20 actors who completely transformed themselves into music legends

The larger-than-life musicians we worship have been brought to the big screen for decades, in biopics that range from transformative to middling.

And finding actors who can accurately portray those artists often requires musical training, studying mannerisms, and physical transformations.

While some roles merely require learning some choreography and slight makeup, others are more intensive, such as Jamie Foxx having his eyes glued shut to portray Ray Charles. 

This year, a number of musical biopics are hitting the screen, including one with British actor Tom Hiddleston as Southern musician Hank Williams and Don Cheadle as jazz artist Miles Davis. 

Here are 20 of the most notable transformations: 

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Tom Hiddleston — Hank Williams

The English actor transformed into the folk singer, Southern drawl and all, for "I Saw the Light." Hiddleston stayed with singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell for five weeks and was coached in Williams' mannerisms and singing style. The film hit theaters March 25. 

Don Cheadle — Miles Davis

Cheadle was first roped into this project back in 2006 when Miles Davis, who died in 1991, was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Afterward, Davis' nephew said Cheadles would play his uncle in a film of his life. Cheadle eventually cowrote a script, signed on to direct, and portrayed the jazz musician in "Miles Ahead," which will be released April 6. 

(Cheadle also portrayed Sammy Davis Jr. in 1998's “The Rat Pack,” for which he won a Golden Globe.)

Jason Mitchell — Eazy-E

Jason Mitchell's transformation into the late N.W.A rapper Eazy-E for "Straight Outta Compton" blew critics away. The relatively unknown "consistently out-acts the rest of the performers," a New York Times review said. Mitchell, who has a similarly built frame to Eazy-E, gained weight, practiced a South Los Angeles accent, and learned how to rap for the role, according to the Los Angeles Times. Corey Hawkins became Dr. Dre and O'Shea Jackson Jr. transformed into his father, Ice Cube, for the film.