History Main / ComicBookFantasyCasting

** ''VideoGame/MetalGear1'': The packaging illustration for the retail release, depicting Solid Snake, was traced over from a promotional still for ''Film/TheTerminator'' which featured Michael Biehn posing as Kyle Reese.

*** According to an interview with [[WordOfGod Yoji Shinkawa]] in the ''[[AllThereInTheManual Official Mission Handbook]]'', the original pitch for Solid Snake's revised appearance was "the face of Creator/ChristopherWalken (''Deer Hunter'' years) and the body of Creator/JeanClaudeVanDamme (circa ''Film/{{Bloodsport}}'')", and some early concept art that shipped with ''VisualNovel/{{Policenauts}}'' shows this resemblance obviously. As the design was refined (particularly, Shinkawa decided the character should be younger), the resemblance to Walken was mostly lost.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' ran into some legal trouble by using Music/{{Gackt}} as basis for Squall's design (mostly due to outfit resemblance), although Gackt was a fan of the series and appeared in an InkSuitActor capacity as a ''Compilation of VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' character in later games. Creator/TetsuyaNomura has always claimed that Squall was based on Creator/RiverPhoenix. Cid Kramer also has a very strong resemblance to Creator/RobinWilliams.

* It's hard to tell, given the [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue hair]] and gold eyes, but April of ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' looks a fair amount like Creator/HalleBerry. Probably because her Japanese voice actress, Creator/TakakoHonda, dubs a lot of Berry's film roles – including that of ComicBook/{{Storm|MarvelComics}} from the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', who like April, is black and has weather-control powers.

* In ''Webcomic/WeakHero'', Dean Kwon (second-in-command to TheDragon) has his name and fashion style inspired by Korean R&B singer Kwon Hyuk, commonly known by his stage moniker Music/{{Dean}}.

* It's hard to tell, given the [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue hair]] and gold eyes, but April of ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' looks a fair amount like Creator/HalleBerry. Probably because her Japanese voice actress, Creator/TakakoHonda, dubs a lot of Berry's film roles – including that of ComicBook/{{Storm}} from the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', who like April, is black and has weather-control powers.

* WordOfGod from Marissa Meyer is that Linh Cinder from ''Literature/LunarChronicles'' was modeled after Mew Azama, the actress who played Sailor Jupiter in ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon''.

If the resemblance is outright stated in the text, it's TextualCelebrityResemblance. For when the character is a direct impression or parody of a celebrity's public persona, see NoCelebritiesWereHarmed. For when an animated character is designed to resemble the real-world voice actor, see InkSuitActor. See also HypotheticalCasting, for where fans or creators do this as WordOfGod without making it explicit in canon.

* ''[[WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012 Ultimate Spider-Man]]'':

* Creator/SeaChiplock's voice for Noob Saibot in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' channel's Creator/FrankWelker's voice for [[WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget Dr. Claw]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}} Darkseid]], and (without effects) [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Soundwave]][[note]]This also makes Noob sound like Shao Kahn did at the end of ''Film/MortalKombatTheMovie'' as Welker, in addition to doing the vocal effects for Retile, also voiced Shao and reused the Dr. Claw/Soundwave/Darkseid voice for him[[/note]].

* Creator/SeaChiplock's voice for Noob Saibot in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' channel's Creator/FrankWelker's voice for [[WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget Dr. Claw]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}} Darkseid]], and (without effects) [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Soundwave]].

** The main X-Men sees a lot of this, as basically out of the main X-Men throughout the series, the only real notable exceptions who those who didn't try to emulate their ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' counterparts were Creator/SteveBlum as Wolverine, Creator/SusanDalian as Storm, Creator/YuriLowenthal as Iceman, and Creator/DanielleJudovits as Shadowcat with Creator/JimWard doing what a lot of other voice actors have done and emulated Creator/PatrickStewart as Professor Xavier and Creator/NolanNorth as Cyclops, Creator/JenniferHale as Jean Grey, Creator/FredTatasciore as the Beast, Creator/LiamOBrien as Nightcrawler, and Kieren van den Blink as Rogue evoking (to varying degrees) the characters' respective film actors, Creator/JamesMarsden, Creator/FamkeJanssen, Creator/KelseyGrammer, Creator/AlanCumming, and Creator/AnnaPaquin. On the villains' side, this is one of the few cases of this happening to Magneto, with Creator/TomKane emulating Creator/IanMcKellen as Magneto.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Ultimate Spider-Man}}'':

Fantasy casting can also occur in non-visual media such as (non-illustrated) novels, but can be harder to spot unless WordOfGod acknowledges it, or the character is [[{{Expy}} closely based]] on a particular role the actor is associated with.

* The main villain of ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureDiamondIsUnbreakable'', Yoshikage Kira, is famous for his resemblance to ''Music/DavidBowie''. This is no coincidence, given how famous Jojo is for its [[ShoutOut shout outs]].

* Ash Lynx, the main character in ''Manga/BananaFish'', was initially based off the tennis player Stephen Edberg, and later Creator/RiverPhoenix. Another character, Max Lobo, was modeled on Creator/HarrisonFord.

* Recently, it has been [[https://twitter.com/KonoRobu/status/1231260128571273216 pointed out]] that actor Bjorn Andrésen as he appeared in ''Film/DeathInVenice'' was a major influence of Main/{{Bishonen}} characters in TheSeventies (and beyond) on manga such as Gilbert Cocteau from ''Manga/KazeToKiNoUta'', Reinhard von Lohengramm from ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'', Griffith from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', and Oscar from ''Manga/TheRoseOfVersailles'', among others. Some even pointed out that [[Franchise/{{Gundam}} Char Aznable]] bears a resemblence to Andrésen.
* By WordOfGod, Erwin Smith from ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbJxM33XQAAc6RS?format=jpg&name=small was]] based on [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbP2TgRX0AEjJ6r?format=png&name=small one of the dancers]] in Creator/ParisHilton's "Paris For President" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1riiDGBdZWg music video]]. In 2020, the dancer in question, Matthew P Hall, [[https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWh2FtpMGp/ spoke about how he found out, and felt humbled by it]].

* ''[[Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon Abraxas]]'': The [[{{Kaiju}} Kaiju/Titans]] are able to communicate with each other and with the [[{{Metamorphosis}} transformed]] Vivienne Graham, and the author has described what the voices of Ichi, Ni and Godzilla sound like [[https://hrodvitnon.tumblr.com/post/623720240777412608 here]]. She's also [[https://hrodvitnon.tumblr.com/post/623945202392055808/ toyed with]] potential voice claims for Thor, Mothra and Rodan, and has stated Monster X's (San and Vivienne) voice in its first form sounds like the Gravemind's in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''.
* ''Fanfic/AThingOfVikings'': The [[WordOfGod author]], after being asked, made a [[https://athingofvikings.tumblr.com/post/174985248875/i-sometimes-forget-what-wulfhild-loks-like-so-i tumblr post]] with face claims for some of the fic's [[OriginalCharacter OC’s]].

** Inga Roswynsdoittor looks like Marian Tomas Griffin, when she was 18.

* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanVsTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' not only sees Creator/TroyBaker once again emulate Creator/MarkHamill as the Joker, but likely inspired by ''Film/TheFly1986'', Creator/KeithFerguson is channeling Creator/JeffGoldblum as Baxter Stockman.

** Iris Wildthyme's incarnations in the Literature/EighthDoctorAdventures are modelled on Beryl Reid, Music/ShirleyBassey and Creator/JaneFonda as Barbarella. (The ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' incarnation is modelled on Creator/KatyManning, but that incarnation is actually played by Katy Manning.)

* Rex Mundi, the co-hero of Creator/RobertRankin's ''Armageddon'' trilogy, is repeatedly described as looking like a young Creator/HarrisonFord. The third book in the trilogy finishes with "credits" (including actors who at the time of publication were obviously far too old for the characters (or, in the case of Creato/rOrsonWelles, too dead)). It also has a bunch of minor characters ''arguing'' over which film star they resemble as they [[NoFourthWall fight to get more page space]]. Note that Rex's co-hero is a time-travelling Music/ElvisPresley.

