From Jesse James to Al Capone, criminals have long been a source of fascination for Hollywood. With Johnny Depp playing famed bank robber John Dillinger in this week's "Public Enemies," we've put together a gallery of notorious criminals alongside the actors who played them. Click ahead to see.
Everett CollectionJOHN DILLINGER -- Bank Robber
Played by: Johnny Depp in Public Enemies (2009)
During production, Johnny Depp got a chance to wear the pair of pants Dillinger wore the day he was gunned down by the Feds. They reportedly fit him exactly.
Everett CollectionJESSE JAMES
Played by: Brad Pitt in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Jesse James was one of the most famous men in the country during his time, kind of like Brad Pitt today only with a lengthy criminal record and no Angelina.
Everett CollectionAL CAPONE -- Chicago Mob Boss
Played by: Robert De Niro in The Untouchables (1987)
Robert De Niro prepared so thoroughly for the role of Chicago's most notorious gangster that he not only gained 40 pounds but he also insisted on wearing underwear from that era throughout the production.
Everett CollectionCLYDE BARROW & BONNIE PARKER -- Bank Robbers
Played by: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
The ending to Arthur Penn's masterpiece was groundbreaking in its depiction of on-screen violence, but it was tame compared to the actual deaths of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow whose car was raked by 187 bullets.
Everett CollectionBENJAMIN 'BUGSY' SIEGEL -- Gangster
Played by: Warren Beatty in Bugsy (1991)
Bugsy Siegel might have been the first person to build a hotel in Vegas, but what he really wanted was to be a star. He reportedly even had a screen test filmed.
Everett CollectionWILLIAM 'BILLY THE KID' BONNEY-- Cattle Rustler/Outlaw
Played by: Emilio Estevez in Young Guns (1988)
Though legend has it that Billy the Kid killed up to 20 people during his brief run as a fugitive gunslinger, in reality he probably only managed to kill four.
HENRY HILL -- Gangster
Played by: Ray Liotta in Goodfellas (1990)
After "Goodfellas" came out, Henry Hill was kicked out of the Witness Protection Program because he kept telling everyone his true identity.
Everett CollectionROBERT STROUD -- Convicted Killer/Bird Enthusiast
Played by: Burt Lancaster in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
Stroud wasn't actually allowed to keep birds in Alcatraz. He did all of his bird tending and research at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas.
Everett CollectionPATRICIA HEARST-- Socialite/Bank Robber
Played by: Natasha Richardson in Patty Hearst (1988)
After her prison sentence for bank robbery was commuted by Jimmy Carter, Patty Hearst went on to land parts in numerous John Waters movies along with appearing in several TV shows.
Everett CollectionCLAUS VON BULOW -- The British O.J.
Played by: Jeremy Irons in Reversal of Fortune (1990)
One of the numerous Harvard Law students who assisted Alan Dershowitz in his successful defense of British aristocrat and accused murderer Claus von Bulow was none other than CNBC personality Jim Cramer, who later wrote that von Bulow was "supremely guilty."
VALERIE SOLANAS -- She Shot Andy Warhol
Played by: Lili Taylor in I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)
Lou Reed, who was a friend of Warhol, so disliked Solanas that he refused to allow music from his band "The Velvet Underground" to be used in the movie.
Everett CollectionCHARLES 'LUCKY' LUCIANO -- Boss of the Genovese Crime Family
Played by: Christian Slater in Mobsters (1991)
Lucky Luciano modernized the mob, funded the casinos in Vegas and Havana, and gave the US government intelligence during WWII. He was such a big figure in the crime world that he was dubbed by Time magazine as being one of the top 20 most influential builders and titans of the 20th century.
Everett CollectionMARK DAVID CHAPMAN -- John Lennon's Killer
Played by: Jared Leto in Chapter 27
In order to gain 67 pounds for the role, Jared Leto reportedly microwaved pints of chocolate ice cream and drank it mixed with olive oil and soy sauce.
Everett CollectionAILEEE WUORNOS -- Serial Killer
Played by: Charlize Theron in Monster (2003)
Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her part as Aileen Wuornos in "Monster" on February 29, the executed killer's birthday.
Everett CollectionROBERT LEROY PARKER, aka BUTCH CASSIDY
Played by: Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Butch Cassidy's sister would frequently visit the set during filming and regale cast and crew with her brother's wild adventures.
Everett CollectionLEE HARVEY OSWALD -- Presidential Assassin/Possible CIA Patsy
Played by: Gary Oldman in J.F.K. (1991)
Over the course of researching his part for "J.F.K," Gary Oldman came to believe that Oswald was not, in fact, the lone gunman in Kennedy's assassination.
post a comment