Top 20 Oscar Winning Portrayals of Real Life People

“The Theory of Everything” (2014)
Stephen Hawking rose to mainstream prominence well after he developed motor neurone disease, but this biopic focuses on the early years. It begins during his student days at Cambridge, chronicling the struggles and triumphs that followed. The role required Eddie Redmayne to gradually undergo a radical physical transformation. The actor spent six months preparing for the part and his research shines through whenever he’s on-screen. Even as Hawking loses his ability to speak and much of his muscle control, Redmayne brings out his personality through the subtlest body language. Making each mannerism count, Redmayne reminds us how witty and charming Hawking could be. Although Hawking was primarily celebrated for his mind, it’s the heart Redmayne brings to this performance that won him the Oscar.

“Milk” (2008)
In a powerful performance that netted him his second Best Actor Oscar, Penn portrayed one of the most important figures in LGBTQ+ history. Harvey Milk was California’s first openly gay individual to be elected to office. Penn overflows with hopeful determination as Milk, commanding rallies with natural charisma. As upbeat as Milk comes off around friends and supporters, he can equally hold his own in the political arena. Behind closed doors, however, Milk is burdened by his two greatest fears: that he won’t live to see his 50th birthday and that he’ll die without accomplishing anything. While his life ended in tragedy, Milk’s impact can’t be denied and Penn’s performance captures the full scope of his immeasurable legacy.

“Erin Brockovich” (2000)
By the early 2000s, Julia Roberts was overdue for an Oscar. It was her iconic portrayal of this legal clerk turned consumer advocate that finally gained Roberts entry into the Best Actress club. While Brockovich states upfront that she’s not a lawyer, she does emerge as an unlikely crusader for justice in a heated legal battle. The film does take some liberties, but Roberts gets Brockovich down to a T. She doesn’t care what other people think. She speaks her mind, dresses as she pleases, and goes after what she wants. At the same time, Brockovich constantly thinks about others, be it her children or strangers who’ve been wronged by a careless corporation. Roberts dominates the screen, much like Brockovich owns every room she enters.

“Dallas Buyers Club” (2013)
The McConaissance was in full swing in 2013, peaking with his Oscar-winning turn as Ron Woodroof. It can sometimes feel like McConaughey is playing a parody of himself in other movies, but he completely disappears into this role. McConaughey portrays the lionhearted Woodroof as a man too stubborn to die without a fight. Ron not only defies the odds his doctors give him after his AIDS diagnosis, but also breaks all the rules to distribute drugs to HIV patients. McConaughey brings an almost Robin Hood-esque quality to the role. Although Woodroof possesses an unbreakable spirit, it becomes clear that his days are numbered. McConaughey lost 47 pounds for the role and as jarring as his physical transformation is, his magnetism stands out above all else.

“Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980)
This is one biopic where the real-life figure had a fair deal of input. Country singer Loretta Lynn selected Sissy Spacek to play her, although she didn’t know the actress’s work. Lynn made the decision judging from Spacek’s photo and fortunately, her instincts paid off. Just as Lynn is initially insecure about performing in the movie, Spacek had reservations about accepting the role. After Lynn jumped the gun and announced that Spacek had signed on, though, everything came together. Vocal dubbing was discussed, but Spacek worked closely with Lynn to nail her singing voice, accent and guitar playing. It amounted to an uncanny portrayal of a woman who rose up from a difficult background to become the Queen of Country Music.

“The Hours” (2002)
Kidman couldn’t be more unrecognizable as English writer Virginia Woolf. Audiences tend to dwell on the prosthetic nose she wore for the role. Anyone who’s seen “The Hours,” though, knows why Kidman won Best Actress. Even if you take the makeup out of the equation, Kidman’s performance is transformative in more ways than one. She truly becomes Virginia Woolf, capturing the famed author’s passion, as well as her severe depression. Struggling with mental illness, Woolf feels as if she’s drowning even as she continues to breathe air. Although Kidman unearths the fear and sadness Woolf endured, she also brings out her brilliance. Woolf’s work has spoken to generations and we’ll be talking about Kidman’s performances for years to come as well.

“Ed Wood” (1994)
Talk about irony. Ed Wood was once labelled “The Worst Director of All Time”, but he inspired one of Tim Burton’s finest achievements, resulting in a Best Supporting Actor victory for Martin Landau. While you might’ve heard of Bela Lugosi, you definitely know his most famous character, Count Dracula. Unfortunately, this iconic role caused Lugosi to be typecast and a history of drug addiction didn’t help his career either. While it’s debatable if Lugosi swore as much as this film suggests, Landau absolutely nails Lugosi’s distinctive accent and mannerisms. Landau described Lugosi as “theatrical,” but he strived not to chew the scenery. Landau brings pathos and humor to the role, capturing the tragic downfall and the underappreciated talents of this wholly unique individual.

