Almost 50 years after his death, Elvis Presley remains an enigma and is as popular as ever. As one of the most famous pop culture icons who ever lived, there have been numerous portrayals of him on stage and screen.
Many actors have attempted to capture The King in varied performances across a variety of movies and shows. From straightforward biopics to whimsical horror movies and imagined scenarios, audiences still can’t seem to get enough of Elvis.
His mannerisms and voice are hugely distinctive and instantly recognisable, but each actor who has portrayed him also manages to bring a bit of themselves to the role. Although obviously no one looks exactly like him, clever hair and make-up have ensured that some have borne more than a passing resemblance to the legendary star.
Some actors have played him more than once after making a huge impression in the role. Meanwhile, others have had the endorsement of the Presley family, which is high praise indeed.
Express.co.uk takes a look at some of the best Elvis performances from actors on screen over the years since his passing on what would have been his 90th birthday.
9. Don Johnson – Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981)
Three years before Miami Vice turned Don Johnson into a global superstar he slipped into a jumpsuit for this 1981 made-for-TV movie.
Set in 1972 amid Elvis’ divorce from Priscilla (who’s never shown), Elvis meets Linda Thompson, a beauty queen who becomes his live-in girlfriend for most of the last years of his life.
He gained 40 pounds for the role, and that commitment to the part alone is enough to earn him kudos. Unfortunately, the film is forgettable. But he gives a decent turn.
It is all a million miles from his latest role as a ships captain in Ruan Murphy’s glossy, soapy drama Doctor Odyssey.
(Image: NBC)
8. Bruce Campbell – Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)
Evil Dead icon Bruce Campbell, who recently starred in the hit comedy horror thriller Hysteria! is perhaps one of the unlikeliest actors to play Elvis but given the spin of this movie, his casting was perfect.
He plays an ageing and forgotten Elvis impersonator, with the twist being one that will satisfy all the conspiracy theorists. It transpires he is actually Elvis, living out his final days in a retirement home.
In keeping with his horror roots the home is being stalked by a soul-stealing cowboy mummy and he must thwart the evil entity aided by his neighbour John F. Kennedy.
Yes, this is as bonkers as it sounds but Bruce does a great job playing a depressed Elvis who finds a reason to live when he has to battle evil. Only Bruce could have got away with this funny and irreverent take on The King.
(Image: Getty)
7. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers – Elvis (2005)
This movie is not to be confused with Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 Elvis biopic of the same name. Cork actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers donned a lame suit and quiff to play Elvis in this mini series.
Although he was nominated for an Emmy for his efforts at times it feels like Jonathan is merely engaging in mimicry.
However, he captures many elements of Elvis spot-on and his performance was universally praised by critics.
At times it feels like caricature rather than acting but strangely, perhaps because Elvis was such a larger than life character, it works.
(Image: Getty)