Art Imitating Life: 10 Biopic Actors Who Got It Right

From Denzel Washington in 'Malcolm X' to Julia Roberts in 'Erin Brockovich'

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In the upcoming biopic The Fifth Estate, Benedict Cumberbatch plays WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The film is slated to open the Oscar buzz factory known as the  Toronto International Film Festival.

(Playing a historical figure is a great way to earn an Oscar nod.  Just ask Helen Mirren — of Dame Helen’s four Academy Award nominations, three are for her work in biopics.)

Here are 10 Academy Award-nominated actors and actresses, shown with the real-life figures they captured on screen.

In the upcoming biopic The Fifth Estate, Benedict Cumberbatch plays WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The film is slated to open the Oscar buzz factory known as the  Toronto International Film Festival.

(Playing a historical figure is a great way to earn an Oscar nod.  Just ask Helen Mirren — of Dame Helen’s four Academy Award nominations, three are for her work in biopics.)

Here are 10 Academy Award-nominated actors and actresses, shown with the real-life figures they captured on screen.