12 Historical Figures Who Were Played Different Actors, Leaving Us in a Debate Frenzy: Who Did It Best?

Ah, the age-old question that has kept us up at night and fueled many a heated debate: who played the historical figure better? Was it the rugged, chiseled jawline of actor A or the captivating, soulful gaze of actor B? Well, buckle up, history buffs, because we're diving headfirst into the ultimate showdown of historical portrayals.
From queens to presidents, activists to artists, we've rounded up 12 history-makers who have been brought to life on the big and small screens by a variety of talented actors. And let me tell you, the opinions are flying faster than a cannonball at a Civil War reenactment.
We'll be taking a deep dive into each portrayal, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each performance. So, whether you're a die-hard history buff or just someone who enjoys a good old-fashioned debate, this is one showdown you won't want to miss. Let the games begin!
Grab your popcorn and get ready to weigh in on the age-old question: who did it best? (Hint: it's probably not who you think.)

#1 Olympias

Source: © Alexander the Great / C.B. Films S.A. and co-producers, © Alexander / Warner Bros. and co-producers

Despite Alexander the Great's fascinating life, there aren't many films about him. The two most well-known films are Alexander the Great (1956) and Oliver Stone's Alexander (2004). One common theme in both movies is the significant role of Olympias, Alexander's mother.
In the first film, Danielle Darrieux portrayed Olympias as a powerful and charismatic queen who used her family, her own attractiveness, and intrigue to climb the ranks to power.
Similarly, in Oliver Stone's Alexander, Angelina Jolie portrayed Olympias as a strong and ambitious woman who sought power through schemes and her son.

#2 Queen Gorgo

Source: © The 300 Spartans / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, © 300 / Warner Bros. and co-producers

The epic tale of the 300 Spartans has been adapted for the big screen twice, with different actresses bringing their own interpretations to the role of the Spartan queen. In the 1962 film, Anna Synodinou played King Leonidas' wife, portraying her as a loyal and devoted spouse to the great monarch, although the role was minor.
In the 2006 film, Lena Headey took on the role of Queen Gorgo, who holds even more power than her predecessor. Headey's portrayal shows Gorgo as a fierce and determined woman who tries to persuade the Spartan Council to provide aid to the 300. The character of Gorgo is more prominent in this version, showcasing the strength and intelligence of the Spartan women.

#3 Coco Chanel

Source: © Coco avant Chanel / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky / Eurowide Film Production and co-producers

In 2009, audiences were treated to two films about this well-known fashion designer. Audrey Tautou plays a young girl who is looking for her way to the top in the film Coco Before Chanel.
The film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, starring Anna Mouglalis, explores the tale of the legendary Chanel No. 5 perfume's development. It also exposes the interaction between these two gifted individuals.

#4 Queen Victoria

Source: © Mädchenjahre einer Königin / Erma-Film and co-producers, © Mrs Brown / BBC Scotland and co-producers, © The Young Victoria / GK Films and co-producers

Queen Victoria has been portrayed in several films, with The Tale of Vickie being one of the most romantic depictions. Starring 16-year-old Romy Schneider, the film portrays Victoria as a charming, intelligent, and curious young woman who falls in love with her future husband.
Judi Dench has also played the role of Queen Victoria twice, first in the 1997 film Mrs. Brown where she mourns the loss of her husband, and then in Victoria and Abdul where she is depicted as a strong-willed woman who becomes more compassionate after befriending a young Indian man.
In the 2009 film The Young Victoria, Emily Blunt portrays the heiress to the throne who must fight against her own relatives for the right to make her own decisions. The film also focuses on the deep love between Victoria and Prince Albert, who encourages her in her quest for autonomy.

#5 Vincent van Gogh

Source: © Lust for Life / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and co-producers, © Van Gogh: Painted with Words / British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and co-producers, © At Eternity's Gate / CBS Films and co-producers

Vincent van Gogh's life has inspired many filmmakers to create movies centered around the legendary painter. The first film, Lust for Life, was released in 1956 and starred Kirk Douglas as the gifted yet disturbed artist. The movie explores van Gogh's obsession with art, mixed with his mental illness, leading to a life full of failed relationships and sorrow.
In 2010, the TV movie Painted with Words was released, with Benedict Cumberbatch playing the role of van Gogh. The movie's dialogue was taken entirely from the artist's own words, creating a refined and civilized portrait of a tortured man.
Willem Dafoe also portrayed van Gogh in the 2018 film At Eternity's Gate. Like previous portrayals, he depicted a mentally strained van Gogh, but with a unique philosophical outlook on life.

