30 actors who played the president of the United States, and how they compare to the real thing

Jacob Shamsian,Talia Lakritz,Max KalnitzAug 28, 2024, 23:58 IST

Dennis Quaid (left) portrays President Ronald Reagan in "Reagan."Showbiz Direct ; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Many movies and TV shows have portrayed real US presidents played by Hollywood actors.
Daniel Day-Lewis shared a striking resemblance to Abraham Lincoln in the 2012 film "Lincoln."

Numerous movies and television shows have told presidents' stories, but some actors look the part more than others.

In the latest presidential biopic, "Reagan," Dennis Quaid portrays President Ronald Reagan. The historical drama premieres August 30.

Movies about the lives of US presidents can achieve both critical and commercial success. Steven Spielberg's 2012 film "Lincoln," for example, grossed $275 million worldwide and won two of its 12 Academy Award nominations.

Here are 30 actors who have played US presidents in movies and TV shows, and how they compare to the real-life leaders.

The fullest adaptation of President George Washington's life is the 1984 CBS miniseries "George Washington" with Barry Bostwick in the titular role.

Barry Bostwick as George Washington.CBS via Getty Images

He's a bit more rosy-cheeked, with rounder features, in Gilbert Stuart's famous 1796 portrait.

A portrait of George Washington.US National Portrait Gallery

For our second president, John Adams, we have Paul Giamatti's portrayal.

Paul Giamatti in "John Adams."HBO

Portraits of the real-life Adams had an intensity that Giamatti's performance shares.

A portrait of John Adams.Stock Montage/Getty Images

Anthony Hopkins played President John Quincy Adams, John Adams' son and America's sixth president, in Steven Spielberg's "Amistad."

Anthony Hopkins as John Quincy Adams in "Amistad."Dreamworks

The movie nails the facial hair.

John Quincy Adams.bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Charlton Heston played President Andrew Jackson twice, in the 1953 biopic "The President's Lady" and 1958 pirate movie "The Buccaneer."

Charlton Heston as Andrew Jackson.Screen Archives/Getty Images

The facial features and hair are pretty close.

A portrait of Andrew Jackson.Stock Montage/Stock Montage/Getty Images

President Martin Van Buren was also a character in "Amistad," played by Nigel Hawthorne.

Nigel Hawthorne as Martin van Buren in "Amistad."Dreamworks

Once again, the Spielberg movie knows what it's doing when it comes to sideburns.

A print of Martin van Buren.Universal History Archive via Getty Images

President Abraham Lincoln has been depicted onscreen more than any other president. One of the most famous portrayals was by Daniel Day-Lewis.

Daniel Day-Lewis in "Lincoln."Disney

The real-life Lincoln had strikingly similar facial features.

Abraham Lincoln.Mathew B. Brady:The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Henry Fonda also portrayed the 16th president in "Young Mr. Lincoln."

Henry Fonda as Abraham Lincoln in "Young Mr. Lincoln."20th Century Fox

In earlier photos, it's true he didn't have his famous beard.

A portrait of a younger Abraham Lincoln.Historical/Getty Images

Van Heflin played Lincoln's vice president, Andrew Johnson, who took on the presidency when his predecessor was assassinated, in 1942's "Tennessee Johnson."

Van Helfin in "Tennessee Johnson."MGM

It's pretty close. The real-life Johnson had similarly deep-set eyes.

A photo of Andrew Johnson from before 1875.Library of Congress

Joseph Crehan played President Ulysses S. Grant nine times. Here he is in 1939's "Union Pacific."

Joseph Cehan as Ulysses Grant in "Union Pacific."Paramount Pictures

The real-life Grant had a very similar beard.

Ulysses Grant.Stock Montage/Getty Images

The little-known actor Roy Gordon played President Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president, in "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Roy Gordon as Benjamin Harrison in "Stars and Stripes Forever."20th Century Fox

He's a dead ringer for the president.

An 1896 photo of Benjamin Harrison.Library of Congress

President William McKinley, played by Frank Conroy, tried to stop some bank robbers in the 1937 movie "This Is My Affair."

Frank Conroy as William McKinley in "This Is My Affair."20th Century Fox

It's a pretty good depiction. The real McKinley also had a serious, buttoned-up look.

William McKinley in his presidential portrait.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Robin Williams played a statue of President Theodore Roosevelt that comes to life in the "Night at the Museum" movies.

Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt in "Night at the Museum."20th Century Fox

The movies got the real-life Rough Rider's moustache just right.