* The children's book ''Literature/OutOfTheDust'' features a non-celebrity example. On the cover there is a historical photograph of a girl named Lucille Burroughs. WordOfGod is that Billie Jo looks like her.

* ''Videogame/WingCommander'': The Tiger's Claw ace pilot Iceman appears magnificently similar in both grizzly features and gritty demeanour to that ace shooter himself of another time, Creator/ClintEastwood. One of the good guys and firmly focused on vengeance against the Kilrathi. Not someone who one can imagine cracking a joke with too often. According to his fellow pilots, he don't say much.

** Sherlock Holmes from ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' clearly resembles Creator/BenedictCumberbatch's portrayal of the character in ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'', minus the wavy hair. Elements of his costume design particularly resembles Cumberbatch's Sherlock as he appeared in [[Recap/SherlockSpecialTheAbominableBride "The Abominable Bride"]].

*** Cloud's redesign looks a lot like Kubota Masataka. This is lampshaded in the 14-minute Japanese commercial; Masataka plays a young man who, in one scene, is teased by his girlfriend over his resemblance to Cloud. Later in the story he Googles Cloud pics at work and apparently can't see the resemblance.
* Link in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' was based after a famous 90s heartthrob actor... but the developers have purposefully obscured which actor it was, other than that he was 'who you would think of when you thought of a handsome actor at that time'. One of the features taken from the actor was his distinctive, pointed nose, leading many to speculate that Creator/RiverPhoenix, who had a similar pointed nose to the Link art, was the inspiration. Other theories suggest Creator/TomCruise and Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio.

* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2019'' has a major part of the multiplayer mode characters based visually on media personalities with military background, among them Alex Zedra, Tu Lam and Tony Sentmanat.

** The Scab Leader/Kortenaer is bizarrely designed to resemble Peter Daou, a former child soldier who became a minor pop musician in the 90s, then a political blogger, and the campaign manager for John Kerry in 2004 and Hillary Clinton in 2008; he became internet famous for his obsessive and inflammatory Hillary Clinton support in the runup to the 2016 election, in which he would accuse even the most moderate critics of her campaign or policies of being misogynists. (A few years after the 2016 election, Daou moved to the left, supporting Bernie Sanders in the 2019 Democrat candidate race, and now identifies as a socialist.) It is likely he came to the attention of the developers via his feud with the ''Podcast/ChapoTrapHouse'' podcast, who called him a "Hillaryman" and frequently made fun of him on the show; in the game's orignal dub, the Scab Leader is voiced by ''Chapo'' host Felix Biederman in reference to this.

* ConversationalTroping by El Sandifer in ''TARDIS Eruditorum'' when [[http://www.eruditorumpress.com/blog/time-can-be-rewritten-6-the-dark-path-david-mcintee-virgin-books-march-1997/ discussing]] the ''Literature/DoctorWhoMissingAdventures'' novel ''The Dark Path'' as though it was actually published in 1968, just to show why this doen't work. She notes that the evil Member of the Doctor's Race (don't mention the Time Lords!) who appears in the book is drawn on the cover to look like character actor Creator/RogerDelgado, suggesting [=McIntee=] had some casting ideas in mind when writing it.

** ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Sokka's sword fighting master Piandao looks quite a lot like Sifu Kisu, a man who works on the show as a martial arts consultant.

-->Eeeh-Ye-e-e-es?

* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'' sees its Peter resemble a cross of [[Film/SpiderManTrilogy live]]-[[Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries action]] [[Film/MarvelCinematicUniverse Spider-Men]] Creator/TobeyMaguire, Creator/AndrewGarfield, and Creator/TomHolland (with the [=PS5=] version making him look closer to Holland) and Mary Jane resemble Creator/KirstenDunst. Norman Osborn resembles a cross between Creator/WillemDafoe, Creator/ChrisCooper, and an InkSuitActor of his voice actor, Creator/MarkRolston.

* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'' sees its Peter resemble [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries past Spidey Andrew Garfield]] and Mary Jane resemble [[Film/SpiderManTrilogy Kristen Dunst]]. Norman Osborn resembles a cross between Creator/WillemDafoe, Creator/ChrisCooper, and an InkSuitActor of his voice actor, Creator/MarkRolston. The [=PS5=] remaster updates Peter Parker to more closely resemble his current live-action portrayer, Creator/TomHolland.

* ''WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen'':

