39 actors who completely transformed themselves into real-life music legends

Olivia SinghDec 4, 2020, 04:00 IST

Renée Zellweger transforms into Judy Garland in "Judy."David Hindley Courtesy of LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions

Actors often transform into real-life musicians for biopics.
Some actors go through physical transformations to play musicians like Marion Cotillard did to play Édith Piaf.
Other actors, like Tom Hiddleston, practice with vocal coaches.

Musical legends have been brought to the big screen for decades, in biopics that range from transformative to mediocre. Finding actors who can accurately portray those artists often requires some musical training, studying of mannerisms, and physical transformations.

While some roles merely require learning some choreography and slight makeup, others are more intensive, like Jamie Foxx having his eyes glued shut to portray blind musician Ray Charles.

Here are 39 of the most notable transformations.

Anjelica Oswald contributed to a previous version of this article.

Jason Mitchell transformed into Eazy-E for "Straight Outta Compton."

Eazy-E and Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E. Ruthless Records and Universal Pictures

Tom Hiddleston played Hank Williams in "I Saw the Light."

Hank Williams and Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams. Publicity photo from WSM and Sony Pictures Classics

Kristen Stewart became rocker Joan Jett for "The Runaways."

Joan Jett and Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett. AP Photo and Apparition

"Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman channeled his inner funk and broke it down as James Brown in 2014's "Get on Up."

James Brown and Chadwick Boseman as James Brown. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Universal Pictures

Jennifer Lopez's breakout role came when she was cast as the beloved Tejano singer Selena in "Selena."

Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez as Selena. Maurice Rinaldi/EMI Latin and Warner Bros.

Paul Dano played a young Brian Wilson in "Love & Mercy."

Brian Wilson and Paul Dano as Brian Wilson. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Lionsgate

Jamie Foxx received universal acclaim for his portrayal of the blues legend Ray Charles in "Ray."

Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Universal Pictures33

Marion Cotillard received critical acclaim for her portrayal of French singing icon Édith Piaf in "La Vie en rose."

Édith Piaf and Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Picturehouse

Joaquin Phoenix earned an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his portrayal of beloved country musician Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line."

Johnny Cash and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and 20th Century Fox

Aaron Taylor-Johnson's breakout role was playing the Beatles member John Lennon in "Nowhere Boy."

John Lennon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as John Lennon. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Icon Entertainment International

Angela Bassett nailed the strong-willed Tina Turner and earned an Academy Award best actress nomination and won a Golden Globe for "What's Love Got to Do With It."

Tina Turner and Angela Bassett as Tina Turner. Evening Standard/Getty Images and Buena Vista Pictures

Miles Davis' story was told on the big screen by Don Cheadle in "Miles Ahead."

MIles Davis and Don Cheadle as Miles Davis. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Sony Pictures Classics

Queen Latifah became blues queen Bessie Smith for "Bessie."

Bessie Smith and Queen Latifah as Bessie. Three Lions/Getty Images and HBO

Jamal Woolard made his acting debut portraying Christopher Wallace aka the Notorious B.I.G. in 2009's "Notorious."

The Notorious B.I.G. and Jamal Woolard as The Notorious B.I.G. Mark Lennihan/AP and Fox Searchlight Pictures

John Lloyd Young originated the role of Frankie Valli on Broadway's "Jersey Boys" and reprised his role in the movie adaptation of the same name.

Frankie Valli and John Lloyd Young as a younger Frankie Valli. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Warner Bros. Pictures

Val Kilmer played The Doors rocker Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors."

Jim Morrison and Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison. Central Press/Getty Images and Tri-Star Pictures

Kurt Russell received an Emmy nomination for his memorable portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie "Elvis."

Elvis Presley and Kurt Russell as Elvis. Liaison/Getty Images and ABC

Zoe Saldana's transformation into Nina Simone for "Nina" was controversial.

Nina Simone and Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. Ian Showell/Getty Images and RLJ Entertainment

Dennis Quaid took on Jerry Lee Lewis for "Great Balls of Fire."

Jerry Lee Lewis and Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis. Evening Standard/Getty Images and MGM

Gary Busey scored his first and only Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in 1978's "The Buddy Holly Story."

Buddy Holly and Gary Busey as Buddy Holly. Keystone/Getty Images and Columbia Pictures

Jessica Lange received high praise for her transformative performance as Patsy Cline in "Sweet Dreams."

Patsy Cline and Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline. Decca and TriStar Pictures

Gary Oldman portrayed the late Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious in "Sid and Nancy: Love Kills."

Sid Vicious and Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious. Aubrey Hart/Evening Standard/Getty Images and The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Joe Mantegna played Dean Martin in the TV film "The Rat Pack," earning a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination for his role.

Dean Martin and Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin. Express Newspapers/Getty Images and HBO

Sissy Spacek earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of country singer Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Loretta Lynn and Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn. Hope Powell/Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Universal Pictures

Lou Diamond Phillips' breakout role was playing the late Ritchie Valens in "La Bamba."

Ritchie Valens and Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens. Del-FIr Records/Amazon and Columbia Pictures

Diana Ross transformed into Billie Holiday for "Lady Sings the Blues."

Billie Holiday in 1958 and Diana Ross in "Lady Sings the Blues." AP Photo/File and Paramount Pictures

Marc Anthony played salsa singer Héctor Lavoe in 2006's "El Cantante."

Héctor Lavoe on the cover of "La Voz" and Marc Anthony in "El Cantante." Fania Records and Picturehouse

Ethan Hawke learned trumpet basics to portray Chet Baker in "Born to Be Blue."

Chet Baker and Ethan Hawke in "Born to Be Blue." Keystone/Getty Images and Entertainment One

Michael Douglas won an Emmy for playing flamboyant pianist Liberace in "Behind the Candelabra."

Liberace in 1984 and Michael Douglas in "Behind the Candelabra." AP Photo/Mario Cabrera and HBO

David Carradine played folk singer Woody Guthrie in the Oscar-winning movie "Bound for Glory."

Woody Guthrie and David Carradine in "Bound for Glory." AP Photo and United Artists

Rami Malek played Queen front man Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Freddie Mercury and Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. Hulton Archive/Getty Images and 20th Century Fox

Renée Zellweger starred as Judy Garland in "Judy."

Judy Garland in the 1950s and Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland. Pathé UK and Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Taron Egerton played Elton John in "Rocketman."

Elton John and Taron Egerton as Elton John. Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty Images and Paramount Pictures

Daniel Webber played Vince Neil, Mötley Crüe's singer, in Netflix's "The Dirt."

Vince Neil and Daniel Webber as Vince Neil. Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images and Jake Giles Netter/Netflix

Douglas Booth played Nikki Sixx, Mötley Crüe's bassist, in "The Dirt."

Nikki Sixx and Douglas Booth as Nikki Sixx. Ron Galella/WireImage/Getty Images and Netflix

Iwan Rheon played Mick Mars, Mötley Crüe's guitarist, in "The Dirt."

Mick Mars and Iwan Rheon as Mick Mars. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage and Netflix

Machine Gun Kelly transformed into Tommy Lee, Mötley Crüe's drummer, for "The Dirt."

Tommy Lee and Machine Gun Kelly as Tommy Lee. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns and Netflix

"The Walking Dead" star Christian Serratos will portray Selena Quintanilla in a new Netflix series.

On the left is Selena Quintanilla. On the right is Christian Serratos as the singer. Arlene Richie/Media Sources/Media Sources/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images and Netflix

Jennifer Hudson will star as "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic.

On the left is Aretha Franklin in 1968. On the right is Jennifer Hudson as the music legend. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images and MGM Studios

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