Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Side-By-Side Pics Of Characters People “Refuse To Believe” Are Played By The Same Actors
In Hollywood, there's plenty of parallel universes, with each movie having its own (little) world. However, whether we're talking about a ship crossing the Atlantic or a dystopian Chicago, these places need inhabitants too. Otherwise, we just wouldn't care about them.
So actors cross these boundaries, assuming different identities with each leap into a new setting. And some of their transformations are so radical, it's hard to even realize the same person is behind them.
Inspired by Lindsey Nielson, TikTok users started to point out which characters they refuse to believe are played by the same actor, so we here at Bored Panda decided to build upon this interesting idea and expand it into a list!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Sirius Black From Harry Potter And Zorg From Fifth Element
Played by: Gary Oldman
Lindsey said she was just lying around watching TV and scrolling through TikTok when she saw @Juliana.eliz share a video on Zooey Deschanel between her two characters as Jess from New Girl and Jovie from Elf. "The first thing that came to my mind was Catherine O'Hara. During Christmas, I watched a lot of Home Alone and had just finished Schitt's Creek and surprisingly didn't put two and two together 'til I decided to look up the cast and that's when I realized and my mind was blown! And thought so would everyone else's if I make this and so it did!" she told Bored Panda.
"I absolutely love the actress Catherine O'Hara which is why I was so ashamed when I didn't realize this sooner," Lindsey added. "I love her roles in Nightmare before Christmas (Sally, Shock) and Beetlejuice (Delia Deetz) and so many more!"
RELATED:
#2
Harry From Love Actually And Prof. Severus Snape From Harry Potter
Played by: Alan Rickman
Of course, the visuals are just part of a viral TikTok and this trend may have not started if it wasn't for the perfect audio track too. "I chose that particular song because it seemed to pair well with the introduction and then the beat drop for the climax when finding out the two characters as @Juliana.eliz did as well!" Lindsey explained why she settled on a remix of Roisin Murphy's - Rama Lama (Bang Bang).
As for the actors, I think they definitely would appreciate getting featured in one of these TikToks. "I think that's what all actors want, to show as much versatility as they can, and do as many different kinds of things as they can," Daniel Radcliffe said in one interview, and I think he was speaking for all of his colleagues!
#3
Captain Hook From Peter Pan And Lucius Malfoy From Harry Potter
Played by: Jason Isaacs
#4
Mr Tumnus From Narnia And Professor X From X-Men
Played by: James McAvoy
#5
Inigo Montoya From The Princess Bride And Jason Gideon From Criminal Minds
Played by: Mandy Patinkin
Mohsie Supposie 4 years ago
My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die! Now I know what his father looked like!
E Menendez 4 years ago (edited)
And what most people also do not realize is he is also a very accomplished singer specializing in Jewish folk songs. https://thejewishnews.com/2020/01/30/after-30-years-mandy-patinkin-is-still-doing-what-he-loves/
Load More Replies...
Truth Monster 4 years ago
I....I am stunned. I watched Criminal Minds for years but I never realized. ***mind blown**
Theoretical Empiricist 4 years ago
When you add his characters from "Alien Nation" and "Yentel", it becomes a game of "Find Mandy Patinkin".
SnakAttack 4 years ago (edited)
I love criminal minds so much I was mad when season two didn't have Gideon. I've rewatched the whole thing like 3 times. I'm also a huge princess bride fan. I have the vhs, dvd, Blu ray and I pre-ordered the book. I found this out several months ago still blows my mind. Btw if you're a fan of Mandy check out his tiktok videos by his son adorbs!!!!
Casey B 4 years ago
From what I have read, Mandy Patinkin left Criminal Minds because the story lines they used were taken from actual cases, and the crime scenes and the reenactments were giving him nightmares. He said he felt he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown, ironically like his character on the show went through.... The series was never as good after he left.
Load More Replies...
David Retsler 4 years ago
Doesn't he have some kind of germ phobia in real life or was that a character he played? (Monk?) He was an opera singer before he became an actor.
JessG 4 years ago
Didn't play Monk, but in real life, he does have some OCD. He was a stage actor before anything else. And now he's big in musical theater, and TV/movies. He also released an album of Yiddish songs, but never sang opera.
Load More Replies...
Alyssa Wakefield 4 years ago
Oh wow, childhood nostalgia that first one. Never knew that was him in the second one.
Teresa Groth 4 years ago
I absolutely love this Actor in both parts, very gifted and I never would have believed He was both characters, shocked of coarse!
Cathy Carey 4 years ago
He didn't stay with Criminal Minds for long - something about too much screaming and killing.
