# Ever confuse one actor for another? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 18, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757 "2026-07-18T01:25:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/161 "2026-08-04T21:03:30Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Bill Paxton and Bill Pullman. Despite a certain resemblance between the two, I’ve never mistaken them. They had very different vibes. Paxton played assholes; Pullman plays dorks. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/162 "2026-08-04T21:14:43Z")
The “Ask Judge John Hodgman” column in last weekend’s _New York Times Magazine_ was addressed to a reader who always confused Bill Paxton with Kevin Costner. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/163 "2026-08-04T23:50:02Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > When Eric Dane first showed up on Grey’s Anatomy, I would have sworn it was Leonardo DiCaprio. Eric Dane, surprisingly, was the one with the sextape. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/164 "2026-08-04T23:53:32Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > Leslie Bibb and Leslie Mann > > Yep. I can’t even bring up a distinct picture in my mind of Leslie Bibb. [![](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2242463843/photo/academy-museum-5th-annual-gala-in-partnership-with-rolex.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=8TI7fK3-pW5h8M_sDRg09seLmUNQiNWNjk1g0Sc6skc=) ](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2242463843/photo/academy-museum-5th-annual-gala-in-partnership-with-rolex.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=8TI7fK3-pW5h8M_sDRg09seLmUNQiNWNjk1g0Sc6skc=) Proof that they are two separate people. (Leslie’s the one on the right.) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/165 "2026-08-05T01:39:01Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Emma Stone and Jane Levy Whoa, they could be sisters. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/166 "2026-08-05T08:20:53Z")
Christopher Lambert and Thomas Jane got me at first. But as they senesce they look very different. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/167 "2026-08-05T10:00:17Z")
The resemblance isn’t as strong these days, but while watching **The Thin Red Line** back in 1998, not only did I confuse Adrian Brody with Jim Caviezel, _I didn’t even realize they were two separate characters._ > [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Chelsea Handler and Elizabeth Banks. I first noticed it when EB had a role in Modern Family. With me, it’s Rachel McAdams and Elizabeth Banks. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/168 "2026-08-05T14:23:44Z")
Sarah Paulson and Lily Rabe. While watching American Horror Story, I often couldn’t keep their separate roles/scenes straight. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/169 "2026-08-05T15:11:30Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The resemblance isn’t as strong these days, but while watching **The Thin Red Line** back in 1998, not only did I confuse Adrian Brody with Jim Caviezel, _I didn’t even realize they were two separate characters._ I found Black Hawk Down similarly confusing when it came out because I couldn’t keep the characters straight. I haven’t seen it since, now a huge portion of the cast is famous so I think I wouldn’t have that problem now, though I might instead get distracted by over-recognizing them. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/170 "2026-08-05T20:15:06Z")
There was a time when I thought Amy Adams and Isla Fisher were the same person using 2 different stage names. They have differntiated now. A person who does use separate stage names is Cheryl Gates McFadden. When actinging she goes by Gates, as Dr Beverly Crusher in Star Trek TNG. She is also a talented choregrapher and dancer, at least she was, when dancing or choregrapher she goes by Cheryl. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/171 "2026-08-05T20:46:45Z")
