How 10 celebrities compare to the real-life historical figures they played

Meryl Streep took on the role of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."Christopher Polk/Getty; AP

• Some actors have been tasked with portraying powerful leaders, like Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, and Sean Penn as Harvey Milk.
• Others, like Salma Hayek and Robert Downey Jr., took on the roles of famous artists, like Frida Kahlo and Charlie Chaplin, respectively.
• Eddie Redmayne gave an Oscar-winning performance as Stephen Hawking and Hilary Swank really did resemble Amelia Earhart.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

There's something so fascinating about a great period piece or biopic, which can take you back in time and provide a nuanced look at someone's life during a specific era.

In these sorts of movies, actors can realistically portray, or at the very least seriously resemble, the notable person they play.

Here's how 10 celebrities compare to the important figures they've appeared as in films.

Read the original article on Insider