15+ Actors Who Nailed Their Roles So Perfectly That Are Impossible to Match Up According to People

Find out about the top actor-character pairs that have won the hearts of audiences. When we think of James Bond, we picture the face of Daniel Craig. This is because an actor’s performance and physical attributes can leave a lasting impression on the character they portray. Read on to see if your favorite actor-character duo made the list.

1. Jack Gleeson as Prince Joffrey in Game of Thrones.

“I absolutely loathed the character. It took me a while to realize that that was in part because of Gleason’s superb acting.”

“Watch his audition video, it’s absolutely incredible how his entire demeanor shifts in a mere moment from a happy kid joking around to the sinister sniveling sneering of Joffrey.”

Take a look here at other Game of Thrones actors you most probably won’t recognize without makeup.

2. Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown and Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in Back to the Future.

“Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox have to be one of the greatest movie pairings in history. They played off each other so well.”

3. Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean in Mr. Bean.

“At this point, it is safe to say that Mr. Bean plays Rowan Atkinson.”

“He can say so much without even saying a word. I can’t imagine anyone else coming close to him for the role.”

4. Alan Rickman as Snape in Harry Potter.

“When I read the Harry Potter books again, I kept imagining Rickman as Snape.”

“I’m reading the Harry Potter series for the first time now, and I can separate each character from the movies and picture them as the book describes them, except Alan Rickman — the perfect casting.”

5. Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter.

“I’ve rarely hated an actor as much as I hated her... brilliant performance.”

If you are curious to know what your favorite Harry Potter actors looked like when younger, read this article here.

6. Ian McKellen as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.

“Because the first moment I see Gandalf on screen, I was like, ’OMG IT’S GANDALF! Just like I pictured him in my head!’”

7. Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings.

“Especially remarkable since Mortensen was a last-minute hire after the initial Aragorn.”

“I think most of the main LOTR cast were so perfectly cast, but yeah, Viggo went that one step further. Aluminum swords? Nah, doesn’t swing right. Say goodbye to your horse after the filming is done? Nah, buddy, you’re coming home with me.”

Here are some other actors who had a chance to portray a legendary character but missed it.

8. Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad.

“After Breaking Bad ended Anthony Hopkins sent a message to Bryan Cranston telling him that his portrayal of Walter White was some of the finest actings he had ever seen in his life.”

“I didn’t know him before watching Breaking Bad, and I was really impressed by his range. Walter’s character development is incredible, and Cranston nailed it.”

9. Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins

“It’s probably childhood bias on my part, but she perfected that role. It’s an iconic role that’s almost untouchable.”

10. Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds.

“I recently learned that it took ages for Inglorious to go from script to production, because Quentin couldn’t find the right person to do Landa. Mr Waltz secured the role, and hence the film, within minutes of auditioning.”

“Waltz was the reason that movie was made. Tarantino wasn’t going to make the movie until he found the perfect Hans Landa.”

11. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

“I think it will be very hard for anyone to buy another adult actor as Indiana Jones. It isn’t as if Harrison Ford’s acting is spectacular or anything, he just ‘IS’ Indiana Jones for most people.”

“Didn’t Harrison basically say that? I saw an interview and I think it was in response to who should play Indy after he retires, and he pretty much went, ’No one. I am Indiana Jones.’”

12. Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal.

“I feel bad sometimes because he still creeps the hell out of me. That was the first thing I saw him in, and I saw it kinda young, and I’ve never been able to see his face without being uncomfortable.”

“Mads Mikelson channeled the character, but Sir Anthony Hopkins WAS Hannibal Lecter.”

13. Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in Misery.

“I don’t think I’ve ever not felt a minor shudder whenever that role comes up. That’s how good/perfect she was.”

“She gave me nightmares.”

14. Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man in Iron Man.

“I don’t think anyone can ever take the place of Robert Downey Jr. as Stark.”

“Robert Downey Jr.’s performance was incredible. Some people even know him as Tony Stark rather than Robert Downey Jr.”

15. Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family.

“Nothing can beat the sheer feral nature of Ricci!!”

“I was just about to write Christina Ricci as Wednesday. Her performance was perfect.”

16. Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump.

“There are a lot of reasons you couldn’t remake Forrest Gump nowadays, but among them is the fact that I can’t imagine anyone else putting so much depth and beauty into this role.”

“There are a lot of reasons you couldn’t remake Forrest Gump nowadays, but among them is the fact that I can’t imagine anyone else putting so much depth and beauty into this role.”

17. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean

“Seeing someone else try to play Jack Sparrow would just be wrong.”

“Seriously, if you were to put Jack Sparrow and Johnny Depp side by side, I would swear they are completely different people. He did that performance just so well and made the character his own, it’s incredible. Perfect balance between ridiculous comedy and seriousness.”

All of these characters have made an impression that we will remember forever. However, Johnny Depp’s iconic characters always leave us speechless.