Who doesn’t love the tag ‘based on a true story’ in movies? It makes us more interested to know the tale as it truly happened in reality. Now, what if it was also based on your favorite movie star’s life?
In this list, we’ve compiled films that brought real actors’ stories to the spotlight—check out if your beloved star is mentioned here!
James Dean
James Franco played his own namesake in this 2001 biographical film. Dean’s untimely death at just 24 years shocked his huge fan base and all of Hollywood alike. So the movie recounts the Rebel With a Cause star’s rocky life right from the roots to his death, winning a SAG award and a Golden Globe for Franco in the process!
Judy
Renee Zellweger became Judy Garland for the movie
Bridget Jones’s Diary star, Renee Zellweger, won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the biopic. The movie follows the single actress’s final year, and it’s captivating to watch what transpired in her iconic life.
The King of Staten Island
A film based on Pete Davidson’s life
The semi-autobiographical movie is based on stand-up comedian Pete Davidson’s life. From growing up in the streets of Staten Island, the loss of his father, and finding new meaning through stand-up comedy, Pete’s life is masterfully brought to life by Pete himself.
Mommie Dearest
Based on Christina Crawford’s memoir, recounting the abusive horrors of living with her stepmother, the 1981 film by Frank Perry was a hit. Who else is better to act as the victim than Christina herself?
Burton & Taylor
The ‘80s power couple, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s romance on the set of their 1983 play, Private Lives, is explored in this made-for-TV film. The roles are played by Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter.
Dragon- The Bruce Lee Story
Bruce Lee’s journey to the top of the martial arts arena is depicted in this 1993, Robe Cohen movie. Bruce is portrayed by Jason Scott Lee.
Frances
Jessica Lange embodies actress Frances Farmer in this silver-screen account of the actress’s rise and fall in an ‘80s Hollywood.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
The Life of Death of Peter Sellers – a movie worth watching
Pink Panther star, Peter Sellers’ life as written by Roger Lewis, is the basis for this biopic. Geoffrey Rush resembles Sellers with astounding accuracy in the movie.
Here’s hoping this list sparked an interest in you to tick off these movies on your must-watch list! After all, there’s much to learn from biopics, especially if you are a Hollywood fanatic. What better way to delve into the actual lives behind the glamorous facades of showbiz?