Top 10 Best Casting Decisions for Biopics
#10: Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote “Capote” (2005)
Top 10 Best Philip Seymour Hoffman Performances
The erudite Southern author of “In Cold Blood” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was known for his flamboyant personality and his wild, and sometimes dubious, anecdotes. In the 2005 biopic directed by Bennett Miller, Philip Seymour Hoffman embodies the author through the vocal tics and mannerisms that made him such a luminous character. But the Oscar-winning performance is more than just mimicry. Hoffman also brings to life the late Capote’s showmanship and unfailing ability to dazzle any audience before him. Whether it’s a crowd of admirers in a lecture hall or a family in a small-town Kansas kitchen, Hoffman shows what made the real-life Truman Capote so irresistibly charming.
#9: Austin Butler as Elvis “Elvis” (2022)
Jacob Elordi as Elvis in Priscilla (2023) VS Austin Butler as Elvis (2022)
Up until 2022, Austin Butler was mostly known for his appearances in teen and young adult television shows, with some sparse movie and theater work in between. But with his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s frenetic biopic, the young actor came almost fully made. Butler embodies the King of Rock and Roll, nailing his distinctive vocal delivery and enchanting stage presence. As impressive as Butler’s performance is, the most surprising thing about it is he never feels like an impersonator. His Elvis is not a collection of clichés and quirks, but a complex, well-rounded human portrayal. By the end of the movie, you just can’t help falling in love with Austin Butler.
#8: O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube “Straight Outta Compton” (2015)
Top 10 Biopics That Left Out The Real Ending
When the N.W.A biopic was announced in 2009, rumors soon spread that some members of the rap group would be played by their real-life children. This rumor came true with the casting of Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr.. Although it might be easy to assume an actor has a leg up when asked to play their own parent, Jackson Jr. proves that a captivating performance is a lot more than just resemblance. The gifted performer, who made his film debut in “Straight Outta Compton,” felt protective over the role because he didn’t want another actor making his dad look crazy. His electrifying portrayal was praised by critics and earned him, along with the other cast members, a SAG Award nomination.
#7: Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf “La Vie en Rose” (2007)
The legendary French chanteuse, Édith Piaf, was known for her small stature and big voice. That’s why she was often called “La Môme Piaf,” or “the little sparrow.” Oscar winner Marion Cotillard underwent an extensive makeup transformation and several months of shooting to fully embody Piaf. She later admitted this experience made it difficult for her to leave the character behind, which is not hard to believe considering how she totally disappears into the role. From the singer’s teenage years to her early death at the age of 47, the actress is tasked with playing a woman whose suffering slowly catches up with her. And just like the real-life Piaf, Cotillard’s performance stays at a 10 throughout the entire film.
#6: Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan “I’m Not There” (2007)
Top 10 Most Impressive Cate Blanchett Accents
Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There” is far from the standard biopic. In order to capture the many eras and personas of the elusive Bob Dylan, Haynes took an unconventional approach. He cast six different actors to play the iconic singer-songwriter at various stages of his life. Portraying Dylan of the mid-60s, when he infamously played an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival, Cate Blanchett offers an image of the singer at his angriest and most embattled. She somehow manages to accurately capture his disillusionment and vulnerability in the same breath. It’s a baffling casting choice that works not just because Blanchett is a woman playing a male character, but because she’s so good, she makes you forget that completely.
#5: Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980)
Not every biopic actor is lucky enough to be chosen by the film’s subject, but for 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, Sissy Spacek was handpicked by Loretta Lynn herself. The country superstar was so gung-ho that she prematurely announced Spacek’s casting before she had even accepted the part. Even if the performer wasn’t sure she could do the role justice, the eventual movie certainly proves she had nothing to worry about. Her spunk and energy in the film are contagious - a fact that critics, awards bodies, and the public were all on board with. Not only that, but after some firsthand coaching by Lynn, Spacek took on the daunting task of doing her own singing in the movie, and absolutely crushed it!
#4: Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash “Walk the Line” (2005)
Top 10 Joaquin Phoenix Performances
Speaking of actors who had to sing in biopics, Joaquin Phoenix not only portrayed Johnny Cash in 2005’s “Walk the Line”, he had to master his distinctive bass-baritone voice. After reading the film’s script, Phoenix initially thought there were several other actors who might be better suited for the role. Still, he was cast in the part - a decision that certainly did the film a lot of good. Phoenix rises to the challenge here, portraying the rebellious Southern boy from Arkansas with an unmistakable swagger. People who knew the country music giant even said the lines became so blurred sometimes, they could hardly tell it was Joaquin Phoenix, and not Johnny Cash on the soundtrack.
#3: Denzel Washington as Malcolm X “Malcolm X” (1992)
Top 10 Denzel Washington Performances
Few leaders were as passionate and controversial as Malcolm X. To capture the true essence of such a figure on-screen, Spike Lee required an actor who could equal the activist in power and intensity. Needless to say, he found his guy in Denzel Washington. Juggling the various sides of a character is every actor’s burden, and when it’s one as complex and visible as this, the task is twice as hard. But Washington brings such an ease to the performance that he practically becomes Malcolm X. The actor earned accolades and critical praise for the role, but even more important, his portrayal helped reframe and even dispel long-held notions about one of America’s most complicated activists.
#2: Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II “The Queen” (2006)
A decade before the Netflix series “The Crown” captivated audiences the world over, Helen Mirren gave a lauded portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. “The Queen” takes place over several days following Princess Diana’s 1997 death, recounting one of the most challenging moments of the monarch’s 70-year reign. In the titular role, Mirren manages to act up a storm while accurately portraying the sovereign ruler’s famously controlled and dignified manner. Her performance allowed audiences to see the Queen as a human being, rather than the stoic figurehead of the monarchy. Even Her Majesty was reportedly so impressed with her portrayal that she invited Mirren to dinner at Buckingham Palace sometime after the movie’s release. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, “The Doors” (1991) Kilmer Is Explosive as Frontman Jim Morrison in This Oliver Stone Biopic Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, “The Iron Lady” (2011) The Queen of Movie Accents Nails Margaret Thatcher’s Iconic Mannerisms & Iron Will Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, “Lincoln” (2012) Day-Lewis Fills the Big Shoes & Hat of This American Legend Martin Landau as Béla Lugosi, “Ed Wood” (1994) This Hollywood Veteran Brought Humor & Spirit to His Performance as Béla Lugosi Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi, “Gandhi” (1982) As the Father of Indian Independence, Kingsley Was Praised for His Majesty and Grace
#1: Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles “Ray” (2004)
Top 10 Jamie Foxx Performances
Although he was no stranger to movies at the time, Jamie Foxx was not the first choice to play Ray Charles in this 2004 biopic. However, many years later, it’s clear he was the right choice. Like so many performances on this list, Foxx’s portrayal of Charles could’ve easily relied on mannerisms to get the point across. But what he brings to the role truly transcends biopic mimicry. His Ray Charles is so spot on, other artists have featured his impression on their own original tracks. When it comes to leaving a mark on the culture, Foxx’s performance in the role is almost as legendary as the man who inspired it.