[[folder:Comic Books -- DC Universe]]
* Artist Gary Frank always draws Franchise/{{Superman}} as Creator/ChristopherReeve and Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} as Creator/LauraVandervoort in stories such like ''Comicbook/SupermanBrainiac'' or ''Comicbook/SupermanSecretOrigin''. This makes him one of fandom's favorite artists to draw their stories.
* ''ComicBook/{{Shazam}}'':
** Captain Marvel was said to be based on Creator/FredMacMurray.
** His sister ComicBook/MaryMarvel was initially modeled after Creator/JudyGarland.
** Inverted with Captain Marvel Junior, as Music/ElvisPresley modeled his signature hairdo and costumes after him.
* Hal Jordan and Sinestro in ''Comicbook/GreenLantern'' have respectively been claimed to have been based on Creator/PaulNewman and Creator/DavidNiven. The male Guardians of the Universe from ''Green Lantern'' were initially based on David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel. John Stewart, meanwhile, was based on Creator/SidneyPoitier. Guy Gardner's 80s redesign from around the time of ''Comicbook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'' was based on British actor Tim Pigott-Smith. Alan Scott was modeled after Creator/AlanLadd and Kyle Rayner was based on Creator/KeanuReeves. Abin Sur was based on Creator/YulBrynner.
* ''ComicBook/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'' makes ComicBook/LoisLane look like Creator/AmyAdams, the actress who portrays the character in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse.
* ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'': When Doiby Dickles, [[ComicBook/GreenLantern1941 Alan Scott]]'s old side-kick, shows up as the consort of an alien queen the team interacts with he's modeled after Creator/MickeyRooney.
* Aqualad's mother Sha'lain'a from the ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' [[AllThereInTheManual tie-in comic series]] looks like singer Music/{{Beyonce}}.
* ''[[ComicBook/GrantMorrisonsBatman Batman Incorporated]]'' featured a trio of female assassins who looked exactly like Music/{{Rihanna}}, Music/KatyPerry, and Music/LadyGaga. For bonus points, the headmistress of the Leviathan-run school featured in the story looked like Music/{{Madonna}}.
* Bruce Wayne in ''ComicBook/BatmanYearOne'' was unashamedly drawn a ''lot'' like Creator/CaryGrant, and intentionally so, although David Mazzucchelli has also claimed influence from Creator/GregoryPeck. And his aged look in ''Comicbook/KingdomCome'' winds up looking like Peck, minus mustache. The old Batman in ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' was modeled on Creator/MarlonBrando in ''Film/TheGodfather'' (incidentally Carmine Falcone in ComicBook/TheLongHalloween looks like and behaves a lot like Brando in The Godfather), while Creator/AlexRoss tends to make Joker look like Creator/JackNicholson complete with receding hairline.
* Both Creator/BillFinger and Creator/BobKane modeled Selina Kyle and ComicBook/{{Catwoman}} on screen FemmeFatale like Creator/HedyLamarr and Simone Simon in ''Film/CatPeople''. Creator/AnneHathaway modeled her performance in ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' on Lamarr.
* Bob Kane initially modeled the look of Batman foe ComicBook/TheRiddler on song-and-dance-man Creator/FredAstaire. The influence has persisted in some subsequent versions, sometimes mixed with Frank Gorshin.
* After the success of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy'', there was at least one issue of a Batman comic ([[http://www.comics.org/issue/290878/ this one]]) in which Bruce Wayne bore an unmistakable resemblance to Creator/ChristianBale, and the Joker got plastic surgery to look like Creator/HeathLedger. The Batman manga ''Child of Dreams'' has Bruce Wayne with an uncanny resemblance to Bale. And the story was published around 2000, a few years before ''Film/BatmanBegins''.
* ''Superman'' #355 (Jan. 1981) presented Dr. Asa Ezaak, a dead ringer for Creator/IsaacAsimov, sideburns and all, as an insane moon-powered evil writer. Those were happier times.
* Classic ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' is Creator/ClarkGable while his civilian identity is based on silent comedian Creator/HaroldLloyd who codified the "glasses look", Creator/CaryGrant in ''Film/BringingUpBaby'' (where he's a mild-mannered academic who sports glasses), with some inspiration from classic ''Film/{{Flash Gordon|Serial}}'' actor Creator/BusterCrabbe. ''Lois Lane'' is also modeled on Creator/RosalindRussell in ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' not only visually but by voice actors (such as Creator/DanaDelany).
* In Creator/PaulCornell's "[[ComicBook/TheBlackRing Black Ring]]" story arc in ''ComicBook/ActionComics'', Lex Luthor's assistant Spalding is modeled on Creator/DavidTennant, complete with the Tenth Doctor's "brainy specs". LampshadeHanging is provided by the Joker who, when taking credit for killing Spalding, claims "He reminded me so much of that actor, [[TheNthDoctor I wanted to see if he'd turn into someone else]]!"
* In Cornell's ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' spin-off miniseries ''Comicbook/KnightAndSquire'', Jarvis Poker the British Joker is based on the appearance and typical roles of Creator/KennethWilliams.
* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':
** Creator/GeorgePerez based his Pre-[[ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths Crisis]] ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|1942}}'' (vol 1) Diana on Creator/ConnieSellecca and his ComicBook/PostCrisis ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|1987}}'' (vol 2) Diana on Creator/MarinaSirtis.
** Cliff Chiang modeled War in their ComicBook/New52 ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|2011}}'' run after Creator/BrianAzzarello.
** ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': Harry G. Peter drew Mala's cheeks and chin to bring to mind a blonde Creator/KatharineHepburn.
* Creator/DarwynCooke admitted to doing this a lot in his ''Comicbook/{{Catwoman}}'' story "Selina's Big Score". Stark is Creator/LeeMarvin, Jeff is Creator/ChowYunFat, Swifty is Creator/BurgessMeredith and Chantel is Creator/PamGrier.
* There's a list of these in the back of the ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis'' collected edition in which artist Rags Morales says, among others, Captain Boomerang is based on Ron Jeremy and [[Radio/TheHowardSternShow Jackie Martling]], and his son is based on Music/JustinTimberlake and Creator/JamesDean. Comicbook/{{Vixen}} was drawn to look like Creator/GeenaDavis... which is odd because Davis is not black (according to Morales, she was originally supposed to be based on Creator/GraceJones). Others include Elongated Man on Creator/DannyKaye and Creator/DickVanDyke, Barry Allen on Creator/JohnHurt, Zatanna on [[Film/FastTimesAtRidgemontHigh Phoebe Cates]], Felix Faust on Creator/LeonardNimoy, and [[DoesntLikeGuns Batman]] [[{{Irony}} on]] Creator/TomSelleck.
* The Comicbook/{{Vixen}} illustration Stanley "Artgerm" Lau did for the DC Cover Girls statue series looks ''exactly'' like Music/{{Rihanna}}.
* ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' v2 #9 had a story about an AlternateUniverse where Superman and Franchise/WonderWoman [[RaceLift are both black]]. Wonder Woman was based on [[Music/{{Beyonce}} Beyoncé Knowles]], while Superman was basically a younger, beefier UsefulNotes/BarackObama. Given that President Obama is an avowed Superman fan and Beyoncé has expressed interest in playing Wonder Woman in a live-action film, this was almost certainly intentional.
* ''ComicBook/TheSandman'':
** Delirium is sometimes based on Music/ToriAmos and sometimes on the writer [[http://kimstringfellow.photoshelter.com/image/I0000QZFEL1hPd9I Kathy Acker]].
** Her brother, Destruction, is sometimes unmistakably Creator/BrianBlessed.
** Dream was originally designed to look like [[Music/{{Bauhaus}} Peter Murphy]], but at other times is pretty clearly Robert Smith of Music/TheCure, as well as being influenced by Creator/NeilGaiman and Creator/ConradVeidt.
** Lucifer is Music/DavidBowie.
** Thessaly is modeled after artist Colleen Doran, who illustrated portions of "Game of You".
* John Constantine, ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'', was drawn in his initial ''Comicbook/SwampThing'' appearances to look like Music/{{Sting}} and has continued to do so ever since. Later, he was made to resemble Creator/MattRyan, who plays him a lot in live-action and animated series. Not that hard since Matt [[InkSuitActor already resembles Comic!Constantine anyway.]]
* In Creator/NeilGaiman and Creator/DaveMcKean's ''ComicBook/BlackOrchid'', Carl Thorne looks like the young Creator/MarlonBrando, while ComicBook/LexLuthor often looks like the older Brando (especially when he's on the videophone--he seems to be based on Brando in ''Film/ApocalypseNow'' then).
* Creator/JackKirby was said to have based Big Barda of ''ComicBook/NewGods'' on actress and singer model Lainie Kazan, while ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} was based on actor Creator/JackPalance.
** He said that he based Metron's appearance and personality on Leonard Nimoy as [[Franchise/StarTrek Mr. Spock.]]
* According to Mike Grell, Tyroc from the ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'' was designed to resemble actor and former football star Fred "The Hammer" Williamson.
* Some artists are drawing Jonathan and Martha Kent to more resemble [[Series/{{Smallville}} John Schneider and Annette O'Toole]].
** And to hammer the point further home, the young Clark Kent seen in the ''ComicBook/SupermanBirthright'' miniseries looks like a child version of Creator/TomWelling.
* In the ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'' sketchbook, Creator/GrantMorrison describes Dan Turpin as "Jack Kirby drawn by Creator/FrankMiller".
* Towards the end of her pre-ComicBook/New52 run, ComicBook/PowerGirl began to resemble actress Creator/ChristinaHendricks in more than just [[MostCommonSuperpower body shape]].
* In the 2009-2010 miniseries ''ComicBook/SupermanSecretOrigin'', Superman/Clark Kent was drawn to resemble Creator/ChristopherReeve, which is not surprising, but ComicBook/LoisLane is drawn to closely resemble Creator/WinonaRyder, who has yet to appear in a ''Superman''-related production.
* ''[[ComicBook/TheMultiversity The Just #1]]'', a one-shot about {{legacy hero}}es with [[VictoryIsBoring no evil left to fight]], features an [[ComicBook/GreenArrow Arrowette]] with a scantily-clad, shorthaired look very much like Music/MileyCyrus.
* ComicBook/TheJoker's original design was based on Creator/ConradVeidt's face from the movie ''The Man Who Laughs''.
* According to [[WordOfGod artist James Harvey]], Riko Sheridan from ''Comicbook/WeAreRobin'' was based on model Zoe Flood.
* Adam Hughes draws ComicBook/{{Catwoman}} as looking like Creator/AudreyHepburn.
* The Comedian from ''Comicbook/{{Watchmen}}'' was based appearance-wise on Creator/BurtReynolds.
* In ''ComicBook/BatwomanRebirth'', Renee Montoya looks very much like Creator/MichelleRodriguez, a popular fan casting choice for the character.
* The ''Superheavy'' arc after ''ComicBook/BatmanEndgame'' features a Bruce Wayne looking like Creator/BenAffleck in ''Film/{{Argo}}'', right down to the clothing choices and BadassBeard.
* Near the end of ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} returned to his 90s look with long hair and a BadassBeard to match his [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]] actor Creator/JasonMomoa, eventually including his movie counterpart's tattoos.
* Yara Flor, the new ''Comicbook/DCFutureState'' Comicbook/WonderGirl, was based on indigenous Brazilian fashion model Suyane Moreira.

