Biopic roles: Now and Then

(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Abraham Lincoln (L) and Actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Oscar hype begins this week with the announcement of the nominations for the 69th annual Golden Globes and the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Luise Rainer became the first actress to receive an Academy Award for her role in the 1936 biopic 'The Great Ziegfeld,' playing stage performer Anna Held. Over half of the last ... more 

(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Abraham Lincoln (L) and Actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Oscar hype begins this week with the announcement of the nominations for the 69th annual Golden Globes and the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Luise Rainer became the first actress to receive an Academy Award for her role in the 1936 biopic 'The Great Ziegfeld,' playing stage performer Anna Held. Over half of the last ten Oscars for best actor or actress have been for performances in a biopic. The trend continues this year with the nominations for actors Michelle Williams, Meryl Streep, Viggo Mortensen, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio for their roles in 'My Week With Marilyn.' 'The Iron Lady,' 'A Dangerous Method,' 'Moneyball' and 'J Edgar.' ***LEFT IMAGE***1863: Abraham Lincoln, (1809 - 1865), the 16th President of the United States of America poses in circa1863. (Photo by Alexander Gardner/Getty Images)***RIGHT IMAGE***HOLLYWOOD - FEBRUARY 24: Actor Daniel Day-Lewis arrives at the 80th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) less