Musical legends have been brought to the big screen for decades, in biopics that range from transformative to mediocre. Finding actors who can accurately portray those artists often requires some musical training, studying of mannerisms, and physical transformations.

While some roles merely require learning some choreography and slight makeup, others are more intensive, like Jamie Foxx having his eyes glued shut to portray blind musician Ray Charles.

Here are 33 of the most notable transformations.

Jason Mitchell transformed into Eazy-E for „Straight Outta Compton.”

Jason Mitchell transformed into Eazy-E for
Eazy-E and Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.
 Ruthless Records and Universal Pictures

Mitchell’s transformation into the late N.W.A rapper Eazy-E for „Straight Outta Compton” blew critics away. The actor „consistently out-acts the rest of the performers,” a New York Times review said. Mitchell, who has a similarly built frame to Eazy-E, gained weight, practiced a South Los Angeles accent, and learned how to rap for the role, according to the Los Angeles Times. Corey Hawkins became Dr. Dre and O’Shea Jackson Jr. transformed into his father, Ice Cube, for the film.

Tom Hiddleston played Hank Williams in „I Saw the Light.”

Tom Hiddleston played Hank Williams in
Hank Williams and Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams.
Publicity photo from WSM and Sony Pictures Classics

English actor Hiddleston transformed into the folk singer, Southern drawl and all, for „I Saw the Light.” Hiddleston stayed with singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell for five weeks and was coached in Williams’ mannerisms and singing style.

Kristen Stewart became rocker Joan Jett for „The Runaways.”

Kristen Stewart became rocker Joan Jett for
Joan Jett and Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett.
 AP Photo and Apparition

Jett and Stewart met before the movie was filmed so Stewart could learn about the rock star from the musician herself.

„The thing that came through to me was that it was important to her to capture it,” Jett told Interview Magazine. „She really wanted to nail it, so I gave her all The Runaways music that I could find; I gave her tapes of me talking…And she really soaked it in. When we were hanging out together on set, it was like I had a mirror image. Even just sitting around, we’d do the same thing at the same time.”

„Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman channeled his inner funk and broke it down as James Brown in 2014’s „Get on Up.”

James Brown and Chadwick Boseman as James Brown.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Universal Pictures

The actor spent three hours in the makeup chair for his full-body prosthetics and wig to get the looks. And with the help of a vocal coach and choreographer and advice from some of Brown’s surviving relatives, as well as Mick Jagger, one of the film’s producers, Boseman gave an electrifying performance.

Jennifer Lopez’s breakout role came when she was cast as the beloved Tejano singer Selena in „Selena.”

Jennifer Lopez's breakout role came when she was cast as the beloved Tejano singer Selena in
Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez as Selena.
Maurice Rinaldi/EMI Latin and Warner Bros.

The Puerto Rican actress was met with some backlash because of her heritage. Lopez perfected the late singer’s dialect and studied performance footage of the music sensation.

„This is someone who’s fresh in the public’s mind, so you need to do your homework on this gig,” Lopez told Entertainment Weekly.

Paul Dano played a young Brian Wilson in „Love & Mercy.”

Paul Dano played a young Brian Wilson in
Brian Wilson and Paul Dano as Brian Wilson.
 Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Lionsgate

To play a younger version of the Beach Boys founder Wilson in „Love & Mercy,” Dano learned how to play piano and bass.

Wilson told the Chicago Tribune, „He looked a little bit like me at age 24. But the way he portrayed me producing records — you know? — was very factual, accurate, stimulating.”

Dano received a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor. John Cusack plays an older Wilson in the film.

Jamie Foxx received universal acclaim for his portrayal of the blues legend Ray Charles in „Ray.”

Jamie Foxx received universal acclaim for his portrayal of the blues legend Ray Charles in
Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Universal Pictures33

He won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics’ Choice Award for best actor. To embody the blind pianist, he had to lose nearly 30 pounds and had his eyes glued shut every day.

Marion Cotillard received critical acclaim for her portrayal of French singing icon Édith Piaf in „La Vie en rose.”