Judy Windham Saunders 4 years ago
Star of stage, screen and television. Mandy Patinkin can play anyone he wants, and sing anything he wants, whenever he wants and just seem to be effortlessly perfect. Shouldn't there at least be a picture of Che from Evita? Oh what a show! I swear if I got within a mile of this man, I'd die of the sheer force of his talent. Gee, and someday maybe I'll be a fan, y' think?
Alyssa Fiedler 4 years ago
they look a little alike, I am still in middle school, and my mom MADE me watch The Princess Bride.
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
Inconceivable! (Ah, but he has that beautiful voice of Che from Evita: "You were supposed to be immortal, that's all they wanted.")
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 4 years ago
I first saw and loved him on "Chicago Hope" and then recognized him at once in Princess Bride (it took a while for me to watch that one 😁) and of course easily in Criminal Minds.
deanna woods 4 years ago
I liked him as Inigo Montoya and liked him even more as Jason Gideon.
#6
Dudley Dursley From Harry Potter And Harry Beltik From The Queen's Gambit
Played by: Harry Melling
#7
Molly Weasley From The Harry Potter Series And Rosie Mulligan From Mamma Mia!
Played by: Julie Walters
#8
Kate Mccallister From Home Alone And Moira Rose From Schitt's Creek
Played by: Catherine O’Hara
#9
Cesar Flickerman From The Hunger Games And George Harvey From The Lovely Bones
Played by: Stanley Tucci
#10
Nanny Mcphee From Nanny Mcphee And Prof. Sybil Trelawney From Harry Potter
Played by: Emma Thompson
#11
Queen Elizabeth II From The Crown And Lisabeth Salander From Girl In The Spider's Web
Played by: Claire Foy
#12
Hal From Malcolm In The Middle And Walter White From Breaking Bad
Played by: Bryan Cranston
#13
Nymphadora Tonks From Harry Potter And Twi'lek From Mandalorian
Played by: Natalia Tena
#14
Poe Dameron From The Star Wars Series And Apocalypse From X-Men: Apocalypse
Played by: Oscar Isaac
#15
Bellatrix Lestrange From The Harry Potter Series And Princess Margaret From The Crown
Played by: Helena Bonham Carter
#16
Velma From Scooby Doo And Laura Barton From Avengers
Played by: Linda Cardellini
#17
Patrick Verona From 10 Things I Hate About You And The Joker From The Dark Knight
Played by: Heath Ledger
Steve Barnett 4 years ago
Gone too soon. RIP. FYI, the stuntman that the Joker killed with the pencil was my best friend growing up. Charles Jarman. Picture attached. charles-i-...044692.jpg 
#18
Danny Zuko From Grease And Edna Turnblad From Hairspray
Played by: John Travolta
#19
Kick-Ass And Quicksilver From The Avengers
Played by: Aaron Taylor-Johnson
#20
Elliot From E.T. The Extraterrestrial And Hugh Crain From The Haunting Of Hill House
Played by: Henry Thomas
Becky Moore 4 years ago
He's 10/11 in ET and almost 50 now; It would be super weird if he looked the same :P
#21
Selena Quintanilla From Selena And Angela Weber From Twilight
Played by: Christian Serratos
#22
Sheila From Shameless And Debbie From Addams Family Values
Played by: Joan Cusack
#23
Negan From The Walking Dead And Denny Duquette From Grey's Anatomy
Played by: Jeffrey Dean Morgan
#24
Daisy From Downton Abbey And Drisella From Cinderella
Played by: Sophie McShera
#25
Gwen From The Amazing Spiderman And Allison From Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past
Played by: Emma Stone
#27
Donna Sheridan From Mamma Mia And Miranda Priestly From Devil Wears Prada
Played by: Meryl Streep
Rick Seiden 4 years ago
How could you look at that face and NOT know who that is? I mean, she's a great actress, and the Meryl in her doesn't show through the characters she plays, but come on! It's Meryl Friggin' Streep.
#28
Jessica Day From New Girl And Jovie From Elf
Played by: Zooey Deschanel
#29
Barbara From Beetlejuice And Dr. Herman From Greys Anatomy
Played by: Geena Davis
Rick Seiden 4 years ago
How can you not know who this is? Gina Davis' features are so unique she'd have to be covered in prosthetics to not recognizer her.
