7 actors who played Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how they compare to the civil rights leader

Max KalnitzJan 18, 2021, 20:53 IST

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Clifton Powell.Hulton Archive/Getty;

Throughout the years, many actors have portrayed Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in TV series, movies, and even on Broadway.
Paul Winfield was the first to do so in the 1978 NBC miniseries "King."
Critics raved about Samuel L. Jackson's performance as King in the 2011 Broadway play "The Mountaintop."
David Oyelowo shared a striking resemblance to Dr. King in his Golden Globe-winning performance in the 2015 film "Selma."

Following Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death in 1968, many actors have portrayed the civil rights leader in TV series, movies, and even on Broadway. And while it's important to evoke the powerful words and triumphant essence that Dr. King embodied, it also helps to look the part.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we rounded up seven actors who've played him and how they compare to the real man.

Paul Winfield played King in the 1978 NBC miniseries "King."

Paul Winfield plays Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1978 miniseries "King." NBC

Winfield told the New York Times he put on 30 pounds to play the part and studied films and home movies of King. The preparation paid off.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at Quinn Chapel on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, during the 1960s. Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images

Clifton Powell starred as Dr. King in the 1999 biographical drama "Selma, Lord, Selma."

Clifton Powell playing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walt Disney Television

Though Powell's performance as King is powerful, his Southern accent wasn't all that convincing.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966. Bettmann

Jeffrey Wright played King in the 2001 HBO film "Boycott."

Jeffrey Wright as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in "Boycott." HBO/YouTube

Wright's hairline is a bit off and his delivery is at times quiet, but the actor did a remarkable job playing King.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on "Face The Nation" in 1967. CBS Photo Archive

Dexter Scott King, son of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., played his father in the 2002 film, "The Rosa Parks Story."

Dexter Scott King starring as his father in "The Rosa Parks Story." CBS/YouTube

You can't possibly cast a more authentic actor than King's own son.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1962. Donald Uhrbrock/Getty Images

Samuel L. Jackson appeared on Broadway in 2011 playing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in "The Mountaintop."

Samuel L. Jackson in "The Mountaintop." Katori Hall/YouTube

While they might not look alike - the real MLK had a rounder, fuller face - critics gave glowing reviews of Jackson's performance.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ap photo

Malik Yoba appeared briefly as King in Lifetime's 2013 film "Betty & Coretta."

Malik Yoba as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in "Betty & Coretta." Sanitsky Company

Yoba looks strikingly close to King and played him convincingly.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

David Oyelowo played King in Ava DuVernay's 2014 biopic "Selma."

David Oyelowo as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma." 20th Century Fox

Oyelowo nailed his portrayal of Dr. King.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. AP

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