1. This is Elvis Presley, who was dubbed “The King of Rock and Roll.”
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Here’s Austin Butler as Elvis in the upcoming film Elvis (2022).
Warner Bros.
And here’s a side-by-side of Elvis Presley and Austin Butler in the movie.
Getty Images / Warner Bros.
2. This is Elton John, who is one of the most influential singer-songwriters in pop music history.
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Here’s Taron Egerton as Elton in the movie Rocketman (2019).
David Appleby / Paramount / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Elton John and Taron Egerton in the movie.
Getty Images / Paramount / Everett Collection
This is Freddie Mercury, who was a singer-songwriter and the iconic lead singer of the band Queen.
Phil Dent / Redferns / Getty
Here’s Rami Malek as Freddie in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
Alex Bailey / 20th Century Fox / Everett
And here’s a side-by-side of Freddie Mercury and Rami Malek in the movie.
Getty / 20th Century Fox / Everett Collection
3. This is Aretha Franklin, who has been dubbed “The Queen of Soul.”
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Here’s Jennifer Hudson as Aretha in Respect (2021).
MGM / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson in the movie.
Getty / Everett Collection
4. This is Selena Quintanilla, who’s dubbed the “Queen of Tejano Music.”
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Here’s Jennifer Lopez as Selena in the movie Selena (1997).
Warner Bros.
And here’s a side-by-side of Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez in the movie.
Getty Images / Warner Bros.
5. This is Tina Turner, who’s dubbed the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
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Here’s Angela Bassett as Tina in the movie What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993).
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And here’s a side-by-side of Tina Turner and Angela Bassett in the movie.
Getty Images / Buena Vista / Everett Collection
6. This is Tommy Lee (and Pamela Anderson), who is a founding member and drummer for the metal band Mötley Crüe.
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Here’s Sebastian Stan (and Lily James) as Tommy in the limited series Pam and Tommy (2022).
Hulu
And here’s a side-by-side of Tommy Lee and Sebastian Stan in the series.
Getty Images / Hulu
7. This is Jonathan Larson, who was a composer and lyricist best known for the musicals Rent and Tick, Tick… Boom!
Here’s Andrew Garfield as Jonathan in the movie Tick, Tick…Boom! (2021).
Netflix
And here’s a side-by-side of Jonathan Larson and Andrew Garfield in the movie.
youtube.com / Netflix
8. This is Bob Dylan, who’s widely known as one of the best songwriters of all time.
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Here’s Cate Blanchett as Bob in the movie I’m Not There (2007).
Weinstein Company / Courtesy Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Bob Dylan and Cate Blanchett in the movie.
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9. This is Jim Morrison, who was a songwriter, poet, and lead singer of the band the Doors.
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Here’s Val Kilmer as Jim in the movie The Doors (1991).
Tristar Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Jim Morrison and Val Kilmer in the movie.
Getty Images / TriStar / Everett Collection
10. This is Jimi Hendrix, who was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and “the most gifted instrumentalist of all time.”
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Here’s André 3000 as Jimi in the movie Jimi: All Is by My Side (2014).
Open Road Films / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Jimi Hendrix and André 3000 in the movie.
Getty Images / Open Road Films / Everett
11. This is Buddy Holly, who was a singer-songwriter and one of the most influential artists in mid-1950s rock ‘n’ roll.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty
Here’s Gary Busey as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Buddy Holly and Gary Busey in the movie.
Getty Images / Columbia / Everett Collection
12. This is Ian Curtis, who was the lead singer and lyricist for the band Joy Division.
Rob Verhorst / Redferns / Getty
Here’s Sam Riley as Ian in Control (2007).
Weinstein Company / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Ian Curtis and Sam Riley in the movie.
Getty Images / TWC / Everett Collection
13. This is Johnny Cash, who was a singer-songwriter and an influential figure in American country music history.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty
This is Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny in the movie Walk the Line (2005).
20th Century Fox / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Johnny Cash and Joaquin Phoenix in the movie.
Getty Images / 20th Century Fox / Everett Collection
14. This is Sid Vicious, who was an English musician best known as being the bassist for the band the Sex Pistols.
Roberta Bayley / Redferns / Getty Images
Here’s Gary Oldman as Sid in the movie Sid and Nancy (1986).
Samuel Goldwyn Films / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Sid Vicious and Gary Oldman in the movie.
Getty Images / Samuel Goldwyn Films / Everett Collection
15. This is Judy Garland, who was an actor and singer, best known for starring in The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Keystone / Getty Images
Here’s Renée Zellweger as Judy in the movie Judy (2019).
Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Judy Garland and Renée Zellweger in the movie.
Getty Images / Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection
16. This is Ray Charles, who was a singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer often regarded as “The Genius.”
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Here’s Jamie Foxx as Ray in the movie Ray (2004).
Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx in the movie.
Getty Images / Universal / Everett Collection
17. This is Édith Piaf, who was one of France’s most popular singers internationally.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Here’s Marion Cotillard as Édith in the movie La Vie En Rose (2007).
Picturehouse / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Édith Piaf and Marion Cotillard in the movie.
Getty Images / Picturehouse / Everett Collection
18. This is Brian Wilson, a singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Beach Boys.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Here’s Paul Dano as Brian in the movie Love & Mercy (2014).
Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Brian Wilson and Paul Dano in the movie.
Getty Images / Roadside Attractions / Everett Collection
19. Finally, this is Joan Jett, who is a singer best known for the group Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and a founder of the band the Runaways.
Roberta Bayley / Redferns / Getty Images
Here’s Kristen Stewart as Joan in the movie The Runaways (2010).
Apparition / Everett Collection
And here’s a side-by-side of Joan Jett and Kristen Stewart in the movie.
Getty Images / Apparition / Everett Collection