#6 Henry V

Source:  © Henry V / Renaissance Films and co-producers, © Henry V / British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and co-producers, © The King / Netflix and co-producers

Henry V, one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters, has been a favorite of filmmakers for decades. Kenneth Branagh not only directed, but also starred in one of the earliest films about the English king, simply titled Henry V. Considered by many to be the finest film depicting the king's life, Branagh's portrayal highlights Henry's leadership and courage during wartime.
In 2012, Tom Hiddleston took on the role of Henry V in the fourth episode of The Hollow Crown TV series. Hiddleston's portrayal presents a king who is not only brave, but also honest, emotional, and compassionate.
The most recent adaptation of Henry V came in the form of the 2019 film, The King, with Timothée Chalamet in the titular role. Chalamet brings a fresh perspective to the character, portraying Henry as a young and vulnerable king who tries to hide his emotions behind a mask of sternness.

#7 Casanova

Source: © Le retour de Casanova / Les Films Alain Sarde and co-producers, © Casanova / Touchstone Pictures and co-producers

Alain Delon portrayed the passionate Italian Casanova in the 1992 film, The Return of Casanova. In this movie, his character is no longer young and his romantic escapades are a thing of the past. However, he still clings to his past and refuses to acknowledge his age.
In the 2005 film, Casanova, the late Heath Ledger played the titular character in a lighthearted comedy. The film follows the adventures of the famed seducer who falls in love with a woman who is not impressed by his charms. With Ledger's charisma and humor, the movie provides a refreshing take on the legendary Casanova, showing us a more comedic side to the character known for his romantic exploits.

#8 Elizabeth Báthory

Source: © The Brothers Grimm / Dimension Films and co-producers, © Bathory / Jakubisko Film Slovakia and co-producers

Elizabeth Báthory is known as the Bloody Countess in history. Her horrific tale has been adapted for the big screen several times. In the film The Brothers Grimm, Báthory was used as a pattern for the wicked queen who enticed and slaughtered young girls in order to keep them young. Monica Bellucci portrayed her.
Bathory: Countess of Blood, starring Anna Friel, was released in 2008. The filmmakers attempted to reflect true historical events by portraying Báthory as a noblewoman whose family had considerable power in the region in which they lived. She became a victim of her neighbors' scheming, and the majority of the evidence against her was falsified.

#9 Marie Curie

Source: © Madame Curie / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and co-producers, © Radioactive / StudioCanal and co-producers

In 1943, Marie Curie's life was brought to the big screen for the first time. Greer Garson plays the titular character in the film Madame Curie. The famed scientist is portrayed as an attractive student who wins the heart of Pierre Curie, an accomplished physicist, and a sworn bachelor.
The story of the 2019 film Radioactive centers around Curie's invention. Rosamund Pike plays the female lead.

#10 Henry VIII

Source: © The Private Life of Henry VIII / London Film Productions and co-producers, © The Six Wives of Henry VIII / British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and co-producers, © The Other Boleyn Girl / Columbia Pictures and co-producers

Henry VIII, who was married six times, has appeared in a number of films. Charles Laughton, for example, played the monarch twice: once in the 1933 film The Private Life of Henry VIII and again 20 years later in Young Bess. His performance in the first film even got him an Oscar nomination. His Henry was kind and a little naughty.
Keith Michell, a British actor, also played the notorious king twice, in the television shows The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth R. His Henry turned out to be precisely as we imagine him to be: ruthless and dictatorial.
Eric Bana's depiction of Henry VIII in the 2008 film The Other Boleyn Girl has become one of the most unforgettable. We remember him as a handsome and passionate man.

#11 Nikola Tesla

Source: © Sanctuary / Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund and co-producers, © Tesla / Millennium Media and co-producers

In the TV series Sanctuary (2008-2011), the character of Nikola Tesla was portrayed by Jonathon Young, and what's particularly fascinating is that he's depicted as a vampire.
Fast forward to 2020, and we were treated to Tesla, a biopic featuring Ethan Hawke in the lead role. In this film, Tesla's brilliant scientific achievements take center stage and are integral to the plot.

#12 Marguerite de Valois

Source: © La reine Margot / Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France and co-producers, © La reine Margot / Renn Productions and co-producers

In 1944, the tragic narrative of the queen was dramatized for the movie for the first time. Marguerite of Valois was played by French actress Jeanne Moreau, who depicted her as a beautiful and passionate lady.
Isabelle Adjani takes up the role of Marguerite de Valois in 1994. She was able to delve further into the character, exposing the Queen of Navarre's sorrow.