The Drill Down
Does Art Imitate Life? These Cartoon Doppelgangers Are Beyond Puzzling

The fact that so many real-life body doubles look just like our favorite animated characters could be interpreted as either a testimony to the artists creating them, or just a bit creepy. It all depends on your perspective! Whatever you happen to think, we’ve compiled a list of the cartoon doppelgangers that made our heads spin.
1. Robert Franzese is Peter Griffin
Stealing the show at New York’s Comic-Con in 2014, Robert Franzese’s green pants, glasses, and white button-up shirt made him instantly recognizable to crowds as one of cartoon television’s biggest lovable morons. Franzese’s spot-on Peter Griffin impression caused a huge frenzy from fans who could hardly contain their excitement.

YouTube/Boom! Big Pants IMDb/Fox
Franzese’s epic cartoon doppelganger impression was recorded and put on YouTube under the account “Boom! Big Pants.” His video, entitled “Real Life Peter Griffin Goes To NYCC 2014,” went viral, having been viewed over 6 million times by excited fans who wanted to see what a real-life Peter Griffin would look like.
2. Tweety’s Granny Flies The Coop
The Looney Tunes character Emma Webster, better known as simply “Granny,” has been a staple of the Warner Brothers cartoon family since her first appearance in 1937. Fans fell in love with Granny’s sweet and nurturing demeanor. But she would become aggressively protective of her beloved Tweety Bird whenever she was threatened by Sylvester the cat.

imgur/cameragirlsp YouTube/Wally Peacock/Warner Bros.
So one could imagine that it wasn’t too much of a surprise that someone would get excited thinking they’d seen the real life Granny. This pop culture callback in the form of a remarkable cartoon doppelganger was uploaded by Reddit user cameragirlsp, and has since been viewed and reproduced numerous times by fans of one of cartoon’s favorite grandmas.
3. So Similar It’s Almost Suspicious
Even when a joke dies, if it’s on the Internet it never goes away forever. That certainly rang true for the Steve Harvey and Mr. Potato Head lookalike meme. In 2017 the comparison of the famous comedian and businessman exploded on Twitter. People couldn’t seem to get enough of the idea that Harvey looked like the Toy Story character.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/YouTube/WowItsMel/Pixar
The joke then expanded further. Suddenly it wasn’t just Mr. Potato Head that looked like Steve Harvey’s face, but so many other everyday objects too. One Twitter user even compared the host of Family Feud and The Steve Harvey Morning Show to a football with a mustache. Harvey is used to making jokes, so hopefully he didn’t mind too much being the butt of this one.
4. Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home
South Park‘s resident mean kid Eric Cartman is considered to be one of the most popular and recognizable characters in cartoon history, infamous for having a no-holds barred approach to comedy. Not only is he a fan favorite, but show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have admitted that Cartman is also their favorite character as well.

IMDb/Comedy Central YouTube/Skel
Sporting the classic red sweatshirt and blue and yellow beanie, there’s no way that this real-life Eric Cartman was just a coincidence. There’s just one key issue with this picture: unlike his cartoon doppelganger, this boy doesn’t look like he’s got a bad bone in his body!
5. Two And A Half Men? Giggity
Charlie Sheen has been known for attending more than a few parties in his day. His character’s romantic activities on the hit television series Two and a Half Men are supposedly reflective of the actor’s own dating life. In fact, there’s some who would claim this womanizing actor carries not only a visible resemblance to Glenn Quagmire.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic YouTube/Family Guy/20th Century Fox
Many have observed that the two share more than a few personality traits. That’s not to say that Sheen is exactly like Quagmire. But the Family Guy character is often seen with a beautiful woman on his arm, and it’s hard to argue that’s so different from Sheen’s own life.
6. Danny Flintstone
Award-winning actor Danny DeVito is best known for his roles in the television series Taxi and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. But one thing that fans don’t know is that once upon a time, we almost had the chance to say “Yabba Dabba Danny Devito.” He was nearly cast as Fred Flintstone in the 1994 live-action movie based on the show.

imgur/Amemeinglesslifebanned wikicommons/Glenn Francis
DeVito was originally eyed by Steven Spielberg to play the role of the iconic Fred Flintstone. While his portrayal was considered too gruff for the role, it seems as though DeVito’s likeness may have managed to slip into an episode of The Flintstones anyway. While the cartoon doppelganger isn’t voiced by DeVito or anything, it’s hard to deny that uncanny resemblance.
7. Anna and Elsa and Mary-Kate and Ashley
Acting together since they were infants on Full House, it would seem Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have a much longer history between them than Disney princess sisters Anna and Elsa. In fact, the two are such a dynamic duo that, rather than being given two separate stars on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame, they share one together.

Chris Polk/FilmMagic Facebook/Frozen/Disney
For that 2004 ceremony, Mary-Kate Olsen decided to dye her hair a red color. It wasn’t for another decade after the first Frozen was released that fans looking back over the photos of that memorable day in the sister’s career noticed the famous twins’ uncanny resemblance. Does this mean they are also friends with a talking snowman and anthropomorphic reindeer?
8. Larry King’s Evil Twin?
Most people, even those who didn’t religiously watch The Simpsons, will probably recognize Homer’s boss Mr. Burns, the wealthy and deeply sinister owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. But one particularly insightful Internet poster looked a little closer at Mr. Burns and realized he looked an awful lot like late night talk show host Larry King.

wikicommons YouTube/DrRockso1987/20th Century Fox
King has been a television personality for generations, and his signature style thanks to decades of journalism work has been parodied more than a few times in varying works of entertainment. In fact, King himself even appeared as a guest star on The Simpsons, playing himself in the episode, “One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish.”
9. The Nutty Professor
As a self-described mad scientist, Professor Farnsworth is the morally bankrupt proprietor of the Planet Express delivery service and employer of many of the main characters in Futurama. There are many lookalikes of this infamous television character, but none more so than the one that appeared on Adam Savage’s series, Tested.