Marion Cotillard received critical acclaim for her portrayal of French singing icon Édith Piaf in
Édith Piaf and Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf.
 Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Picturehouse

She won numerous awards, including the Oscar for best actress. She wasn’t initially considered for the role. But when she met with director Olivier Dahan, he was transfixed by her eyes and how they reminded him of a photo of a teenage Piaf.

Joaquin Phoenix earned an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his portrayal of beloved country musician Johnny Cash in „Walk the Line.”

Joaquin Phoenix earned an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his portrayal of beloved country musician Johnny Cash in
Johnny Cash and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and 20th Century Fox

He sang all of the songs in the film, mimicking Cash’s signature voice.

„Music is always part of how John communicates what he’s feeling and seeing,” Phoenix told ABC News. „And that couldn’t be faked.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s breakout role was playing the Beatles member John Lennon in „Nowhere Boy.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson's breakout role was playing the Beatles member John Lennon in
John Lennon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as John Lennon.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Icon Entertainment International

Based on a biography written by Lennon’s half-sister Julia Baird, the movie told the story of Lennon’s adolescence. It covered the relationship he had with his aunt Mimi Smith and his mother Julia Lennon, as well as the formation of his first band, the Quarrymen, which would evolve into the Beatles.

Johnson began dating Sam Taylor-Wood, the film’s director, and the two married in 2012.

Angela Bassett nailed the strong-willed Tina Turner and earned an Academy Award best actress nomination and won a Golden Globe for „What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

Angela Bassett nailed the strong-willed Tina Turner and earned an Academy Award best actress nomination and won a Golden Globe for 
Tina Turner and Angela Bassett as Tina Turner.
Evening Standard/Getty Images and Buena Vista Pictures

Bassett prepared for her audition with the film’s choreographer, and after performing „Proud Mary,” she got the role. Laurence Fishburne, who played Ike Turner, also earned an Oscar nomination.

Miles Davis’ story was told on the big screen by Don Cheadle in „Miles Ahead.”

Miles Davis' story was told on the big screen by Don Cheadle in
MIles Davis and Don Cheadle as Miles Davis.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Sony Pictures Classics

Cheadle was first roped into a biopic about Davis back in 2006 when Davis, who died in 1991, was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Afterward, Davis’ nephew said Cheadle would play his uncle in a film of his life. Cheadle eventually co-wrote a script, signed on to direct, and portrayed the jazz musician in „Miles Ahead.”

(Cheadle also portrayed Sammy Davis Jr. in 1998’s „The Rat Pack,” for which he won a Golden Globe.)

Queen Latifah became blues queen Bessie Smith for „Bessie.”

Queen Latifah became blues queen Bessie Smith for
Bessie Smith and Queen Latifah as Bessie.
 Three Lions/Getty Images and HBO

Portraying the „Empress of Blues” „left this mark on me,” Queen Latitah told NPR. The singer was praised for her role in the HBO film „Bessie,” which won an Emmy for outstanding television movie.

Jamal Woolard made his acting debut portraying Christopher Wallace aka the Notorious B.I.G. in 2009’s „Notorious.”

Jamal Woolard made his acting debut portraying Christopher Wallace aka the Notorious B.I.G. in 2009's
The Notorious B.I.G. and Jamal Woolard as The Notorious B.I.G.
Mark Lennihan/AP and Fox Searchlight Pictures

He reprised the role of Biggie Smalls in „All Eyez on Me,” a biopic about Tupac Shakur released in 2017.

Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace was a producer on „Notorious.” And according to MTV, she helped pick Woolard to play her son.

„He came in the room, and I said, ‘That’s my son,'” Wallace told MTV News.

John Lloyd Young originated the role of Frankie Valli on Broadway’s „Jersey Boys” and reprised his role in the movie adaptation of the same name.

John Lloyd Young originated the role of Frankie Valli on Broadway's
Frankie Valli and John Lloyd Young as a younger Frankie Valli.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Warner Bros. Pictures

Valli’s life as the front man of The Four Seasons has been documented on Broadway since 2005. Young won a Tony Award for his portrayal. Clint Eastwood brought the story to the big screen in 2014.

Val Kilmer played The Doors rocker Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s „The Doors.”