[[folder:Comic Books -- Marvel Universe]]
* The original ''ComicBook/XMen'' Hellfire Club line-up were all based by Creator/JohnByrne on actors he admired. Sebastian Shaw was based on Creator/RobertShaw, the Black Queen (Jean Grey) on Creator/DianaRigg ([[Series/TheAvengers1960s Emma Peel]]), Mastermind[=/=]Jason Wyngarde on Creator/PeterWyngarde (Jason King in ''Series/DepartmentS'' and ''Series/JasonKing''), Harry Leland on Creator/OrsonWelles ([[Film/TheThirdMan Harry Lime]] and [[Film/CitizenKane Jedediah Leland]]), and Donald Pierce on Creator/DonaldSutherland ([[Film/{{Mash}} film version of Hawkeye Pierce]]).
** A later writer introduced Emma Steed of the London Hellfire Club, who was even ''more'' Diana Rigg.
** The Diana Rigg and Peter Wyngarde parallels specifically were part of a WholePlotReference to the ''Avengers'' episode "A Touch of Brimstone", also set at a Hellfire Club, and which had Mrs. Peel in the Jean Grey role and Peter Wyngarde as John Cleverly Carter in the Mastermind role.
* During the Claremont/Byrne run on ''Uncanny X-Men'', Comicbook/{{Cyclops}} was based on a young Creator/HenryFonda, ComicBook/JeanGrey on a young Creator/RaquelWelch, ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} on Paul D'Amato (Tim "Dr. Hook" [=McCracken=]) in ''Film/SlapShot'', Comicbook/{{Colossus}} on Max Baer Jr, Comicbook/{{Beast|Marvel Comics}} on Creator/AlFranken, [[Comicbook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier]] on Keane Curtis, Moira [=McTaggert=] on Hannah Gordon, Arcade on Creator/MalcolmMcDowell, and Comicbook/EmmaFrost on a young Creator/FayeDunaway. ComicBook/KittyPryde was based on what Byrne thought a young Creator/SigourneyWeaver would look like.
** Comicbook/{{Nightcrawler}} started to gradually look more and more like Creator/ErrolFlynn, with his holographic image inducer calibrated specifically to look like him. Nightcrawler is also a huge Flynn fanboy, so in his case it was a cultivated look.
** The [[FadSuper disco-themed]] mutant ComicBook/{{Dazzler}} was modeled after Creator/BoDerek, who was supposed to play the character in a live-action movie.
** Later, when handling art honors for ''ComicBook/{{Excalibur}}'', Alan Davis once stated that he modeled his Kitty Pryde after a young Creator/KatharineHepburn.
* [[ComicBook/TheUltimates Ultimate]] ComicBook/NickFury was drawn to look like Creator/SamuelLJackson. In the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, Jackson was naturally cast in the role. This was an explicit arrangement; Jackson, a big comic book fan, gave Marvel free rein to use his likeness for the character as long as he could have the part in the movies (though only after he threatened to sue them for using his likeness without his knowledge or consent).
** NYPD Detective Paul Budiansky, a one-arc character from ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'' is also modeled after Sam Jackson.
** In a special feature, Bryan Hitch discussed the "cast" of actors he and Creator/MarkMillar used for reference in ''ComicBook/TheUltimates''. Aside from the aforementioned Sam Jackson as Nick Fury, he picked Creator/BradPitt for ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, Creator/ZhangZiyi for ComicBook/TheWasp, Creator/BruceWillis for ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}, Creator/AngelinaJolie and James Haven for ComicBook/ScarletWitch and ComicBook/{{Quicksilver}}, Creator/MatthewMcConaughey for [[ComicBook/AntMan Giant-Man]], and Creator/SteveBuscemi for [[Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk Bruce Banner]]. He couldn't find a suitable actor for [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]], so he just said Jesus.
** Shapeshifting Chitauri villain Herr Kleiser greatly resembles Creator/RobertCarlyle.
** Gregory Stark looks very similar to ''Franchise/JamesBond'' star Creator/DanielCraig, albeit with a mustache.
* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'' series has a lot of characters looking like famous "cool" actors in real life.
** Frank himself is a beefy Creator/ClintEastwood in the first arc; this is particularly evident when he's held prisoner by Microchip. Another artist basically turns him into [[Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger the T-800.]]
** Paul Budiansky is Creator/SamuelLJackson.
** Budiansky's CSI friend is Creator/TommyLeeJones (and he ''[[TakeThat hates CSI]]''.)
** Colonel George Howe is Creator/MorganFreeman.
** From ''Comicbook/ThePunisherPresentsBarracuda'', Big Chris Angelone is Creator/ChristopherWalken.
** Castle's CO in the ''[[ComicBook/ThePunisherBorn Born]]'' mini-series is Creator/WilliamHMacy.
** According to Creator/GarthEnnis' script for issue #37 (which has since been taken down from its original spot in the Comic Book Script Archive by Marvel) Nicky Cavella's physical appearance was based on Creator/AndyGarcia, and John James Toomey was based on Music/PuffDaddy.
* Lenny Balinger from ''ComicBook/DamageControl'' is a dead ringer for Creator/LeeMarvin, though he thinks he looks more like Creator/PaulNewman.
* Tony Isabella has said Comicbook/MistyKnight was physically modeled after Creator/PamGrier, while the basic concept of the character was essentially conceived as a {{Gender Flip}}ped version of ''Film/BlackbeltJones''.
* Darla Deering/Miss Thing from ''Comicbook/{{FF}}'' was modeled after pop star Music/KatyPerry.
* Detective Oscar Clemons from Creator/GregRucka's ''Comicbook/ThePunisher'' run is based on Creator/MorganFreeman.
* In Creator/JohnByrne comics, [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Mr. Fantastic]] is based on Jeffrey Hunter, [[Comicbook/TheAvengers Wonder Man]] on Creator/DavidProwse, Comicbook/DoctorStrange on Richard Boone, the Scarlet Witch on Playmate Julia Lyndon, Desmond Marrs on Rocco Siffredi, Polaris (in ''X-Men: The Hidden Years'') on Creator/JenniferAniston.
** He drew Steve Rogers during his run on ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'' to look like Creator/RobertRedford, which is now HilariousInHindsight since Redford ended up playing [[spoiler:the villain]] of ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier''.
* Gene Colan modeled Comicbook/TheFalcon after UsefulNotes/OJSimpson, who was still primarily known as a college football star at the time.
* In ''[[Comicbook/NickSpencersCaptainAmerica Captain America: Sam Wilson]]'', artist Daniel Acuna based Sam's older brother Gideon on Creator/DelroyLindo.
* Clive Reston from the ''Comicbook/ShangChi'' comics was drawn to look like Creator/RogerMoore by the artist Paul Gulacy, specifically as he appeared during his time as ''Film/JamesBond''. In the same series, Paul Gulacy turned Shang-Chi into a BruceLeeClone.
* Circuit Breaker from ''Comicbook/TheTransformers'' was modeled after Marvel colorist Janet "Jay Jay" Jackson.
* John Romita admitted that he modeled ComicBook/MaryJaneWatson on Ann Margret (specifically the way she looked in ''Theatre/ByeByeBirdie''). [[Characters/SpiderManLoveInterests While]] Gwen Stacy, as Creator/GerryConway noted, was based on blondes in Creator/AlfredHitchcock films -- Creator/GraceKelly and Creator/KimNovak in particular. More recently, Mike Deodato has drawn her as a red-haired Creator/LivTyler, and Paolo Rivera's take on her is a blend between Leighton Meester and Miranda Kerr, inspired by her dimples.
* In Creator/JasonAaron's ''ComicBook/Thor2014'', Jane Foster is drawn to look like her MCU actress Creator/NataliePortman.
* ''ComicBook/NewMutants'':
** ComicBook/RachelSummers, in her first appearances, was intentionally designed to look like Music/AnnieLennox.
** ComicBook/IllyanaRasputin was designed to look like Heather O'Rourke, the child actress who played Carol-Ann in ''Film/{{Poltergeist|1982}}''.
* Comicbook/MonicaRambeau was designed to resemble Creator/PamGrier, one of John Romita, Jr.'s favorite actresses.
* Whenever Mike Deodato draws ComicBook/NormanOsborn (see ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'', ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers'', etc.), he ends up looking like Creator/TommyLeeJones. Deodato has admitted that this is deliberate.
