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10 Actors Who Are (Almost) Identical To The Real-Life Figures They Played

6) James Franco As James Dean (James Dean)

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Back in a time when James Franco wasn’t everywhere at all times, he was more selective in choosing his roles.

In 2001, pre-fame (he hadn’t even made Spider-Man yet), Franco gave one of his better performances in playing the one famous person he resembled most: live-fast-die-young Hollywood icon James Dean.

While Dane DeHaan needed the aid of prosthetics and a wig to more closely resemble Dean in Anton Corbijn’s recent Life, Franco needs no assistance in the TV movie James Dean.

Going the extra mile by nailing the mumble and the charismatic awkwardness, Franco didn’t really need to do anything to convince as ol’ Jimmy Dean – the likeness is all in the squinting, purse-lipped features and curly mop of hastily flicked-back hair.