25 Iconic Movie Characters Based On Real People: Prove You Can Name Them All

Jason Sargent Monday, February 16, 2026

Raquel TeixeiraMon, February 16, 2026 at 7:31 AM UTC

In this quiz, we’re diving into 25 biographical movies that bring real-life figures to the big screen. From historical dramas to modern biopics, your challenge is to guess which famous person is being portrayed in each film. 💁‍♀️

Can you guess who Austin Butler embodies in his breakout role? Or which historical figure does Natalie Portman bring to life in the movie Jackie (2016)?

It’s time to see if you can match the movie to the famous real-life star it portrays. Let’s get started…🎥⭐

🚀 💡 Want more or looking for something else? Head over to the Bored Panda Quizzes and explore our full collection of quizzes and trivia designed to test your knowledge, reveal hidden insights, and spark your curiosity.💡 🚀

Image credits: DreamWorks Pictures

Which famous person is being portrayed in this film?

◯ Syd Barrett ◯ Brian Johnson ◯ Freddie Mercury ◯ Steven Tyler

Can you guess the famous person portrayed here?

◯ Franklin D. Roosevelt ◯ Sir Winston Churchill ◯ J. Robert Oppenheimer ◯ Charles de Gaulle

Who does Austin Butler portray in this movie?

◯ Elton John ◯ Michael Jackson ◯ Elvis Presley ◯ Bruce Springsteen

Fill in the gaps: In this 2001 movie, _____ portrays _____.

◯ Denzel Washington / Muhammad Ali ◯ Will Smith / Muhammad Ali ◯ Chris Rock / Malcolm x ◯ Will Smith / Martin Luther King Jr.

Who does Natalie Portman portray in the historical drama film Jackie (2016)?

◯ Civil rights leader’s wife ◯ Iconic actress and singer ◯ Prime Minister of the UK ◯ John F. Kennedy’s wife

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 film about a skilled con artist (Leonardo DiCaprio) who is pursued by an FBI agent (Tom Hanks). What is the con man’s name?

◯ Carl Hanratty ◯ Tom Ripley ◯ Frank Abagnale Jr. ◯ Jordan R. Belfort

Is it true or false that Ed Harris played Ludwig van Beethoven in Copying Beethoven (2006)?