#30
Troy Bolton From High School Musical And Ted Bundy From Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile
Played by: Zac Efron
#31
Sheila From Rocketman And Victoria From Twilight's Eclipse
Played by: Bryce Dallas Howard
Laura Craig 4 years ago
Okay I had to look into this and it actually ISN'T the same actress. The article I found explained it thus, "Rachelle Lefevre played the vampire Victoria in both Twilight and The Twilight Saga: New Moon, but the role was recast for the third movie, when Bryce Dallas Howard stepped in for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The production company, Summit Entertainment, said it was due to a scheduling conflict."
#32
Joyce Byers From Stranger Things And Kim From Edward Scissorhands
Played by: Winona Ryder
Biljana Malesevic 4 years ago
Well, to be honest there is 20 years of difference in between these.
#33
Mark Sloan From Grey's Anatomy And Cal Jacobs From Euphoria
Played by: Eric Dane
#34
Adam Maitland From Beetlejuice And Larry Quinn From Cat In The Hat
Played by: Alec Baldwin
#35
Cora Hale In Teen Wolf And Mary Stuart In Reign
Played by: Adelaide Kane
You are Beautiful (He,Him) 4 years ago
Roses are red, violets are blue, no one liked my comment so I had to.
#36
April Kepner From Grey's Anatomy And Suzy Pepper From Glee
Played by: Sarah Drew
#37
Garrett Reynolds From Pretty Little Liars And Paolo Valisari From The Lizzie Mcguire Movie
Played by: Yani Gellman
#38
Brixton Lore From Hobbs & Shaw And Macavity From Cats
Played by: Idris Elba
#39
Mickey Milkovich From Shameless And Vladimir From The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
Played by: Noel Fisher
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Charlotte A. 4 years ago
Most of these actors have such distinctive looks regardless of wigs and make up that I rather refuse to believe people cannot believe they're the same ones...
Ozacoter 4 years ago
Exactly. The only ones that I find very different are the actor and actress that play Lucius and Molly in Harry Potter. The rest are the same.
Load More Replies...
StIJN 4 years ago
quite a disappointing thread. As if people don't understand : age difference, changing clothes and coloring hair
StIJN 4 years ago
i must admit that when they use glasses it get's tricky
Load More Replies...
Jackson Gohn 4 years ago
Hair, make up, glasses and 20 years. It's not hard to believe that they're the same person.
Noel Benavente 4 years ago
I find harder to believe that there are some people who can't believe they are the same actor... most of them have decades performing and are pretty easy to recognize.
Haunting Spirit 4 years ago
Where is Tim Curry ? He played It in the 1990 series but also played in a lot of different movies like Home Alone 2.
Ozacoter 4 years ago
Also the huge difference between The three musketeers and Rocky Horrow.
Load More Replies...
Bole Perishon 4 years ago
Wow, it is as if these people transform into different characters with every new job.
Waffles 4 years ago
Anyone else notice that buzzfeed posted an identical article three days ago? "Characters I Refuse To Believe Are Played By The Same Actors" https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurengarafano/characters-cant-believe-are-played-by-same-actor
S M 4 years ago
YES!! I totally noticed this. Was about to comment but saw you already beat me to it. ;)
Load More Replies...
The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 4 years ago (edited)
Most of these pairs were quite easy to see the similarities between.
Yehudit Hannah Cohn 4 years ago (edited)
At first, I agreed with the many comments about make-up, but I went back through the list, and more of them legitimately show the actor's character range than I had credited. Yes, the effects are real, but if the actor had to truly be two different people, then it's more in line. That being said, no, I don't agree with all of the choices, but then I considered the contrast between the characters of Mork and Mrs. Doubtfire. I might consider a different title, though, as that seems to be the main point of contention.
Tre Bluey Orbs 4 years ago
Where are these people that are refusing to believe? The title of this makes no sense at all.
Baron Simone Von Bianco 4 years ago
Don't get what's the difficulty in believing that an actor or actress can fit in many roles/characters. From the pictures posted seems that if an actor hasn't starred in "Harry Potter" films or cinecomics is a no one. Cinecomics and Harry Potter are a thing of the last decade, these actors were hugely famous way before these movies. Geena Davis was an icon in the 80s and 90s for movies like "The Fly", "Beetlejuice", "Cutthroat Island" (yeah, it's a lame movie, but still, she is fiery in it) and Helena Bonham Carter ? Seriously ? She starred in so many kolossals and blockbusters that a small commenting box isn't enough. Gary Oldman was also Dracula in the Oscar awarded movie of Francis Ford Coppola and a tormented reverend in "The Scarlet Letter": two milestones movies of the 90s. Probably I forgot "Léon" and "The Fifth Element" by Besson...the list goes on. "Old" isn't always "bad" and if people doesn't watch cult movies just because they're "not cool" anymore, they're missing out big
Azure Adams 4 years ago
Pssshhh anyone who ever watched movies consistently knows all these people
Alyssa Fiedler 4 years ago
wow, some of those I could not tell, but the others, not so hard to tell. images-27-...692a7.jpeg 
23AClark 4 years ago (edited)
Loved it. Most of them I know about, but there was a few that I didn't.
