Jesus of Nazareth (b. 0-30 AD) Not everyone can cause a stir about the most famous historical figure of all time, but Mel Gibson achieved that — and put a whole new spin on Jesus — with The Passion of the Christ (2004). For the fans: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (b. 1756 – 1791) By taking some dramatic license, Miloš Forman made the Austrian composer and child prodigy seem cool and funny in his Oscar darling Amadeus (1984).
Marie Antoinette (b. 1755 – 1793) Leave it to Sofia Coppola to turn the French queen’s life into a party with cake and '80s music in Marie Antoinette (2006). Why weren’t we invited? For the fans: Marie Antoinette (1938)
Oscar Wilde (b. 1854 – 1900) With the help of an all-star supporting cast — from Jude Law to Vanessa Redgrave — Stephen Fry did justice to Oscar’s entire life in Wilde (1997), something the other biopics about the flamboyant writer never achieved. For the fans: The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960)
Howard Hughes (b. 1905 – 1976) In The Aviator (2004), Leonardo DiCaprio did an impressive turn as the obsessive-compulsive magnate, balancing Hughes’ many romantic escapades with his outrageous professional ambition. For the fans: The Amazing Howard Hughes (1977), Melvin and Howard (1980)
Richard Nixon (b. 1913 – 1994) Frank Langella infused the embattled president’s hard exterior with a surprising vulnerability that we would never have expected from Tricky Dick in Frost/Nixon (2008). For the fans: Nixon (1995), Dick (1999)
Truman Capote (b. 1924 – 1984) In Capote (2005), Philip Seymour Hoffman delivered an uncanny performance as the intelligent, peculiar author and Manhattan celebrity who brought us classics like In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Johnny Cash (b. 1932 – 2003) Joaquin Phoenix perfectly embodied the singer/songwriter — from his singing to his country twang — in Walk the Line (2005). Reese Witherspoon did an equally impressive job as his sweetheart, June Carter.
Tina Turner (b. 1939 – present) Angela Bassett packed an emotional wallop as the Tennessee-bred rock goddess in What’s Love Got to Do with It? (1993), but we’re more interested in how she handled Tina’s famous mane.