** In his more recent appearances, Norman appears to have been modelled on Julian [=McMahon=]. Which is kind of ironic [[Film/FantasticFour2005 when you think about it]]...
** Similary, whenever Deodato draws ComicBook/DoctorDoom´s unscarred face, he tends to look like Creator/VincentCassel.
* ''Comicbook/{{Blade}}'': Ever since the success of [[Film/BladeTrilogy the movies]], the character is often drawn to look like Creator/WesleySnipes.
* When she first appeared in ''Comicbook/SecretWar'', Daisy Johnson/Quake was drawn to look ''exactly'' like Creator/AngelinaJolie as she appeared in ''Film/{{Hackers}}''. As time went on, the resemblance lessened.
* Don Heck based ComicBook/PepperPotts off actress Ann B. Davis, known at the time for her role on ''The Bob Cummings Show''. She's best remembered today for playing Alice in ''Series/TheBradyBunch''.
* Before the movies, [[ComicBook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier's]] bald head and thin eyebrows were reminiscent of Creator/YulBrynner's distinct appearance. In several ComicBook/XMen books since the movies, though, Professor Xavier has noticeably been drawn more like Creator/PatrickStewart.
** Alex Ross modeled Professor Xavier after Patrick Stewart as the artist for ''ComicBook/{{Marvels}}''–[[HilariousInHindsight years before the first movie]]. He also used Creator/TimothyDalton as a model for Tony Stark.
** In the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' crossover novel, written before the X-Men movie, he is also described as bearing a fair resemblance to Jean-Luc.
** This has also been reflected in other media as well, as Creator/DavidKaye in ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'', Creator/TomKane in ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance'', and Creator/JimWard in ''WesternAnimation/WolverineAndTheXMen'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperHeroSquadShow'' all have emulated Stewart in their turns as Xavier. Averted in several ''X-Men'' video games as they did actually get Patrick Stewart to reprise the role in them.
* When Walt Simonson was the writer/artist on ''[[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]'', he based Comicbook/{{Sif|Marvel Comics}}'s look on actress Creator/SigourneyWeaver and Comicbook/TheEnchantress' sister Lorelei on Debbie Harry of the punk band Music/{{Blondie}}. This was {{Lampshaded}} in [[https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBgnomxhFBw/Vnp5-bXAUsI/AAAAAAAAX84/sp4MjNHYLlo/s1600-Ic42/RCO004.jpg an issue]] where a street punk tried to hit on Lorelei by asking if anyone had ever told her that she looks like "[[IAmNotShazam Blondie]]" before.
* [[http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/n/numinus.htm Numinus]], an obscure ''ComicBook/PowerPack'' character who looks like a bright-red Creator/WhoopiGoldberg in [[Creator/JackKirby Kirbyesque]] "cosmic" armor.
* Before ''Film/IronMan2'' came out, Justin Hammer was modeled on Creator/PeterCushing.
* [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]], as drawn by Salvador Larocca in the current series by Matt Fraction, looks [[http://joevince3.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/iron-sawyer-3.jpg A LOT]] like Creator/JoshHolloway.
* Salvador Larocca does this with many characters in ComicBook/TheNewUniverse reimagining ''newuniversal''. He casts Creator/JoshHolloway as Kenneth Connell (Star Brand); Creator/JamesGandolfini as the father of Connell's girlfriend; [[Series/TheSopranos Vincent Pastore, Steven Van Zandt, Michael Imperioli, and Tony Sirico]] as sheriff's deputies; Creator/LeonardNimoy as a Starbrand wielder from an alternate Earth; Creator/AngelinaJolie as Dr. Jennifer Swann; Creator/JamesCromwell as her boss, Philip L. Voight; Creator/BruceWillis as Det. John Tensen (Justice); Music/{{Eminem}} as the crack dealer who put Tensen in the hospital; footballer Zinedine Zidane as a [[SerialKiller Serial]]-MercyKilling nurse who would've killed Tensen if not for the White Event; Creator/JohnnyDepp as Dr. Leonard Carson; Creator/NicoleKidman as Dr. Hannah Ballad; and Creator/GeneHackman as Jim Braddock.
* On at least one occasion (the moment when ComicBook/SpiderMan revealed his secret identity), Peter Parker and J. Jonah Jameson look very much like Creator/TobeyMaguire and Creator/JKSimmons, respectively.
* Early Comicbook/DoctorStrange more or less ''is'' Creator/VincentPrice.
** Creator/SteveDitko's art can make it difficult to say for certain, but his early appearances sometimes more closely resemble Film/CharlieChan actor Warner Oland.
** Morgana Blessing was based on singer Amy Grant, something her management team did not appreciate. They were worried that Grant being associated with a sorcerer like Doctor Strange would harm her standing in the Christian music community, and took legal action against Marvel. The case ultimately ended with an out-of-court settlement.
* Creator/AlexRoss based Mr. Fantastic's appearance in ''ComicBook/{{Marvels}}'' off of Russell Johnson aka TheProfessor from ''Series/GilligansIsland'' in keeping with TheSixties setting of the series.
** Ross' fully-painted artwork uses photo references for most major characters. Books like ComicBook/KingdomCome and ComicBook/{{Marvels}} actually have model credits, mostly comprised of the artist's friends and fellow comic creators. And UsefulNotes/RichardNixon as Norman Osborn.
* Creator/BrianMichaelBendis' unused script for ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'' actually calls for this, describing Archangel as "Music/KurtCobain-esque", Comicbook/{{Rogue}} as [[Music/NoDoubt a teen Gwen Stefani]], ComicBook/{{Storm}} as either Music/ErykahBadu or Music/LaurynHill, and Comicbook/{{Gambit}} as a devilish Leonardo look-a-like, probably referring to [[Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio DiCaprio.]] Beast's dad would supposedly look like Creator/MartinSheen.
* In another Bendis example, he has stated that the mother-daughter supervillain duo the [[Characters/MilesMorales Bombshells]] from ''Comicbook/UltimateSpiderMan'' were based on the titular characters from ''Series/GilmoreGirls''. This is especially noticeable in the 2016 ''[[Comicbook/MilesMorales Spider-Man]]'' series, where artist Oscar Bazaldua very blatantly modeled Lori after Creator/LaurenGraham and Lana after Creator/AlexisBledel.
* ComicBook/BlackPanther supporting character Everett Ross is admittedly drawn as Creator/MichaelJFox.
** White Wolf was based on Creator/KevinSpacey as he appeared in ''Film/MidnightInTheGardenOfGoodAndEvil''.
* Frank Miller stated that Comicbook/{{Elektra}}'s appearance was based on bodybuilder Lisa Lyon.
* On ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'', John Buscema modeled Captain America on Creator/BurtLancaster, Comicbook/{{Hawkeye}} on Creator/AnthonyQuinn, Goliath on Robert Culp, Comicbook/{{Quicksilver}} on Creator/FredAstaire and Comicbook/TheIncredibleHercules on Steve Reeves, who portrayed Hercules in the famous Italian produced Hercules movies from the 50s. {{Lampshaded}} in an issue where a kid saw Hercules walking down the street and excitedly said it was Steve Reeves.
* Mobius M. Mobius was modeled after Marvel editor Mark Gruenwald.
* Robbie Reyes, the Comicbook/AllNewGhostRider, is based off pop singer [[Music/ZaynMalik Zayn Malik]].
* Jack Kirby's pre-cosmic ray Ben Grimm borrows the look of FilmNoir actor John Garfield.
* In the second volume of ''ComicBook/SecretAvengers'', Senator Robert Ralston, former Howling Commando and United Nations official overseeing SHIELD, is drawn to resemble a middle-aged Creator/RobertRedford.
* Comicbook/BlackWidow [[ComicBook/Marvel2099 2099]] from ''Comicbook/{{Secret Wars|2015}}'' is designed to resemble Music/NickiMinaj.
* One iteration of the character Echo was designed to look like adult film actress Skin Diamond.
* Artist Gil Kane based ComicBook/{{Morbius}}' appearance on that of actor Creator/JackPalance when he created the character.
* Mike [=McKone=]'s redesign of Blink from the 2018 relaunch of ''Comicbook/{{Exiles}}'' was inspired by Music/JanelleMonae.
* Jim Starlin based Comicbook/AdamWarlock's cigar-chomping comic relief sidekick Pip the Troll on Creator/JackKirby.
* ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'': After the [[Series/Daredevil2015 Netflix show]] was released, Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson were redesigned to resemble Creator/CharlieCox and Creator/EldenHenson respectively.

