Let’s not forget another of Martin Sheen’s historical roles: General Robert E. Lee in Gettysburg.
Gary Oldman isn’t exactly typecast for historical roles (not really a Masterpiece Theater sort of actor), but the list of historical figures he’s played is kinda interesting: Beethoven and Sid Vicious…Pontius Pilate and Joe Orton…Lee Harvey Oswald and Dracula…etc.
Ben Kingsley has always felt so typecast by his performance in Gandhi that he deliberately accepted the role in Sexy Beast to be as far opposite all the drippy peace and love stuff as humanly possible.
John Wayne always played John Wayne.
Except when he played…Genghis Khan! (In The Conqueror )
Yes, but the Wayne still shined through.
Rowan Atkinson has played several historical charactors from the noblility of England, from various periods. I believe he’s even played the ancestors of earlier charactors that he’s portrayed. What an actor!