Val Kilmer played The Doors rocker Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's
Jim Morrison and Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison.
Central Press/Getty Images and Tri-Star Pictures

To land the role of Morrison, Kilmer made his own eight-minute video highlighting his singing abilities and changing his looks to match Morrison to send to director Oliver Stone. Once cast, he dieted for months and spent six months rehearsing songs. He also trained with Paul Rothchild, who produced all but one of The Doors’ albums. Surviving band members were not thrilled with the film.

Kurt Russell received an Emmy nomination for his memorable portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie „Elvis.”

Kurt Russell received an Emmy nomination for his memorable portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie
Elvis Presley and Kurt Russell as Elvis.
 Liaison/Getty Images and ABC

Before the movie aired, Russell reportedly told the Los Angeles Times: „I know one thing, there’s no in-between. It’s either really going to be great or really horrible, just stinking.”

It was a success. The film helped shoot Russell’s career forward.

„I said, if I’m going to do this, I’m going out in flames. I’m controlling this airplane,” Russell told GQ in 2016. „I’m taking it down, or I’m going to break through the clouds my way. And when I did that, that’s when I had an epiphany moment, saying, ‘Kurt, where have you been your whole life? Wake the f–k up. This is what you’re supposed to do.'”

Zoe Saldana’s transformation into Nina Simone for „Nina” was controversial.

Zoe Saldana's transformation into Nina Simone for
Nina Simone and Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone.
Ian Showell/Getty Images and RLJ Entertainment

Her skin was darkened and the filmmakers added prosthetics to make Saldana appear more like Simone.

In response to the casting choice and backlash, Simone’s daughter told Time, „It’s unfortunate that Zoe Saldana is being attacked so viciously when she is someone who is part of a larger picture. It’s clear she brought her best to this project, but unfortunately she’s being attacked when she’s not responsible for any of the writing or the lies.”

But she also said she was against the making of the film.

„The project has been tainted from the very beginning,” she said. „Clearly, it is not the truth about my mother’s life and everyone now knows that. This is not how you want your loved ones remembered.”

Dennis Quaid took on Jerry Lee Lewis for „Great Balls of Fire.”

Dennis Quaid took on Jerry Lee Lewis for
Jerry Lee Lewis and Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis.
Evening Standard/Getty Images and MGM

Quaid practiced piano and took singing lessons for about three to five hours a day in order to learn how to imitate Lewis’ piano skills. Though Lewis wasn’t a big fan of the film according to AMC, Lewis said Quaid „really pulled it off.”

Gary Busey scored his first and only Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in 1978’s „The Buddy Holly Story.”

Gary Busey scored his first and only Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in 1978's
Buddy Holly and Gary Busey as Buddy Holly.
 Keystone/Getty Images and Columbia Pictures

He played the guitar and recorded the songs for the film, as well as lost 32 pounds to play Holly, according to Busey’s biography.

Jessica Lange received high praise for her transformative performance as Patsy Cline in „Sweet Dreams.”

Jessica Lange received high praise for her transformative performance as Patsy Cline in
Patsy Cline and Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline.
 Decca and TriStar Pictures

She earned her fourth Oscar nomination for the role.

Meryl Streep wanted to play Cline, but later said, „When I saw [‘Sweet Dreams’] … I couldn’t imagine doing it as well or even coming close to what Jessica did because she was so amazing in it.”

Gary Oldman portrayed the late Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious in „Sid and Nancy: Love Kills.”

Gary Oldman portrayed the late Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious in
Sid Vicious and Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious.
Aubrey Hart/Evening Standard/Getty Images and The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Goldman beat out Daniel Day Lewis for the part and initially turned down the chance to play Vicious. But after accepting the role, he started to lose weight to mimic Vicious’ skeletal body. According to GQ, the actor wasn’t eating enough and collapsed in his car, too weak to move.

He told Playboy that he doesn’t like himself in the film.

„I don’t think I played Sid Vicious very well,” he said.

Joe Mantegna played Dean Martin in the TV film „The Rat Pack,” earning a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination for his role.

Joe Mantegna played Dean Martin in the TV film
Dean Martin and Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin.
Express Newspapers/Getty Images and HBO

About playing the role, Mantegna said, „My goal wasn’t to mimic him. It was to capture him.”