Dave McDonald 4 years ago
"Refuse to believe"? Or "can't tell if that's the same actor because he's wearing different glasses and has different coloured hair"
beautiful plumage 4 years ago
yes, actors play lots of different roles with distinctively different looks and styles throughout the many years of their active careers. makeup, wardrobe, special effects, father time--they all play a role in making the actors appear to be unconnected individuals. the only people who wouldn't believe this are those who inspired the product name "i can't believe it's not butter!" ("seriously, gretchen. i mean, it's yellow. butter is yellow. it's creamy. butter can be creamy. there's no way you'd be able to convince me!")
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
Next you're going to tell me that Superman and Clark Kent were both played by the same guy!
Margaret Mayhugh 4 years ago
Many of these pairings seem to be less about the look and more about how well the actors play the role. Some actors are better than others at seeming to truly become the character so that it's easy to forget the actor and just see the person they're portraying, instead.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago (edited)
Actors....being actors .. changing their appearance. But, wait...new standards dictate people should basically play themselves. Can't play someone you're not. Should have put in Brad Pitt as old Benjamin Button and young Benjamin Button. Edit: My first comment may imply something I don't think. To clarify: I don't think a White person should play a Black person, etc. I think more opportunity for roles to be given to minorities is needed.
Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
I think this is more about the fact that the two characters are so different, rather than the actors being unrecognizable.
Chai Block 4 years ago
What about Janine Melnitz from Ghostbusters and Meemaw from Young Sheldon?
Nevada De Avibus 4 years ago
Johnny Depp should be on this list. I watched three different movies he was in and never realized it.
Leekun 4 years ago
Missing Joe Mazzello. Tim from Jurassic Park and John Deacon in Bohemian Rhapsody. Blew my mind when I found out
Jena Withag 4 years ago (edited)
What is happening, what's with the clickbait BP!?!? Bored Panda articles are getting worse and worse. The only thing people "refuse to believe" is the accuracy of the title.
maia martin 4 years ago
i think my favorite example of this is jenny from forrest gump and princess buttercup from the princess bride being played by the same person. (robin wright)
BILL CIPHER! 4 years ago
U forgot the guy who played draco malfoy he also played the boogie man in a babysitter's guide to monster hunting
MiaOokami 4 years ago
Now how could you forget the miraculous man who played Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, the Mad Hatter and W***y Wonka?
Ozacoter 4 years ago
He is a good actor but he always looks the same. Super easy to recognice.
Load More Replies...
Charlotte A. 4 years ago
Most of these actors have such distinctive looks regardless of wigs and make up that I rather refuse to believe people cannot believe they're the same ones...
Ozacoter 4 years ago
Exactly. The only ones that I find very different are the actor and actress that play Lucius and Molly in Harry Potter. The rest are the same.
Load More Replies... StIJN 4 years ago
quite a disappointing thread. As if people don't understand : age difference, changing clothes and coloring hair
StIJN 4 years ago
i must admit that when they use glasses it get's tricky
Load More Replies... Jackson Gohn 4 years ago
Hair, make up, glasses and 20 years. It's not hard to believe that they're the same person.
Noel Benavente 4 years ago
I find harder to believe that there are some people who can't believe they are the same actor... most of them have decades performing and are pretty easy to recognize.
Haunting Spirit 4 years ago
Where is Tim Curry ? He played It in the 1990 series but also played in a lot of different movies like Home Alone 2.
Ozacoter 4 years ago
Also the huge difference between The three musketeers and Rocky Horrow.
Load More Replies... Bole Perishon 4 years ago
Wow, it is as if these people transform into different characters with every new job.
Waffles 4 years ago
Anyone else notice that buzzfeed posted an identical article three days ago? "Characters I Refuse To Believe Are Played By The Same Actors" https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurengarafano/characters-cant-believe-are-played-by-same-actor
S M 4 years ago
YES!! I totally noticed this. Was about to comment but saw you already beat me to it. ;)
Load More Replies... The 5-star rated 5-star rating system 4 years ago (edited)
Most of these pairs were quite easy to see the similarities between.
