Gallery: 'The Iron Lady' and other political biopics

By Umika Pidaparthy, Special to CNN

Updated 11:01 AM ET, Fri December 30, 2011

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Meryl Streep plays former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the biopic "The Iron Lady," which is in theaters on December 30. Here are some other well-known portrayals of political figures that have received acclaim over the years.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"The Iron Lady" (2011) – Meryl Streep plays former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the biopic "The Iron Lady," which is in theaters on December 30. Here are some other well-known portrayals of political figures that have received acclaim over the years.

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Ralph Bellamy not only played President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the early stages of polio in the Broadway play "Sunrise at Campobello," he also reprised his role for the 1960 film adaptation.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Sunrise at Campobello" (1960) – Ralph Bellamy not only played President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the early stages of polio in the Broadway play "Sunrise at Campobello," he also reprised his role for the 1960 film adaptation.

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Ben Kingsley shot to fame after he played Mohandas K. Gandhi in the film "Gandhi" and won the best actor Academy Award. The film about the Indian freedom fighter went on to become a critical and commercial success.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Gandhi" (1982) – Ben Kingsley shot to fame after he played Mohandas K. Gandhi in the film "Gandhi" and won the best actor Academy Award. The film about the Indian freedom fighter went on to become a critical and commercial success.

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Denzel Washington portrayed Malcolm X in the film "Malcolm X," which was directed by Spike Lee. His performance as the black nationalist leader earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Malcolm X" (1992) – Denzel Washington portrayed Malcolm X in the film "Malcolm X," which was directed by Spike Lee. His performance as the black nationalist leader earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor.

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Anthony Hopkins portrayed President Richard M. Nixon in Oliver Stone's biopic, "Nixon." Frank Langella played Nixon post-Watergate in the stage and the 2008 film version of "Frost/Nixon."

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Nixon" (1995), "Frost/Nixon" (2008) – Anthony Hopkins portrayed President Richard M. Nixon in Oliver Stone's biopic, "Nixon." Frank Langella played Nixon post-Watergate in the stage and the 2008 film version of "Frost/Nixon."

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Bruce Greenwood portrayed President John F. Kennedy, with Kevin Costner playing Kennedy's top aide Kenneth O'Donnell, during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis in "Thirteen Days."

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Thirteen Days" (2000) – Bruce Greenwood portrayed President John F. Kennedy, with Kevin Costner playing Kennedy's top aide Kenneth O'Donnell, during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis in "Thirteen Days."

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Albert Finney played Winston Churchill at the onset of World War II in the TV film "The Gathering Storm." Brendan Gleeson, portrayed the prime minister in the 2009 continuation, "Into the Storm."

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"The Gathering Storm (2002), "Into the Storm" (2009) – Albert Finney played Winston Churchill at the onset of World War II in the TV film "The Gathering Storm." Brendan Gleeson, portrayed the prime minister in the 2009 continuation, "Into the Storm."

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Helen Mirren gave an Oscar-winning performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the days after Princess Diana's death in "The Queen." She had previously played Queen Elizabeth I in the 2005 TV series, "Elizabeth I."

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"The Queen" (2006) – Helen Mirren gave an Oscar-winning performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the days after Princess Diana's death in "The Queen." She had previously played Queen Elizabeth I in the 2005 TV series, "Elizabeth I."

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Forest Whitaker's performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" brought him a best actor Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA Award.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"The Last King of Scotland" (2006) – Forest Whitaker's performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" brought him a best actor Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA Award.

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Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"W." (2008) – Josh Brolin played President George W. Bush in the Oliver Stone-directed film "W."

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Benicio del Toro portrayed Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara in the two-part biopic "Che." He went on to win the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Che" (2008) – Benicio del Toro portrayed Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara in the two-part biopic "Che." He went on to win the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008.

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Sean Penn played Harvey Milk, an openly gay politician and the first to be elected to public office in California, in "Milk." For his performance, Penn won the Oscar for best actor.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"Milk" (2008) – Sean Penn played Harvey Milk, an openly gay politician and the first to be elected to public office in California, in "Milk." For his performance, Penn won the Oscar for best actor.

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Michael Sheen has played former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in not just one, but three films; "The Deal" in 2003, "The Queen" in 2006 and "The Special Relationship" in 2010, which is pictured here.

Photos: "The Iron Lady" and other political biopics

"The Special Relationship" (2010) – Michael Sheen has played former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in not just one, but three films; "The Deal" in 2003, "The Queen" in 2006 and "The Special Relationship" in 2010, which is pictured here.

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