Sissy Spacek earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of country singer Loretta Lynn in „Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Sissy Spacek earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of country singer Loretta Lynn in
Loretta Lynn and Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn.
Hope Powell/Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Universal Pictures

Lynn had chosen Spacek to play her based on a photo she saw of the actress. To prepare for the role, Spacek traveled with Lynn for a year to study how she spoke and sang. Spacek did all her own singing in the movie.

Lou Diamond Phillips’ breakout role was playing the late Ritchie Valens in „La Bamba.”

Lou Diamond Phillips' breakout role was playing the late Ritchie Valens in
Ritchie Valens and Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens.
Del-FIr Records/Amazon and Columbia Pictures

The biopic about the teen musician earned a Golden Globe nomination. Los Lobos singer David Hidalgo lent his vocals to the film, while Phillips lip-synced the words. A guitar instructor was also on-set to coach him on strumming the guitar.

Diana Ross transformed into Billie Holiday for „Lady Sings the Blues.”

Diana Ross transformed into Billie Holiday for
Billie Holiday in 1958 and Diana Ross in „Lady Sings the Blues.”
AP Photo/File and Paramount Pictures

Ross, a famous musician in her own right, played Holiday in this 1972 biographical movie based on Holiday’s autobiography of the same name. The movie was nominated for five Oscars, including best actress in a leading role.

Marc Anthony played salsa singer Héctor Lavoe in 2006’s „El Cantante.”

Marc Anthony played salsa singer Héctor Lavoe in 2006's
Héctor Lavoe on the cover of „La Voz” and Marc Anthony in „El Cantante.”
Fania Records and Picturehouse

The biopic was told from the perspective of Lavoe’s wife Puchi, who was played by Jennifer Lopez. The movie was controversial for focusing on Lavoe’s drug addiction and death from AIDS, which he contracted through sharing needles.

Ethan Hawke learned trumpet basics to portray Chet Baker in „Born to Be Blue.”

Ethan Hawke learned trumpet basics to portray Chet Baker in
Chet Baker and Ethan Hawke in „Born to Be Blue.”
Keystone/Getty Images and Entertainment One

Trumpeter Ben Promane helped Hawke grasp basic trumpet skills and taught him how to look like he played the trumpet with his front teeth missing, like Baker. The movie was more drama than biopic though.

Michael Douglas won an Emmy for playing flamboyant pianist Liberace in „Behind the Candelabra.”

Michael Douglas won an Emmy for playing flamboyant pianist Liberace in
Liberace in 1984 and Michael Douglas in „Behind the Candelabra.”
AP Photo/Mario Cabrera and HBO

The movie was based on the memoir „Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace,” written by Scott Thorson, Liberace’s lover later in life. Matt Damon plays Thorson in the movie. Douglas didn’t actually playthe piano for the film.

David Carradine played folk singer Woody Guthrie in the Oscar-winning movie „Bound for Glory.”

David Carradine played folk singer Woody Guthrie in the Oscar-winning movie
Woody Guthrie and David Carradine in „Bound for Glory.”
 AP Photo and United Artists

Aside from Guthrie and his first wife Mary, most of the people and events portrayed in the movie are fictional. The movie earned six Oscar nominations, including best picture, and won for music and cinematography.

Rami Malek plays Queen front man Freddie Mercury in „Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Rami Malek plays Queen front man Freddie Mercury in
Freddie Mercury and Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images and 20th Century Fox

The „Mr. Robot” star is playing the musician in the biographical movie „Bohemian Rhapsody,” named after Queen’s hit song. The film follows 15 years of Mercury’s life — from the band’s beginnings to six years before his death.

Renée Zellweger will be playing Judy Garland in „Judy.”

Renée Zellweger will be playing Judy Garland in
Judy Garland in the 1950s and Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland.
Pathé UK and Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The upcoming biopic will center on the „Wizard of Oz” actress’s final concerts in London before her death at 47.

Taron Egerton is playing Elton John in „Rocketman.”

Taron Egerton is playing Elton John in
Elton John and Taron Egerton as Elton John.
Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty Images and Paramount Pictures

The Elton John biopic „Rocketman” is supposed to be about John’s rise to musical acclaim starting from his years at the Royal Academy of Music. Jamie Bell, Gemma Jones, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Richard Madden are also starring in the movie, which will hit theaters May 31, 2019.

 

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