[[folder:Comic Books -- Other]]
* The Saint of Killers in ''ComicBook/{{Preacher}}'' had a powerful and deliberate resemblance to Creator/LeeMarvin, stated as deliberate by Creator/GarthEnnis in his introduction to the ''Ancient History'' collection that contained his origin story. The Reverand Jesse Custer himself resembles [[Music/TheDoors Jim Morrison]].
* ''ComicBook/TheBoys'' features Creator/SimonPegg as Wee Hughie. This started back when Pegg had only done ''Series/{{Spaced}}'' and wasn't well known ([[CastingGag appropriately]], Pegg played Hughie's father in [[Series/TheBoys2019 the streaming adaptation]]).
* The eponymous hero of the Italian comic ''ComicBook/DylanDog'' is based on Creator/RupertEverett. Among the other characters, Kim is based on Creator/KimNovak, and Professor Adam on Creator/SeanConnery. Groucho is a in-universe sosia of [[Creator/MarxBrothers Groucho Marx]], complete with fake mustaches.
** That's standard procedure at Bonelli Comics. Mystic shaman Magico Vento is Creator/DanielDayLewis, Ken Park is Creator/RobertRedford, Nick Raider is Creator/RobertMitchum (and his sidekick is Creator/EddieMurphy), Legs Weaver is Creator/SigourneyWeaver and Julia Kendall is Creator/AudreyHepburn (her maid is Creator/WhoopiGoldberg, her boss/romantic interest is Creator/JohnMalkovich and her best friend is Creator/JohnGoodman).
** This even extends to the so-called "Bonellidi", that is, comic books imitating the format and style of Bonelli Comics. For example, obscure character Gordon Link is based on Creator/KyleMacLachlan.
* ''ComicBook/RatMan'' is another Italian comic book that does this. Brakko, Rat-Man's best friend, is Creator/DannyGlover. Rat-Man's former mentors Il Pipistrello and Lupo are Creator/PatrickStewart and Creator/SylvesterStallone. HotScientist Kalissa is based on Creator/{{Cher}}. The AnimatedAdaptation also had a recurring character named Dr. Schafausen who was based on Creator/ChristopherLee.
* Dave Stevens did this an awful lot in ''ComicBook/TheRocketeer''. For example, Cliff is Errol Flynn, his girlfriend Betty is pin-up model Creator/BettiePage, Cliff's sleazy photographer rival is real-world porn photographer Ken Marcus, and second-storyline villain Lothar is Creator/RondoHatton.
** Stevens modeled Cliff Secord after himself, not Errol Flynn. He mentioned this in several interviews. And Peevy was modeled after his friend and mentor Doug Wildey.
* ''ComicBook/AstroCity'':
** Steeljack's appearance was modeled on Robert Mitchum.
** The Gentleman, like inspiration Captain Marvel (above), is modeled on Fred [=McMurray=]. On a similar note, his daughter Tillie bears a strong resemblance to Judy Garland, the original inspiration for Mary Marvel.
** Since in ''ComicBook/{{Marvels}}'', Reed Richards looked like Russell Johnson, Reed's {{Expy}} Augustus Furst also looks like Johnson. Augustus' brother, Julius, though, is based on Creator/JuliusSchwartz.
* Anything drawn by Greg Land will resemble a random assortment of celebrities and porn stars due to his tendency to trace. Unfortunately, there's little rhyme or reason to his choices. Emma Frost may look like Creator/NataliePortman in one panel and Kim Kardashian in the next.
* ''ComicBook/CerebusTheAardvark'' has too many of these to count, though the most notable one has to be Lord Julius, who for all intents and purposes ''is'' [[Creator/MarxBrothers Groucho Marx]]. Groucho's actual first name, for the record, was Julius. Other members of the Marx Brothers are also depicted. Over the years there has also been a character based upon UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher, and Canadian politicians have also been caricatured.
* In Creator/JossWhedon's ''ComicBook/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' season 8, there's a Tibetan character called Bayarmaa. The artist, Georges Jeanty, made her look like the exact portrait of Creator/DichenLachman, a half Tibetan actress who stars in another of Whedon's shows (she's Sierra in ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}'').
** In the "season 9" comics, Severin is based on Creator/JamesMcAvoy (specifically from ''Film/XMenFirstClass''), Nash on Music/DavidBowie, and Pearl on Karen O of Music/YeahYeahYeahs.
* Jeremy Johns, a character in ''Spike: After the Fall'', is based on Jim Halpert from ''Series/{{The Office|US}}'', played by Creator/JohnKrasinski.
* In the Magazine/DoctorWhoMagazine comic strips:
** In "A Change of Mind", the villainous MadScientist Professor Hardin is both physically based on, and named after, Jerry Hardin, best known as Deep Throat in ''Series/TheXFiles''.
** Long-running Eighth Doctor companion Izzy S was based, according to WordOfGod, initially on the singer Music/LouiseWener and later on the actress Luisa Bradshaw-White.
** The Eighth Doctor strips also featured a [[spoiler: fake Ninth Doctor, in reality, the Time Lord agent Shayde in disguise]], who was visually based on the Big Name Fan, spin-off actor-director, and now official Dalek voice artist Creator/NicholasBriggs.
** Leighton Woodrow, a [=MI6=] recurring character from that era of the comics, was closely based on Leo [=McKern=], specifically, as he appeared when playing Number Two in ''Series/ThePrisoner1967''.
** Frobisher's humanoid form in his Eighth Doctor reappearance is based on James Gandolfini.
** In the Twelfth Doctor strips, Jess Collins was based on actress MéLissa Azombo, a big ''Series/DoctorWho'' fan who jumped at the chance to be in the comic, even doing a photoshoot as reference for artist David A. Roach.
** Tech-bro quadrillionaire Rudy Zoom, a recurring character in the Twelfth Doctor strips, is closely based on Creator/LennyHenry (who'd subsequently get a role in the TV series during the Thirteenth Doctor's era as wealthy tech-bro Daniel Barton, though he's a villain where Rudy's more or less on the Doctor's side).
** The younger version of the War Doctor seen in ''The Clockwise War'' and ''Ambush'' is obviously based on a young John Hurt-specifically the picture used for his reflection in ''The Night of the Doctor''.
* In the ''ComicBook/DoctorWhoTitan'' Eleventh Doctor comics, the older version of recurring villain August Hart is blatantly based on Creator/BryanCranston's BeardOfEvil look as [[Series/BreakingBad Walter White]].
* In the ''ComicBook/DoctorWhoTitan'' Twelfth Doctor comics, the original companion Hattie, who is a bassist in a rock band, looks like a younger and punker Gail Ann Dorsey, a real bass player best known for her work with Music/DavidBowie.
* In the ''ComicBook/DoctorWhoTitan'' Thirteenth Doctor comics, the female incarnation of the Corsair who appears in one arc bears a strong resemblance to Creator/KatieMcGrath.
* Lieutenant ''ComicBook/{{Blueberry}}'' was originally based on Creator/JeanPaulBelmondo. His face later [[ArtEvolution evolved]] into what now looks like a Belmondo/Creator/AntonioBanderas cross-over.
* ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'':
** The titular character was modeled on Creator/ClintEastwood.
** Dirty Frank was intentionally drawn to resemble Creator/AlanMoore.
** Judge Anderson was based on [[Music/{{Blondie}} Debbie Harry]] in her first few appearances.
** Chief Judge Cal, being TheCaligula, was drawn to resemble Creator/JohnHurt in ''Series/IClaudius''.
* There are a number of examples in ''ComicBook/GlobalFrequency'', DependingOnTheArtist. In certain issues, Miranda Zero looks almost exactly like Creator/MichelleForbes, who was later cast as her in the abortive TV pilot. In issue 4, the English gunwoman looks like Creator/KateMoss (something of an in-joke, as Creator/WarrenEllis's ''ComicBook/{{Stormwatch}}'' and ''ComicBook/TheAuthority'' leading character Jenny Sparks was famously visually based on her). And in issue 5, the magician Alan Crowe looks exactly like Creator/AlanCumming.
* Rasputin in ''ComicBook/CortoMaltese'' is quite obviously modeled after the famous Russian monk of the same name. This is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in one story, where someone asks the name of the "guy who looks like Rasputin".
* The main character of ''ComicBook/SwitchbladeHoney'', Captain John Ryder, is based on Creator/RayWinstone. The story started out with the idea "What if the [[LondonGangster kind of character]] who Ray Winstone usually plays somehow got to be a ''Franchise/StarTrek'' captain?".
* Creator/JonPolito was cast as Gideon the pawnshop owner in the film of ''Film/TheCrow'' because the character in [[Comicbook/TheCrow the comic]] was modeled on him.
** Eric's physique was modeled on Music/IggyPop.
* In the ''ComicBook/{{Marsupilami}}'' comic series, Harold Stonelove, the villain of "The Temple of Boavista", has a striking similarity to Creator/HughLaurie, especially in the flashback to his younger days.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'': Several comic only characters were based on actors, and even the creator admitted that he mentally casts the characters. Quincy Hemings is Creator/MorganFreeman, Duval is Creator/EddieMarsan, and the leader of the Illuminati is Creator/JudeLaw.
* ComicBook/{{Criminal}}: Last of the Innocent features Creator/WilWheaton as [[Literature/EncyclopediaBrown Britannica]] [[{{Expy}} Black]], a former KidDetective who grew into a [[HardboiledDetective Noir-style PI]].
* Wesley and the Fox in ''Comicbook/{{Wanted}}'' are overtly based on Music/{{Eminem}} and Creator/HalleBerry, in what was seen as a deliberate attempt to angle for a film adaptation. In the [[Film/{{Wanted}} eventual film]] the roles ended up being played by Creator/JamesMcAvoy and Creator/AngelinaJolie. Wesley's father bears a resemblance to Creator/TommyLeeJones.
* Creator/MarkMillar's first comic ''Saviour'' focuses on a returned Jesus [[spoiler:who later turns out to be the devil]] that looks like Creator/JonathanRoss.
* ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}'':
** In ''Recap/AsterixAndTheFallingSky'', the Superclones (an army of {{Captain Ersatz}}es of Franchise/{{Superman}}, with a bit of Franchise/GreenLantern thrown in) bear an uncanny resemblance to Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger.
** Previously, ''Recap/AsterixAndTheBlackGold'' had the spy Zerozerosix, which to push [[Film/JamesBond the joke]] further looks like (a skinny) Creator/SeanConnery.
** There is a group of mega-famous bardic singers in ''Recap/AsterixInBritain'' (1966) who look suspiciously like Music/TheBeatles.
** Preposterus in ''Recap/ObelixAndCo'' was [[TakeThat based]] on then French Prime Minister, and later [[UsefulNotes/ThePresidentsOfFrance President]], Jacques Chirac.
* Jenny Sparks in ''ComicBook/{{Stormwatch}}'' and ''ComicBook/TheAuthority'' is a double for the model Kate Moss.
* Creator/JonathanRoss and Bryan Hitch's series ''America's Got Powers'' is pretty evident with its celebrity likenesses, with Creator/DavidTennant as the head scientist, and UsefulNotes/SarahPalin as a villainous US Sentator, with Creator/EdHarris playing a [=John McCain=] fashioned US President, even before he was cast as [=McCain=] for the TV movie ''Game Change''.
* ''ComicBook/LuckyLuke'':
** Luke faces a BountyHunter who looks like Creator/LeeVanCleef.
** In one story there is a Creator/AlfredHitchcock bartender -- making a CreatorCameo in a "movie" outside of his own!
** Creator/LouisDeFunes makes an appearance as an irritable little man who mistreats his employees... so pretty much any of his roles.
* ''ComicBook/FromHell'': Inspector Abberline was modelled after Creator/RobbieColtrane. Who amusingly was also in the movie, though Abberline himself was played by Creator/JohnnyDepp.
* In ''ComicBook/{{Transmetropolitan}}'', Oscar Rossini is played by Creator/PatrickStewart, who was a big fan of the comic and had been considered as potentially playing Spider Jerusalem in a failed film adaptation project.
* The cast of ''Comicbook/TheWickedAndTheDivine'' are all physically modeled after famous music stars.
** Lucifer - A {{Gender Flip}}ped Music/DavidBowie
** Baal - Music/KanyeWest (It could also be argued that he looks like Music/{{Drake}})
** Sakhemet - Music/{{Rihanna}}
** Woden - A member of Music/DaftPunk
** Baphomet - [[Music/TheSistersOfMercy Andrew Eldritch]]
** The Morrígan - [[Music/TheSistersOfMercy Patricia Morrison]]
** Amaterasu - [[Music/FlorenceAndTheMachine Florence Welch]]
* By WordOfGod, the titular heroine of ''ComicBook/AlbedoErmaFelnaEDF'' is basically a feline version of Creator/HelenaBonhamCarter, albeit only in looks in a retroactive way, due to the ArtEvolution Erma has suffered across the years, since she debuted many years before Carter began her career as an actress.
* The IDW comic spin-off of ''Series/DirkGently'' has a Dirk who looks very, very, similar to Creator/DavidTennant. He's also costumed and styled in a way that creates the general impression that IDW were very upset about losing the ''Doctor Who'' comics license and are desperately trying to lure the readers into a new comic.
* In ''ComicBook/TheInvisibles'', the Blind Chessplayer is sometimes drawn to look exactly like Creator/RichardEGrant. After one of those occasions, his conversation with Dane in Dulce, Dane outright says that he looked like a well-known actor without mentioning who.
* ''ComicBook/{{XIII}}'': General Carrington is very much Creator/LeeMarvin. Jones looks like Music/WhitneyHouston. Carl Heideger looks like Henry Kissinger. Betty Barnowsky looks like Creator/ShirleyMacLaine.
* ''ComicBook/TransformersVsGIJoe'':
** General Flagg is based on the seminal ''GI Joe'' writer Creator/LarryHama.
** Dr. Venom is Creator/ChristophWaltz, largely due to the [[{{Expy}} similarity of his characterisation]] in this comic to [[Film/IngloriousBasterds one of Waltz's best-known English-language roles]].
** Falcon is a young Creator/SylvesterStallone.
* In the Image SF comic ''ComicBook/VoidTrip'', co-protagonist Ana looks an awful lot like Creator/CaraDelevingne.
* [[ComicBook/StarWarsUnion At least one]] of the plenitude of ''Franchise/StarWars'' spinoff comics appears to have modeled its depiction of Jedi Knight [[BrokenAce Kam Solusar]] on Creator/BruceWillis.
* Creator/RobLiefeld's character Prophet's sidekick Kirby is based, not surprisingly, on Creator/JackKirby.
* The short-lived ComicBook/TheBeano character Robbie Rebel was based on Music/RobbieWilliams.
* The ComicBook/{{Viz}} character Cockney Wanker was based on actor and comedian Mike Reid (best known for playing Frank Butcher in ''Series/EastEnders'').
* Comic adaptations of the Oz series have a tendency to draw Dorothy not as her real actress Judy Garland, but the original casting choice of writer Frank Baum and producer Mervyn [=LeRoy=], Shirley Temple.
* In ''ComicBook/ApamaTheUndiscoveredAnimal'', main character Ilyia and his love interest Vica are modeled after actors Perren Hedderson and Jocelyn Wrzosek, who played their counterparts David and Robyn in the movie ''Film/HeroTomorrow''.

