Top 10 Actors Who Looked EXACTLY Like the Real Life Killers They Played

“Black Bird” (2022)
Paul Walter Hauser is best known for his work in movies like “BlacKkKlansman” and “Cruella.” But he went dark for his role as American serial killer Larry Hall in Apple TV+’s “Black Bird.” The 2022 limited series sees Taron Egerton’s Jimmy Keene work with authorities to pry a confession out of the suspected serial killer. To pull off Hall’s distinct look, hair and makeup teams outfitted the actor in muttonchop sideburns, or “burnsides,” as Hall called them. And while he only had a small example to work with, Hauser also managed to mimic Hall’s unsettlingly high-pitched voice and awkward behavior. His performance was so convincing that he nabbed both the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe awards for Best Supporting Actor.

“The Girl from Plainville” (2022)
Elle Fanning plays a fictionalized Catherine the Great on a hit Hulu series, but for “The Girl From Plainville,” she had the challenge of playing someone in the modern world. The young actress portrays Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for sending texts encouraging her boyfriend Conrad Royhim to take his own life in 2014. Fanning relied on hair, makeup, and wardrobe for her transformation, which included a tan and freckles. In court footage of Carter, her look changed noticeably over the brief period. Fanning’s resemblance to Carter was uncanny once she donned the dark eyebrows, which were arguably the most defining physical feature.

“American Crime Story” (2016-)
As with other actors working for Ryan Murphy, “Glee” star Darren Criss was cast in the series creator’s other projects. He really got to show off his range in the sophomore season of “American Crime Story,” subtitled “The Assassination of Gianni Versace.” Criss stepped into the lead role of Andrew Cunanan, the spree killer who killed the famed Italian designer, his fourth victim, in 1997. An important element is that both criminal and actor had similar national heritage, adding more authenticity to the portrayal, since the industry has a history of white-washing. The two young men already looked similar but the actor also balanced Cunanan’s intense, oft-changing emotions. Criss nabbed an Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, and SAG Award for his lead performance.

“Chapter 27” (2007)
If you’ve ever read, or heard of J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye,” you likely also know about Mark David Chapman, the crazed fan who shot and killed John Lennon in 1980. “Chapter 27” has actor-musician Jared Leto portraying Chapman, whose obsession with the book’s protagonist, and declining mental health, led to his murder of the former Beatles icon. Leto loves a complete transformation, so when it came to becoming Chapman, he was all in. He gained over 60 pounds, significantly changing the way he carried himself. The commitment is admirable but this method later had a serious effect on his health. Unfortunately, “Chapter 27” didn’t do well with critics and audiences. However, Leto received praise for his performance.

“The Act” (2019)
Unlike some actors on this list, Joey King didn’t really physically resemble the real-life person she portrays in Hulu’s “The Act.” The series is based on the tragic story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who kept her daughter chronically ill from a young age. Gypsy eventually discovered the truth and allegedly conspired with her boyfriend Nick Godejohn to kill Dee Dee. Years of unnecessary surgeries and medical treatments affected Gypsy’s teeth and hair growth, and she used a wheelchair, requiring King to physically transform for the role. The actress shaved her head, wore fake teeth, and mimicked Gypsy’s childlike tone of voice. With the help of wardrobe, King nailed the overall look, capturing “the essence of Gypsy.”

“Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” (2019)
When the first set of photos of Netflix’s “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” came out, fans were shocked by Zac Efron’s eerie resemblance to Ted Bundy. In the 2019 film, told from the perspective of Bundy’s longtime girlfriend Elizabeth, Efron perfectly embodies Bundy’s fake charm and manipulative nature. While Bundy’s appearance was part of what made him so effective in his horrors, some thought casting the attractive actor romanticized the serial killer. Efron is far from the first, and definitely not the last, actor to portray Ted Bundy. In 2021’s “No Man of God,” Luke Kirby delivered a phenomenal performance as Bundy right before the killer’s execution. He similarly had an uncanny resemblance, which only increased with his spot-on facial expressions and speech.

“Des” (2020)
David Tennant is no stranger to playing a villain, but he took on his darkest role in ITV’s “Des,” a three-part limited series about Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen. The British actor certainly resembled him, but for this project, he transformed to fully embody the murderer, even emulating his signature. Nilsen was accused of murdering at least a dozen men but was only charged with six killings and two attempted murders. The series follows his 1983 arrest, trial, and time spent with a biographer. We don’t see Nilsen committing the crimes, so Tennant’s performance has to carry the film, with his thick accent, mannerisms, and his matter-of-fact, almost bored way of talking about his heinous acts. His chilling portrayal earned him the International Emmy Award for Best Actor.

“Monster” (2003)
Everyone knows Charlize Theron is one of the best actresses in the business. The role that particularly cemented her place as a brilliant performer was as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003’s “Monster,” which was directed by Patty Jenkins. Wuornos was a former sex worker in Florida who received multiple death sentences for the men she murdered from 1989 to 1990. For this role, before she went through the long process of hair, make-up, prosthetics, and wardrobe, Theron put on roughly 30 pounds. The remarkable physical transformation made her unrecognizable ,but her dedication to the role and dramatic talents sealed the deal. Theron famously won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2004.

“Mindhunter” (2017-19) & “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” (2019)
Netflix’s “Mindhunter” was known for its impeccable casting, particularly finding actors who strongly resemble serial killers, like Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper and Oliver Cooper as David Berkowitz. In one episode of “Mindhunter” the characters Bill and Holden conduct an increasingly tense interview with an incarcerated Charles Manson, who is perfectly portrayed by Damon Herriman. And that same year the Aussie actor played a younger version of Manson in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.” While neither project offered Herriman much screen time, it says a lot that Herriman was cast as the infamous cult leader in not one but two different projects, and at different ages no less.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Zach Villa as Richard Ramirez, “American Horror Story” (2011-)
Villa’s Remblance to the Night Stalker Is Shockingly Accurate

David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo, “Boston Strangler” (2023)
Dastmalchian’s Brief Screen Time Makes a Huge Impact

Brian Dennehy as John Wayne Gacy, “To Catch a Killer” (1992)
Dennehy Embodies the Horror Behind the Clown Facade

John Cusack as Robert Hansen, “The Frozen Ground” (2013)
Cusack Perfectly Captures the Unassuming Essence of the “Butcher Baker”

“Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” (2022)
People were shocked when former Disney star Ross Lynch was cast to play a young Jeffrey Dahmer in 2017’s “My Friend Dahmer.” But his natural resemblance and solid performance proved that he was the perfect choice. Evan Peters, on the other hand, gained prominence for his stellar work on Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story,” often as villainous characters. So, it was less surprising when he signed on for Murphy’s Dahmer series. Peters portrays the serial killer from his younger years in Ohio to when he was an adult in Milwaukee. Peters nails the Wisconsin accent and awkward physicality of Dahmer, and the distinct glasses and blonde hair really transform him. While the series itself provoked backlash, no one could deny Peters’ eerily accurate portrayal.

Which actor had you doing a double take? Let us know in the comments below.