One of the greatest things about our world is that everyone is different. Every person is a unique snowflake.
However some snowflakes are not quite so unique. The truth is that many of us look exactly like other people. In my case that has unfortunately mostly led to Rick Moranis or Steve-O from Jackass comparisons (save one glorious time when a small, possibly nearsighted child misidentified me as very tall NFL quarterback Matt Ryan), but for better or worse, almost all of us look like someone else.
Even the world’s powerful elite are not immune from looking like other people. No corridor of power is untouched by this phenomenon. When I first saw His Holiness Pope Francis I thought he was Rudolph Giuliani. Or maybe Dennis Hopper.
Here are a few other examples of world leaders past and present who look like someone else.
Hugo Chávez/Miguel Cabrera – The late Venezuelan president, in his younger years, bears a strong likeness to the current plus-size version of MLB slugger and countryman Miguel Cabrera. No word on whether or not Chávez regarded massive homeruns as ostentatious luxuries that only counter-revolutionary right-wing bourgeois elements should indulge in.
Hugo Chavez
MIGGY
Vladimir Putin/Sam Neill – If anyone could – through sheer force of machismo and icy stares – coax the dinosaurs back into existence, it’s Russian President Vlad Putin. Conversely, if there’s anyone who could find a way to use science to unite the diverse peoples and far reaches of Mother Russia, it’s Dr. Alan Grant.
Vlad Putin
Sam Neill aka Dr. Alan Grant
Muammar Gadaffi/Tom Hanks – When Tom Hanks grows out that mustache, he bears an uncomfortably strong likeness to the late Libyan dictator. While we have no reason to believe the two ever met in real life, it is fun to think about them reenacting the piano-dancing scene from “Big” together.
Muammar Gadaffi
Tom Hanks
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad/Michael Gross – One can’t help but wonder how different Alex P. Keaton’s upbringing would have been under the firm hand of Iran’s former president as opposed to the kindly, indulging Steven Keaton on Family Ties.
Ahmadinejad
Michael Gross aka Steven Keaton (bearded one)
Tarja Halonen/Conan O’Brien – The venerated Finnish president was a good sport after it was discovered that COB kinda sorta looks like her and he proceeded to make a huge deal about it.
Millard Fillmore/Alec Baldwin – This one has been well documented but it’s worth repeating. The resemblance between our nation’s 13th president and Jack Donaghy is eerie and delightful. Although he passed quite some time ago, President Fillmore can still be found on Twitter, so be sure to troll him for signing the Fugitive Slave Act.
Omar al-Bashir/Michael Wilbon – The resemblance between the respected sportswriter and the Sudanese strongman is simply stunning. I for one would like to see Bashir replace Tony Kornheiser and sit in on Pardon The Interruption for a week just to see what happens. The resultant violent conflict would no doubt give the International Criminal Court the juice they need to finally bring down OalB for good.
Omar al-Bashir
Wilbon
Filed under: F Lists Tagged: 80s, baseball, dinosaurs, film, Finland, humor, iran, movies, politics, Russia, sports, Sudan
