# The Actor is WAY better looking than the real life person being portrayed in the film **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 6, 2009, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508 "2009-03-06T10:33:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/21 "2009-03-06T15:49:03Z")
I don’t know about the example in the OP. In the pictures I saw Bonnie was very cute and I never thought Faye Dunaway was that attractive. The real Bonnie Parker was 4-11 and about 90lbs. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/22 "2009-03-06T16:02:24Z")
[quote=“bienville, post:1, topic:488508”] [li]The aformentioned Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as being WAY better looking than Bonnie and Clyde.[/li][/QUOTE] I dunno. Bonnie Parker was a [pretty attractive](http://www.biography.com/notorious/images/crime_files/bonnie-and-clyde.jpg) [woman](http://www.oglethorpe.edu/faculty/~k_aufderheide/Forensic_Science/Images/Bonnie_Parker.jpg). So was Faye Dunaway, of course, but I don’t know if I’d say she’s _way_ better looking than Bonnie Parker. ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/23 "2009-03-06T16:09:24Z")
Not a film but John O’Hurley as J. Peterman ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/24 "2009-03-06T16:17:14Z")
In Band of Brothers Babe Heffron is played by Robin Laing. IRL Heffron is something like 5-3 and a bit troll-like. Robin Laing is over six feet tall and looks nothing like a troll. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/25 "2009-03-06T16:27:33Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Greer Garson was a lot better looking than Marie Curie. As was [Odile Le Clezio](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0494189/). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/26 "2009-03-06T16:36:18Z")
Anthony Hopkins/Richard Nixon. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/27 "2009-03-06T16:39:49Z")
[Kevin Costner](http://www.independentcritics.com/images/jfkSPLASH.jpg) in _JFK_ and the real [Jim Garrison](http://spot.acorn.net/jfkplace/09/fp.back_issues/28th_Issue/garrison.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/28 "2009-03-06T16:45:07Z")
John Hurt vs John Merrick in _The Elephant Man_ No pics needed ! no contest ! ---
**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:** [March 6, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/29 "2009-03-06T16:49:22Z")
Cleopatra is a famous example of this. Here’s some of the actresses who’ve protrayed here: [Elizabeth Taylor](http://www.mrdowling.com/images/702cleopatra.jpg), [Claudette Colbert](http://strawdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/claudette-colbert-1934.jpg), [Lyndsey Marshal](http://strawdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/lyndsey-marshal-2005.jpg), [Theda Bara](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Theda-bara-cleopatra.jpg), and [Lilly Langtry](http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20041213/gallery/cleopatra_zoom.jpg). And here’s an Egyptian coin from Cleopatra’s lifetime that shows [what she actually looked like](http://strawdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/cleopatra-coin.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/30 "2009-03-06T16:52:17Z")
> [@labtrash](#): > > John Hurt vs John Merrick in _The Elephant Man_ > > No pics needed ! > > no contest ! Well, I saw [this image of what John Merrick might have looked like](http://www.dharmaflix.com/wiki/Image:EMorph5.jpg) without his condition. I think that guy is a lot better looking than John Hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/31 "2009-03-06T16:54:10Z")
[James Brolin](http://redherrings.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/peewee_3.jpg) / [Pee Wee Herman](http://content7.flixster.com/photo/54/10/56/5410565_gal.jpg) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/32 "2009-03-06T17:42:35Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > [James Brolin](http://redherrings.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/peewee_3.jpg) / [Pee Wee Herman](http://content7.flixster.com/photo/54/10/56/5410565_gal.jpg) > > 😉 Ha! I actually didn’t know what you meant by that until I clicked the link. Great movie within a movie. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/33 "2009-03-06T18:07:59Z")
[King Mongkut](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongkut) was not bad looking, but Rex Harrison, Yul Brynner and Chow Yun Fat were more handsome. [Anna Leonowens](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Leonowens) was not bad looking, but Irene Dunn, Deborah Kerr and Jodie Foster were more beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/34 "2009-03-06T18:20:40Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [Mark Harmon](http://gyma.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/young-mark-harmon.jpg) is much better looking than [Ted Bundy](http://shamisen.i.ph/photo/d/269-2/Ted_Bundy_4.jpg) They are/were both blandly good-looking men. You’re comparing an actor’s professional headshot to a journalistic photo taken at a criminal proceeding. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/35 "2009-03-06T18:25:50Z")
Everyone in _A Perfect Storm_, but especially Diane Lane. Of course, she’s prettier than just about anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/36 "2009-03-06T19:06:02Z")
[Pancho Barnes](http://img2.ifilmpro.com/resize/image/stills/films/resize/istd/2676573.jpg) ran the saloon where the pilots used to hang out at Edwards Air Force Base. She was described in _The Right Stuff_ as somewhat unattractive. So when a TV movie was made about her life, the casting choice was obvious: Valerie Bertinelli. I disagree on the Julia Roberts/Erin Brokovich one. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/37 "2009-03-06T19:18:53Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I disagree on the Julia Roberts/Erin Brokovich one. So do I. The only problem with Julia Roberts in the role is the fact that Brokovich looks more like Meg Ryan than her. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/38 "2009-03-06T19:23:35Z")
[Antonio Banderas as Pancho Villa](http://www.hbo.com/films/panchovilla/img/castandcrew/506x315_antonio_banderas.jpg) / [Pancho Villa](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hNHSl5FKNGA/SD-qn1PNtAI/AAAAAAAAAFU/vg-eChJiX04/s320/PanchoVilla02_000.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/39 "2009-03-06T19:37:07Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Ray Liotta looks much better than Henry Hill in Goodfellas. Oh my yes. [Ray Liotta](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40854000/jpg/_40854768_liotta203.jpg) and [Henry Hill](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Henryhillmugshot.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508/40 "2009-03-06T19:43:37Z")
I just learned of this last week on the Dope: [Thomas Kinkade](http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/Photos/america/2005-10/article_hires/20051021164934_kinkade.jpg) was played by [Jared Padalecki.](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMLYyLC8HTo/SE2P58iTFnI/AAAAAAAAIY4/IMSnSbcDJxE/s400/Jared+Padalecki5.jpg) :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-actor-is-way-better-looking-than-the-real-life-person-being-portrayed-in-the-film/488508.md?page=3)