“The Last King of Scotland” (2006)
Forest Whitaker is terrifying as the “Butcher of Uganda.” And his performance is only made more horrifying knowing that Idi Amin really was a ruthless despot. Although the film mixes fact with fiction, Whitaker’s portrayal of Amin is every bit as domineering as the real deal. As chilling as Whitaker is, he can come off as surprisingly vulnerable and even cheerful at times. In some scenes, he shifts between extremes, adding to the unpredictability and intimidation. Whitaker’s portrayal is worthy of comparison to a Shakespearean villain. Amin’s actions are tough to watch, but his monologues hit the audience just as hard. While some argued he was truly a supporting player, the gravitas of Whitaker’s performance secured his place and victory in the Best Actor category.

“The Aviator” (2004)
In many respects, Cate Blanchett is the Katharine Hepburn of her generation. So, casting her as the four-time Oscar winner was an obvious choice, leading to a Best Supporting Actress victory. Before Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were Hollywood’s premier power couple, she was romantically tied to the enigmatic Howard Hughes. While Hughes was a larger-than-life force, nobody lit up a room or the silver screen like Hepburn. Likewise, Blanchett arguably upstages co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, which is no easy feat. Hepburn was known for playing classy, humorous, strong-willed characters, not unlike herself. Blanchett encompasses all of these qualities, holding her own against Hughes. Blanchett really pulls off the Mid-Atlantic accent, and never sounds like she’s just doing an impression.

“Amadeus” (1984)
In the 1984 Best Actor lineup, Abraham was nominated against Tom Hulce, who portrayed the titular composer. Although the film is called “Amadeus,” Salieri drives the plot forward, hence why Abraham won the Oscar. In a way, Abraham almost plays two characters here. During his younger years, we see Salieri as a gifted composer who nonetheless can’t help but envy Mozart’s musical genius. Salieri knows that Mozart is the more innovative composer, intensifying his jealousy. This story is told from the perspective of an elderly Salieri and while the film occasionally delves into pure fantasy, it nicely fits the narrator’s state of mind. Whether you see Salieri as a winking devil or somebody who’s simply gone mad, Abraham’s performance strikes all the right keys.

“La Vie en Rose” (2007)
For many westerners, this biopic introduced them to French actress Marion Cotillard. It also may have served as their gateway into the music of Édith Piaf. Although her singing was dubbed, Cotillard’s performance demonstrates how lip-syncing can be an art in and of itself. Cotillard took the time to study Piaf’s singing techniques and body language, particularly the tongue movements. The results are so uncanny that it’s hard to believe Cotillard doesn’t provide her own singing here, which is a testament to her acting chops. Even if you were to watch her performance on mute, you could still get chills from the sheer emotion Cotillard puts into every expression. Cotillard’s performance blends romance with tragedy, beauty with grit, and high notes with low notes.

“Dead Man Walking” (1995)
The death penalty continues to generate debate, and few films have tackled it with more emotional weight than “Dead Man Walking.” At the story’s heart is Susan Sarandon’s mesmerizing performance as Sister Helen Prejean, who also wrote the non-fiction source material. Prejean firmly believes that every life has value, even despicable death row inmates like Matthew Poncelet, a composite character. This puts Prejean in the difficult position of counseling Poncelet while also empathizing with the victims’ families. Likewise, Sarandon is presented with a tricky balancing act. Although it would’ve been easy to portray Prejean as a one-sided figure, Sarandon brings layers to the character that highlight the nuances of her situation. You might not cry for Poncelet, but Sarandon’s performance will break your heart.

“Reversal of Fortune” (1990)
Jeremy Irons has a knack for playing devious characters, but it’s debatable if Claus von Bülow falls into that category. Although Bülow was found guilty of attempted murder, he was later acquitted. Decades later, Bülow’s innocence remains contested with no clear answer. As such, Irons’ performance keeps the audience guessing from start to finish. His portrayal of Bülow can come off as quite charming and sophisticated while simultaneously being cold and calculating. He keeps everything on the inside, making him even harder to get a read on. Is he an innocent man who seems guilty or a guilty man with a convincing legal team? Thanks to Irons, we have no idea. [“You have no idea.”] Oh, so that’s where Scar got that line!

“Capote” (2005)
Truman Capote is one of the hardest figures to portray. With the wrong actor, his unusual persona could’ve come off like something out of an “SNL” sketch. Thankfully, the part went to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who erased all traces of himself to become the “In Cold Blood” author. Even for a performer of Hoffman’s caliber, Capote provided a challenge. Hoffman stated in one interview that he wasn’t “good with accents.” He thus spent one to two hours daily working on the voice, as well as the body language. Instead of trying to sound exactly like Capote, Hoffman strived to find a voice that expressed his “vitality and the nuances.” Hoffman does just that in a performance that speaks volumes about Capote’s flaws and his genius.