Theodore Roosevelt pictured in the White House in 1908.AP Photo

Alexander Knox played President Woodrow Wilson in 1944's "Wilson," one of the first Oscar-baiting presidential biopics.

Alexander Knox as Woodrow Wilson in "Wilson."20th Century Fox

There are some similarities, although Wilson looks older and has a narrower face in this photo.

Woodrow Wilson.Tony Essex/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Malachy Cleary played the 29th president, Warren G. Harding, in an episode of "Boardwalk Empire."

Malachy Cleary as Warren G. Harding in "Boardwalk Empire."HBO

The real Harding had sharper features.

A photo of Warren G. Harding taken around 1920.Library of Congress

Bill Murray played President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in "Hyde Park on Hudson" in 2012.

Bill Murray in "Hyde Park on Hudson."Focus Features

While the movie got anemic reviews, Bill Murray's portrayal is spot-on.

Franklin D. Roosevelt at Hyde Park.George R. Skadding/AP

Gary Sinise wore a prosthetic nose to play President Harry S. Truman in the 1995 HBO film "Truman."

Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman in "Truman."HBO

It's pretty accurate.

Harry S. Truman.Bettmann/Getty Images

Bruce Greenwood played President John F. Kennedy in "Thirteen Days."

Bruce Greenwood as John F. Kennedy in "Thirteen Days."New Line Cinema

The real Kennedy's natural charisma is tough to imitate.

John F. Kennedy.William J. Smith/AP

William Devane also starred as JFK in the 1874 TV docudrama "The Missiles of October."

William Devane in "The Missiles of October."CBS Television

It's actually a pretty close representation.

John F. Kennedy.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Bryan Cranston took a turn at playing President Lyndon Baines Johnson in the 2016 HBO biopic "All the Way."

Bryan Cranston as Lyndon Baines Johnson in "All the Way."HBO

There are some similarities.

Lyndon Baines Johnson.AP

Frank Langella played the disgraced 37th president, Richard Nixon, in "Frost/Nixon."

Frank Langella as Richard Nixon in "Frost/Nixon."Universal Pictures

Langella's performance was praised.

Richard Nixon in the 1977 Frost interviews.AP

"The Butler" had a parade of actors playing presidents, and Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan was the highlight.

Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan in "The Butler."The Weinstein Company

Rickman looks a little younger in the role, but it's pretty close.

Ronald Reagan.UniversalImagesGroup/Getty Images

Dennis Quaid portrayed Reagan in the 2024 biopic "Reagan."

Dennis Quaid in "Reagan."Showbiz Direct

The film recreated Reagan's presidential debate against President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Ronald Reagan in 1980.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

James Cromwell played the elder President George H.W. Bush in the Oliver Stone biopic "W."

James Cromwell as President George H.W. Bush.Lionsgate

The two men do not look alike.

George H.W. Bush.Charlie Riedel/AP

Dennis Quaid played President Bill Clinton in the HBO drama "The Special Relationship."

Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton in "The Special Relationship."HBO

Quaid may have the right hairline and face shape, but that's where the similarities end.

Bill Clinton.WP/RCS via Reuters

Clive Owen portrays Clinton in the FX limited series "Impeachment: American Crime Story."

Clive Owen as Bill Clinton in "Impeachment: American Crime Story."FX

Owen wore prosthetics and hid his English accent to look and sound more like Clinton.

Former president Bill Clinton in 2020.Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images

Josh Brolin played President George W. Bush in "W."

Josh Brolin as George W. Bush in "W."Lionsgate

There are similarities between the two men.

George W. Bush.Stewart F. House/Getty Images

Parker Sawyers played a young President Barack Obama in "Southside With You."

Parker Sawyers as Barack Obama in "Southside With You."Miramax Films

He shares a resemblance with the 44th president.

A young Barack Obama.Seth Perlman/AP

Devon Terrell played a young Obama in his junior year at Columbia University for the film "Barry."

Devon Terrell as Barack Obama.Netflix

He nailed the president's speaking style in the movie.

A young Barack Obama.Steve Liss/Getty Images

Brendan Gleeson played President Donald Trump in Showtime's 2020 four-episode political drama "The Comey Rule."

Brendan Gleeson as Donald Trump.Showtime

It's pretty close.

Donald Trump in 2020.REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Greg Kinnear played then-Senator Joe Biden in the 2016 HBO film "Confirmation."

Greg Kinnear as Joe Biden in "Confirmation."HBO

There are some similarities, but Biden looks older in this picture.

Then-Senator Joe Biden during the Senate hearings for Clarence Thomas.Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images

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