderson in the new series, Pam & Tommy. She had to study every detail of Anderson to master the resemblance from the inside out. James went through a 6-month physical transformation to achieve Anderson’s muscle tone.

On set, it took over 3 hours a day to complete her transformation with wigs, blue contact lenses, facial prosthetics, spray tanning, and a set of 34DD breasts that were glued and airbrushed onto her chest.

2. Julia de Nunez as Brigitte Bardot

In Bardot, Julia de Nunez brings to life the rise of legendary French actress and model Brigitte Bardot, capturing the spirit that shaped a cultural icon. Spanning from 1949 — when a young Bardot first appeared on a fashion magazine cover — to the birth of her son in 1960, the series portrays Bardot as more than a star. Through de Nunez, she emerges as a lifestyle symbol of effortless beauty, freedom, and timeless French allure.

3. Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani

Popstar Lady Gaga was one of the best options to star in one of the biggest scandals in the world of fashion. She was cast to play Patrizia Reggiani in the movie, House of Gucci. Lady Gaga dug deep into her life and events to understand Reggiani’s behavior. Haute couture and jewelry added the extra touch to her resemblance to the character.

4. Jared Leto as Adam Neumann

For the latest series, WeCrashed, Jared Leto plays the role of former WeWork CEO Adam Neumann. But before portraying the character, Leto did some research and secretly met with the CEO to brief him on his portrayal. This was part of a personal obligation Leto felt to portray Neumann with respect and dignity.

5. Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye

Jessica Chastain shined so brightly as Tammy Faye that her performance earned her an Oscar for Best Actress. She spent years looking for the opportunity to play Tammy in the biopic, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which portrays the life of the famous Christian broadcast star and wife of Jim Baker.

To get into character, Chastain had to jump in the most extreme way. The transformation required a team of makeup, hair, and costume artists. Focusing on the real Tammy Faye’s extravagant makeup, Chastain mastered her signature lashes and brought the character to life in the most authentic way possible.

6. Austin Butler as Elvis Presley

The new Elvis biopic movie will premiere in 2022, starring Austin Butler as the iconic rock and roll singer, Elvis Presley. Butler, who has played the guitar since he was 13 years old, prepared for the role with great enthusiasm and commitment, taking his transformative skills as a young Elvis to the next level.

7. Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

Being the Ricardos is the name of the film in which Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The film replaces the traditional biographical format with a different perspective. It is a behind-the-scenes look at a week of the I Love Lucy sitcom show that made Ball and Arnaz famous. Kidman replaced Cate Blanchett in the role, making this a major challenge in her career.

8. Julia Garner as Anna Delvey

If you ever meet Julia Garner in person, you’ll most likely discover that she is nothing like Anna Delvey. And precisely, that is her secret to personifying this character with such grace as the false German heiress in the Netflix series, Inventing Anna. To fully transform into Anna Delvey, Garner learned to nail her accent, adopted her mannerisms, fashion choices, and basically her magnetic essence.

9. Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel

It was not only the resemblance to the fashion designer that gave Audrey Tautou the opportunity to play Coco Chanel. Boasting French nationality, a petite stature, deep black eyes, and a singular personality and talent, Tautou was the chosen actress to star in the movie, Coco Before Chanel.

10. Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin

Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Aretha Franklin in her latest film, Respect. Before Franklin passed away in 2018, she personally selected Jennifer Hudson to play her in the biopic. Hudson was not only instructed by the singer herself to play the role, but her talent and likeness also won the hearts of the producers.

11. Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace

Penélope Cruz’s portrayal of Donatella Versace feels like a natural fusion of two style icons. With platinum hair, sharp silhouettes, and unmistakable confidence, she captures Donatella’s fearless femininity and strength in Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story. More than a fashion legend, this version of Donatella emerges as a lifestyle symbol — bold, resilient, and unapologetically glamorous.

Take a look at our other article exploring historical figures we know only through art — and what they actually looked like.