“Funny Girl” (1968)
Some performers were born for certain roles. Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice is one of the best examples, so much so that it’s hard to separate the two. Of course, Streisand hits every song out of the park, with “Don’t Rain on My Parade” arguably being her career-defining screen moment. What doesn’t get nearly enough attention, however, is Streisand’s dynamic comedic timing and masterful transition from humor to drama. After all, Fanny Brice was a “funny girl,” but her life wasn’t all smiles. In a strange twist of fate, Streisand didn’t win the Tony when she originated Brice on Broadway. Her performance in the film adaptation won over Oscar voters, however. Streisand tied with Katharine Hepburn, who portrayed another real-life figure, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

“Patton” (1970)
From the opening scene onward, George C. Scott commands this nearly three-hour epic. It’s eerie how much Scott resembles the real General Patton, although the latter had a much higher-pitched voice. Scott doesn’t attempt to replicate the voice, but he does convey the complex nature of the controversial general. The actor plays Patton as a tough-as-nails military man who loves his job a little too much. This makes it all the more surprising when Patton shows a moment of sincerity, getting emotional by a wounded soldier’s bedside. The next minute, however, he’s sending another soldier to the front line for showing weakness. While moments like this made Patton a divisive figure, Scott also expresses what made Patton such a compelling leader.

“Monster” (2003)
Not unlike Nicole Kidman in “The Hours” one year earlier, Charlize Theron’s physical evolution into Aileen Wuornos seemed to be the main talking point of many reviews. Theron put on thirty pounds for the role and while the makeup is phenomenal, that’s all just a small facet of what makes her performance one of the all-time greats. Theron achieves something that few performers can, finding the humanity in a serial killer. This isn’t to say that Theron makes Wuornos sympathetic, as the film never shies away from the unspeakable acts she committed. Through the loneliness, desperation, and sorrow Theron pours into her performance, however, we see how a cruel, unforgiving environment could create a monster such as Wuornos. It’s a truly staggering performance.

“Ray” (2004)
Jamie Foxx started playing piano at age five; Ray Charles was only slightly younger when he discovered his calling. While Foxx’s piano-playing skills are on full display, this is another case where the majority of the singing was dubbed. In the same vein as Marion Cotillard, however, Foxx taps into something far more important in his portrayal of Charles: soul. Foxx digs deep within himself to find the turmoil Charles experienced, but also the showmanship that made him one of the most captivating performers to grace the stage. Fox was so committed that he glued his eyes shut to play the blind musician. Charles died only four months before the film’s release, and Foxx made sure the High Priest of Soul got his due in his acceptance speech.

“My Left Foot” (1989)
Few living actors are more synonymous with method acting than Daniel Day-Lewis. And Christy Brown remains one of the most daunting roles the actor ever took on. Brown was a famed writer with cerebral palsy who used the toes on his left foot to write and paint. Day-Lewis uses his right foot in the film, although a mirror trick fixed that. In addition to spending eight weeks researching at a cerebral palsy clinic, Day-Lewis was adamant about staying in character and remained in a wheelchair even when the cameras weren’t rolling. It resulted in two damaged ribs, but it all paid off on Oscar Night. It wouldn’t be the last time Day-Lewis embodied another person, winning his third Academy Award for portraying Abraham Lincoln.

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

Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley, “Green Book” (2018)
However You Feel About the Best Picture Win, Ali 100% Deserved His Second Oscar

Haing S. Ngor as Dith Pran, “The Killing Fields” (1984)
A Performance That Hit Incredibly Close to Home

Adrien Brody as Władysław Szpilman, “The Pianist” (2002)
His Turn as the Survivor Made Brody the Youngest Best Actor Winner to Date

Colin Firth as King George VI, “The King’s Speech” (2010)
A Performance Worthy of Royalty

Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, “Judy” (2019)
Garland Shockingly Never Won an Oscar, But Zellweger Provided Some Closure

“Raging Bull” (1980)
Martin Scorsese directed Joe Pesci to an Oscar for his performance as Tommy DeVito, who was based on real-life mobster Thomas DeSimone. Scorsese did the same ten years earlier for Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull.” DeNiro trained with the real Jake LaMotta, who reportedly believed the actor had what it took to become a pro boxer. DeNiro went from developing the body of a champion to gaining almost 60 pounds to play an older Jake. Just as La Motta held nothing back in the ring, De Niro doesn’t sugarcoat the Raging Bull’s home life. It wasn’t until he saw the film that LaMotta realized how poorly he had treated those closest to him. De Niro’s portrayal was that much of a gut punch.