15 Iconic Characters Portrayed By Several Actors, And We Couldn't Decide Who Was The Best

Whether on stage, screen, or in the pages of a best-selling book, it seems quite rare to create an iconic character. However, there are some actors who were “born to play” their iconic characters. They fit their assigned characters so perfectly that we can only describe these occurrences as miracles. Legendary roles like James Bond by Sean Connery, Vito Corleone by Marlon Brando, and Superman by Christopher Reeve, have left us with profound feelings and made them irreplaceable to the general audience.
However, it is not always like this. As the years go by and new generations arise, more and more films featuring these iconic characters are produced. It may be prequels, sequels, or even outright reboots. As a result, actors had to be replaced. Hence, some characters have been played by more than one actor.
From Joker to Spider-Man, here are some examples of well-known characters that have been portrayed by several actors. Which characters do you like? And who is the best fit for your favorite characters? Let us know in the comments below!

#1 Superman

Christopher Reeve in "Superman" (1978)

Source: Superman

Tom Welling in "Smallville" (2001–2011)

Source: Smallville

Henry Cavill in "Man of Steel" (2013)

Source: Man of Steel

Tyler Hoechlin in "Superman and Lois" (2021)

Source: Superman and Lois

#2 Joker

Jack Nicholson in "Batman" (1989)

Source: Batman

Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" (2008)

Source: The Dark Knight

Jared Leto in "Suicide Squad" (2016)

Source: Suicide Squad

Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker" (2019)

Source: Joker

#3 Willy Wonka

Gene Wilder in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1977)

Source: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Johnny Depp in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005)

Source: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

#4 Cinderella

Julie Andrews in "Cinderella" (1957)

Source: Cinderella

Brandy in "Cinderella" (1997)

Source: Cinderella

Lily James in "Cinderella" (2015)

Source: Cinderella

Camila Cabello in "Cinderella" (2021)

Source: Cinderella

#5 Spider-Man

Tobey Maguire in "Spider-Man" (2002)

Source: Spider-Man

Andrew Garfield in "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012)

Source: The Amazing Spider-Man

Tom Holland in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017) and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021)

Source: Spider-Man: Homecoming

#6 Catwoman

Eartha Kitt in "Batman" (1967–1968)

Source: Batman

Michelle Pfeiffer in "Batman Returns" (1992)

Source: Batman Returns

Halle Berry in "Catwoman" (2004)

Source: Catwoman

Anne Hathaway in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012)

Source: The Dark Knight Rises

#7 James Bond

Sean Connery in "Dr. No" (1962)

Source: Dr. No

Roger Moore in "Live and Let Die" (1973)

Source: Live and Let Die

Pierce Brosnan in "GoldenEye" (1995)

Source: GoldenEye

Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale" (2006)

Source: Casino Royale

#8 Morgan Matthews

Lily Nicksay in "Boy Meets World" (1993–1995)

Source: Boy Meets World

Lindsay Ridgeway in "Boy Meets World" (1996–2000)

Source: Boy Meets World

#9 Vito Corleone

Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" (1972)

Source: The Godfather

Robert De Niro in "The Godfather Part II" (1974)

Source: The Godfather Part II

#10 Dumbledore

Richard Harris in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001)

Source: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Michael Gambon in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004)

Source: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Jude Law in "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" (2018)

Source: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

#11 Annie

Aileen Quinn in "Annie" (1982)

Source: Annie

Alicia Morton in "Annie" (1999)

Source: Annie

Quvenzhané Wallis in "Annie" (2014)

Source: Annie

Celina Smith in "Annie Live!" (2021)

Source: Annie Live!

#12 Santa

Edmund Gwenn in "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)

Source: Miracle on 34th Street

Tim Allen in "The Santa Clause" (1994)

Source: The Santa Clause

Ed Asner in "Elf" (2003)

Source: Elf

#13 Doctor

David Tennant in "Doctor Who" (2005-2010)

Source: Doctor Who

Matt Smith in "Doctor Who" (2010–2013)

Source: Doctor Who

Peter Capaldi in "Doctor Who" (2013–2017)

Source: Doctor Who

Jodie Whittaker in "Doctor Who" (2017–present)

Source: Doctor Who

#14 Aunt Viv

Janet Hubert in "The Fresh Prince" (1990–1993)

Source: The Fresh Prince

Daphne Maxwell Reid in "The Fresh Prince" (1993–1996)

Source: The Fresh Prince

#15 Rhodey/War Machine

Terrence Howard in "Iron Man" (2008)

Source: Iron Man

Don Cheadle in "Iron Man 2" (2011)

Source: Iron Man 2