Sometimes, a performance can seem too precise to be simply the product of an actors imagination, or as just a result of fine writing on the page. When an accent or a quirk appears too specific to just simply have been invented, chances are it was probably found somewhere else. There have been some notable and well-covered examples over the years of actors using real people as the basis for performances; Orson Welles modelled Citizen Kanes titular newspaper baron on actual newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, Dustin Hoffman took major inspiration from savant Kim Peek to play the autistic title character in Rain Man, and Johnny Depp channelled Keith Richards for Jack Sparrow. Of course, you already know about those. This list is about ten more recent examples, with one rule: these have to be unofficial interpretations a cast member playing a younger or older version of another actor and successfully imitating that actor doesnt count (though for a good recent example, see Jeremy Irvine doing a spot-on Colin Firth impression in The Railway Man). Often, such examples make for a fascinating insight into the mind of an actor, trying to wear anothers skin in order to bring something unique to a role. More often than not, these characters are inspired out of the actor's affection (and, occasionally, disdain) for said person, and they always, always make for memorable creations.
Lover of film, writer of words, pretentious beyond belief. Thinks Scorsese and Kubrick are the kings of cinema, but PT Anderson and David Fincher are the dashing young princes. Follow Brogan on twitter if you can take shameless self-promotion: @BroganMorris1