Yehudit Hannah Cohn 4 years ago (edited)
At first, I agreed with the many comments about make-up, but I went back through the list, and more of them legitimately show the actor's character range than I had credited. Yes, the effects are real, but if the actor had to truly be two different people, then it's more in line. That being said, no, I don't agree with all of the choices, but then I considered the contrast between the characters of Mork and Mrs. Doubtfire. I might consider a different title, though, as that seems to be the main point of contention.
Tre Bluey Orbs 4 years ago
Where are these people that are refusing to believe? The title of this makes no sense at all.
Baron Simone Von Bianco 4 years ago
Don't get what's the difficulty in believing that an actor or actress can fit in many roles/characters. From the pictures posted seems that if an actor hasn't starred in "Harry Potter" films or cinecomics is a no one. Cinecomics and Harry Potter are a thing of the last decade, these actors were hugely famous way before these movies. Geena Davis was an icon in the 80s and 90s for movies like "The Fly", "Beetlejuice", "Cutthroat Island" (yeah, it's a lame movie, but still, she is fiery in it) and Helena Bonham Carter ? Seriously ? She starred in so many kolossals and blockbusters that a small commenting box isn't enough. Gary Oldman was also Dracula in the Oscar awarded movie of Francis Ford Coppola and a tormented reverend in "The Scarlet Letter": two milestones movies of the 90s. Probably I forgot "Léon" and "The Fifth Element" by Besson...the list goes on. "Old" isn't always "bad" and if people doesn't watch cult movies just because they're "not cool" anymore, they're missing out big
Azure Adams 4 years ago
Pssshhh anyone who ever watched movies consistently knows all these people
Alyssa Fiedler 4 years ago
wow, some of those I could not tell, but the others, not so hard to tell. images-27-...692a7.jpeg
23AClark 4 years ago (edited)
Loved it. Most of them I know about, but there was a few that I didn't.
Dave McDonald 4 years ago
"Refuse to believe"? Or "can't tell if that's the same actor because he's wearing different glasses and has different coloured hair"
beautiful plumage 4 years ago
yes, actors play lots of different roles with distinctively different looks and styles throughout the many years of their active careers. makeup, wardrobe, special effects, father time--they all play a role in making the actors appear to be unconnected individuals. the only people who wouldn't believe this are those who inspired the product name "i can't believe it's not butter!" ("seriously, gretchen. i mean, it's yellow. butter is yellow. it's creamy. butter can be creamy. there's no way you'd be able to convince me!")
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
Next you're going to tell me that Superman and Clark Kent were both played by the same guy!
Margaret Mayhugh 4 years ago
Many of these pairings seem to be less about the look and more about how well the actors play the role. Some actors are better than others at seeming to truly become the character so that it's easy to forget the actor and just see the person they're portraying, instead.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago (edited)
Actors....being actors .. changing their appearance. But, wait...new standards dictate people should basically play themselves. Can't play someone you're not. Should have put in Brad Pitt as old Benjamin Button and young Benjamin Button. Edit: My first comment may imply something I don't think. To clarify: I don't think a White person should play a Black person, etc. I think more opportunity for roles to be given to minorities is needed.
Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
I think this is more about the fact that the two characters are so different, rather than the actors being unrecognizable.
Chai Block 4 years ago
What about Janine Melnitz from Ghostbusters and Meemaw from Young Sheldon?
Nevada De Avibus 4 years ago
Johnny Depp should be on this list. I watched three different movies he was in and never realized it.
Leekun 4 years ago
Missing Joe Mazzello. Tim from Jurassic Park and John Deacon in Bohemian Rhapsody. Blew my mind when I found out
Jena Withag 4 years ago (edited)
What is happening, what's with the clickbait BP!?!? Bored Panda articles are getting worse and worse. The only thing people "refuse to believe" is the accuracy of the title.
maia martin 4 years ago
i think my favorite example of this is jenny from forrest gump and princess buttercup from the princess bride being played by the same person. (robin wright)
BILL CIPHER! 4 years ago
U forgot the guy who played draco malfoy he also played the boogie man in a babysitter's guide to monster hunting
MiaOokami 4 years ago
Now how could you forget the miraculous man who played Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, the Mad Hatter and W***y Wonka?
Ozacoter 4 years ago
He is a good actor but he always looks the same. Super easy to recognice.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Underrated Movies Revealed for Your Cinematic Nights 50 Worst Movie Remakes That Should've Never Existed 50 Best Detective Movies To Satisfy The Hawkshaw In You
Linas Simonaitis
Saimonas Lukošius
Linas Simonaitis
Related on Bored Panda