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''[[Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon Abraxas]]'': The [[{{Kaiju}} Kaiju/Titans]] are able to communicate with each other and with the [[{{Metamorphosis}} transformed]] Vivienne Graham, and the author has described what the voices of Ichi, Ni and Godzilla sound like [[https://hrodvitnon.tumblr.com/post/623720240777412608 here]]. She's also [[https://hrodvitnon.tumblr.com/post/623945202392055808/ toyed with]] potential voice claims for Thor, Mothra and Rodan, and has stated Monster X's (San and Vivienne) voice in its first form sounds like the Gravemind's in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}''.
* ''Fanfic/AThingOfVikings'': The [[WordOfGod author]], after being asked, made a [[https://athingofvikings.tumblr.com/post/174985248875/i-sometimes-forget-what-wulfhild-loks-like-so-i tumblr post]] with face claims for some of the fic's [[OriginalCharacter OC’s]].
** Wulfhild looks like Creator/JuliaStiles as she appeared in ''Film/SaveTheLastDance'' or ''Film/TheBourneIdentity'', only shorter and with [[RapunzelHair longer hair]].
** William of Normandy looks like Creator/TomHolland.
** Harald, Magnus, and Gunnar Bræsisson looks like Creator/ChrisHemsworth, Creator/LukeHemsworth, and Creator/LiamHemsworth respectively, only with blonde hair.
** The [[WordOfGod author]] stated that he has an idea for who [[BlackVikings Gudmund Hallvarsson]] looks like, but hasn’t said who it is due to spoilers. [[spoiler:It’s eventually [[https://athingofvikings.tumblr.com/post/185676801175/when-you-made-faceclaims-for-some-of-your revealed]] that Gudmund/Heidrun’s faceclaim is Creator/NicoleBeharie]] only taller and with shorter hair.
** Yngvarr looks like Creator/HeathLedger as he appeared in ''Film/AKnightsTale''.
** Pelagia Triantafyllou looks like [[Film/MyBigFatGreekWedding Nia Vardalos]].
** Inga Roswynsdoittor looks like Marian Tomas Griffin, when she was 18.
** Bladewit looks like Creator/JudiDench.
** Benjamin Axelsson looks like Creator/MattDamon as he appeared in ''Film/GoodWillHunting'' or ''Film/SavingPrivateRyan''.
* Back in the day, Lance Parkin and Mark Clapham wrote a series of ''Series/DoctorWho'' fanfics featuring the 42nd Doctor (played, of course, by Creator/IanRichardson) and his wife Iphegenia (played by Caitlin Moran).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', Aladdin was based on Creator/TomCruise. Earlier designs took inspiration from Creator/MichaelJFox. Jafar, in turn, was a copy of Creator/ConradVeidt in ''Film/{{The Thief of Bagdad|1940}}''. While Jasmine bears resemblance to Creator/JenniferConnelly, the animator modeled her after his own sister.
* Carl Fredrickson from ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'' is inspired by Creator/SpencerTracy, with a bit of Creator/WalterMatthau thrown in. His childhood hero [[spoiler:turned nemesis]], Charles Muntz, resembles Creator/KirkDouglas.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'':
** Ursula was based on, of all people, drag queen and Creator/JohnWaters regular Divine.
** While Creator/SherriStoner was the model for Ariel, animators have said they were inspired by then teen actress Creator/AlyssaMilano.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Anastasia}}'' is a combination of Creator/AudreyHepburn and her voice actress, Creator/MegRyan, making her both this trope and InkSuitActor.
* ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'':
** The wicked queen was based on Creator/JoanCrawford.
** Snow White was based on Creator/JanetGaynor.
* {{WesternAnimation/Cinderella}} was based on Creator/IngridBergman
* ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': Creator/HeleneStanley was the physical model for Aurora.
* ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'':
** Gaston bears an uncanny resemblance to Creator/BruceCampbell. He's even introduced with a [[Franchise/EvilDead boomstick]] in his hand. It goes further than that: in his first appearance, he's wearing the "Groovy" Smile.
** Belle was based on a range of actresses, including Creator/AudreyHepburn.
* TheCaptain in ''Anime/FinalFantasyTheSpiritsWithin'' looks like a young Creator/GeorgeClooney or Creator/BenAffleck.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'': If you know who Music/CabCalloway is, then you'll pick up on Oogie Boogie's similarities to him.
* Though voiced by Creator/BillNighy, Rattlesnake Jake from ''WesternAnimation/{{Rango}}'' is modeled off of the hawkish face of Creator/LeeVanCleef.
* Lord Farquad in ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' was modeled on Michael Eisner, as a TakeThat from his former partner Jeffrey Katzenberg.
* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanVsTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' not only sees Creator/TroyBaker once again emulate Creator/MarkHamill as the Joker, but likely inspired by ''Film/TheFly1986'', Creator/KeithFerguson is channeling Creator/JeffGoldblum as Baxter Stockman.
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[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* Sentinel Prime of ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'' is a robotic version of 1970s Creator/SeanConnery (though his body language [[InkSuitActor is that of his voice actor]], Creator/LeonardNimoy).
* Both ''{{Film/Hellboy|2004}}'' director Creator/GuillermoDelToro and ''{{ComicBook/Hellboy}}'' creator Creator/MikeMignola revealed at the same time that their first choice for the title character was Creator/RonPerlman.
* Creator/NeillBlomkamp's concept art for ''Film/{{Chappie}}'' originally had Deon Wilson (Chappie's creator) modeled after the likeness of actor Jason Cope, who was the motion capture actor for the alien Christopher Johnson in ''Film/District9'' and also served as one of the narrators in the same movie. Dev Patel was ultimately chosen for the role of Deon, but Cope still makes a cameo as a Tetravaal engineer.
* ''Film/CloudAtlas'': In-universe. When Cavendish is planning the escape with his compatriots, he imagines that a film adaptation should have the hero be "Sir Creator/LaurenceOlivier with a dash of Creator/MichaelCaine."
[[/folder]]