Some years back there was the group of redheaded actresses that were very similar in looks; Amy and Isla as mentioned above, plus Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain. I didn’t have too much trouble telling them apart, until I saw the trailer for [Other Mommy, starring Jessica Chastain](https://www.google.com/search?q=jessica+chastain+other+mommy&sca_esv=c8498f437f34a732&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS691US691&udm=2&biw=1311&bih=609&sxsrf=APpeQnvaQNvZyQ8fZS6e-JxgTUPzW63ZPA%3A1785961781936&ei=NZ1zasPxN8rFkPIP-7rt-QM&ved=0ahUKEwiD4N-MqoqWAxXKIkQIHXtdOz8Q4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=jessica+chastain+other+mommy&gs_lp=Egtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZyIcamVzc2ljYSBjaGFzdGFpbiBvdGhlciBtb21teTIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGAgYHjIGEAAYCBgeSP00UP4HWOIicAF4AJABAJgBRqABhwSqAQIxMbgBA8gBAPgBAZgCC6ACsgTCAggQABiABBixA8ICBBAAGB7CAgYQABgFGB6YAwCIBgGSBwIxMaAHuR-yBwIxMbgHsgTCBwYwLjEwLjHIBx6ACAE&sclient=gws-wiz-img#sv=CAMSURoyKhBlLV9rWDh5bWVDZndzYkJNMg5fa1g4eW1lQ2Z3c2JCTToOS1BYaXhZcHRnMDdDRU0gBCoXCgFzEhBlLV9rWDh5bWVDZndzYkJNGAEwARgHINfOx_YCSggQARgBIAEoAQ). It almost looks like she was purposely made to look like [Bryce Dallas Howard](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=c8498f437f34a732&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS691US691&sxsrf=APpeQns2J8kQOARDR1FIKQXFwWW0pydE7g:1785962738142&udm=2&fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_-G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832VTJOOCxW_fyN-Q_ezyf8gLZhoVnym8adqD7lVa5VazpBml1fU3A7DJSeYYIw7Ru-8-VdEBVApGFH39J-l_MfRcqK0czqhur0mh1ytpqkFgRKyT1OZY6_3iDou2KIPxJ_13UG0-sxL5y-FS5CKatK6K5LdwsGzYT7WDX6a3_cnPnZr3gvA&q=bryce+dallas+howard&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih5drUrYqWAxXKIkQIHcwEO9cQtKgLegQIFxAB&biw=1311&bih=609&dpr=1.56#sv=CAMSURoyKhBlLXc4SzdlTFZzSnlUcjhNMg53OEs3ZUxWc0p5VHI4TToOdlM3VURMa1l4YXNVa00gBCoXCgFzEhBlLXc4SzdlTFZzSnlUcjhNGAEwARgHIIy33_QBSggQARgBIAEoAQ) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/172 "2026-08-05T20:55:37Z")
It can be confusing when I’m watching a movie or television show and there are two actors with dark hair, or blonde actresses who I confuse. Ideally they’d cast the roles with people who look completely different. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/173 "2026-08-05T20:59:51Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Matt Damon and whathisface… the one in Saving Private Ryan… ah no that was Matt Damon too, Bourne! ah no Matt Damon too, God dammit. > _googles “Matt Damon lookalike actor”_ > > Mark Whalberg! While I can tell them apart, there is apparently enough of a resemblance that Jesse Plemons has been referred to as “Fat Matt Damon”. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/174 "2026-08-05T21:06:20Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > While I can tell them apart, there is apparently enough of a resemblance that Jesse Plemons has been referred to as “Fat Matt Damon”. I’ve seen him referred to as Meth Damon because of his role in _Breaking Bad_. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/175 "2026-08-05T21:08:04Z")
I thought that Jesse Plemons’ character in _[Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_War_(film))_ was played by Matt Damon. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/176 "2026-08-05T22:37:09Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > enough of a resemblance that Jesse Plemons has been referred to as “Fat Matt Damon”. Or just “Fatt Damon”. If you saw the episode of Black Mirror with him (USS Calister), he _really_ could have passed for Matt Damon. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/177 "2026-08-24T01:46:37Z")
_Spy_ magazine once featured a ‘Separated at Birth’ pair: Chevy Chase and Jim Morrison. I’ve never mistaken them for each other–they groomed pretty differently–but there is a resemblance: [la-morrison.jpg (396×244)](https://blackjacketsymphony.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/la-morrison.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/178 "2026-08-25T23:56:01Z")
I spent two episodes of “Alice and Steve” thinking Nicola Walker was a looking impossibly good for her age Jenny Agutter. (they were born 18 years apart). [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kiGWpk7Mi_A/maxresdefault.jpg "Alice & Steve: When an Age-Gap Romance Got Too Real | Set Stories") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGWpk7Mi_A) ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/179 "2026-08-26T01:19:08Z")
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito could practically be twins. More seriously, Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski can be remarkably hard to tell apart—especially when Sobieski was younger. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757/180 "2026-08-26T14:08:28Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > More seriously, Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski can be remarkably hard to tell apart—especially when Sobieski was younger. Helen Hunt always reminded me of Jodie Foster. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-confuse-one-actor-for-another/1031757.md?page=10)