* The main characters in ''ComicStrip/ApartmentThreeG'' were all based on actresses who were popular when the strip came out: Margo is Creator/JoanCollins, Tommie is Creator/LucilleBall, and Lu Ann is Tuesday Weld. It's a lot more obvious in the [[https://joshreads.com/images/15/11/apartment3g6-5-66.jpg early strips]].

* Before the movies, [[ComicBook/XMen Charles Xavier's]] bald head and thin eyebrows were reminiscent of Creator/YulBrynner's distinct appearance. In several ComicBook/XMen books since the movies, though, Professor Xavier has noticeably been drawn more like Creator/PatrickStewart.

* When Walt Simonson was the writer/artist on ''[[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]'', he based Sif's look on actress Creator/SigourneyWeaver and the Enchantress' sister Lorelei on Debbie Harry of the punk band Music/{{Blondie}}. This was {{Lampshaded}} in [[https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBgnomxhFBw/Vnp5-bXAUsI/AAAAAAAAX84/sp4MjNHYLlo/s1600-Ic42/RCO004.jpg an issue]] where a street punk tried to hit on Lorelei by asking if anyone had ever told her that she looks like "[[IAmNotShazam Blondie]]" before.

* [[ComicBook/TheUltimates Ultimate]] ComicBook/NickFury was drawn to look like Creator/SamuelLJackson. In the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, Jackson was naturally cast in the role. This was an explicit arrangement; Jackson, a big comic book fan, gave Marvel free rein to use his likeness for the character as long as he could have the part in the movies (though only after he threatened to sue them for using is likeness without his knowledge or consent).

* ''ComicBook/TheBoys'' features Creator/SimonPegg as Wee Hughie. This started back when Pegg had only done ''Series/{{Spaced}}'' and wasn't well known. ([[CastingGag appropriately]], Pegg played Hughie's father in [[Series/TheBoys2019 the streaming adaptation]])

* In another Bendis example, he has stated that the mother-daughter supervillain duo the Comicbook/{{Bombshell}}s from ''Comicbook/UltimateSpiderMan'' were based on the titular characters from ''Series/GilmoreGirls''. This is especially noticeable in the 2016 ''[[Comicbook/MilesMorales Spider-Man]]'' series, where artist Oscar Bazaldua very blatantly modeled Lori after Creator/LaurenGraham and Lana after Creator/AlexisBledel.