Adam Savage Tested/YouTube YouTube/ScareCrow/20th Century Fox
Tested is an online series which explores all sorts of new technology, hosted by Norman Chan and Adam Savage. Being a special effects designer by training, Savage took it upon himself to recreate the perfect Professor Farnsworth. Luckily they had a similar-looking actor ready to go. After a bit of prosthetics and makeup, he was undoubtedly the real-life version of his mad scientist cartoon doppelganger.
10. Milhouse’s TV Doppelganger
Bart Simpson’s best friend and a recurring character in The Simpsons, Milhouse is known for getting into trouble. He’s constantly involving himself in Bart’s hijinks while also harboring strong feelings for Lisa that his personal insecurity keeps him from acting on. Recognizable for his glasses and combover, he shares his characteristics with child star Josh Saviano.

IMDb/ABC YouTube/Crimson Claw/20th Century Fox
Saviano played the character Paul Joshua Pfeiffer in the incredibly popular comedy-drama series The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988 to 1993. Looking back, many found the child actor (who’s currently a lawyer!) back in the day bore more than a passing resemblance to the beloved blue-haired cartoon character.
NEXT: These cartoon doppelgangers left us positively gagging.
11. Gru, Adored By Children?
Created with a James Bond villain in mind, Despicable Me’s Gru is the Slavic-accented protagonist (or is it antagonist?) of the film series. Originally, he is bent on world domination, inventing evil schemes to try and impress his neglectful mother. But after adopting a trio of children, Gru begins to instead focus his energy on their well-being.

Instagram/yuval_hamevulbal YouTube/Our Minions/Illumination Entertainment/Universal
Turns out that the real-life Gru is very much beloved by children in his own right! Israeli actor and entertainer Yuval Shemtov uploaded a video on his Instagram of himself dressed as the boss of the minions. With his bald head, curved nose, and perfectly-recreated hunch, Shemtov proved he too had a cartoon doppelganger.
12. Live-Action Ratatouille?
The film Ratatouille takes the motto of “everyone can cook” to a new extreme. Its star animated rat with extraordinary intelligence and a passion for cooking dreams of becoming France’s best chef. In this heartwarming audience favorite, Remy the rat befriends a garbage boy named Alfredo Linguini who helps Remy realize that dream.

reddit/zombi3123 YouTube/Richard Sellers/Pixar
But there may have been one person who wasn’t such a fan of the movie — nor the realization he had a cartoon doppelganger. A 19-year-old British kitchen porter posted a picture of himself on Reddit with the annoyed caption: “I work in a kitchen. You have no idea how many people say ‘You look like the guy from ratatouille’. Every damn minute.”
13. Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, Real-Life Pals
Perhaps the two characters most ill-suited to solving mysterious or potentially supernatural crimes, Scooby-Doo and his human buddy Shaggy are more interested in satisfying their munchies than actual detective work. Additionally, the two are usually terrified of whatever they’re investigating. They’re still beloved by audiences for their good nature and catchphrases like “Zoinks!” and “Ruh-roh!”

Reddit/ariellemonsters YouTube/WB Kids/Hanna-Barbera Productions
Turns out that Shaggy and Scooby-Doo have real-life doppelgangers as well. Reddit user ariellemonsters posted a photo with the caption, “My bf and dog are real life Shaggy and Scooby Doo.” When asked if they get scared too, she answered, “Oh, yeah. John (the dog) comes to me when he’s sleepy or scared, but only goes to my bf to play. It’s f***en bulls***!”
14. Raspberry…Turban?
Jafar’s accomplishments are numerous. He was adviser to the sultan, owner of a talking and incredibly intelligent parrot, and was eventually imbued with unlimited powers (although that did end up backfiring on him). One feat that arguably outshines the rest is his good looks, which bear a resemblance to his real-life counterpart, the late music virtuoso Prince.

YouTube/Cartoon Movies Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Prince, aka The Artist, The Kid, Joe Coco, Alexander Nevermind, or The Artist Finally Known as Prince, was one of the highest-selling musicians of all time. Bestowed with more awards than an elephant could probably carry on its back, Prince has an honored spot in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
15. Prince Charming and Prince (Somewhat) Charming
Okay, real talk though: who is who? On the one hand we have Shrek’s Prince Charming, who sometimes just goes by the informal Charming, as well he may. Though dashingly handsome, he is also mean, manipulative, and completely self-absorbed. His only goal is to become king of the land of Far Far Away.

YouTube/ascentaur/HBO/YouTube/BadLipReading/DreamWorks
On the other hand there’s Game of Thrones’ Jaime Lannister. While not technically a prince, his birth into one of the wealthiest families in Westeros and his proximity to the rulers of King’s Landing make him practically royalty. While cruel and selfish at times, he, like Prince Charming, is blond and handsome. See what we’re getting at?
NEXT: Does art imitate life? For these cartoon doppelgangers, it might just be the other way around!
16. Red, Brave, Real
Brave was Pixar’s first time having a female protagonist starring in one of its movies. Though she’s a skilled archer, medieval Scottish princess Merida yearns to create her own destiny rather than follow what is expected of her by her parents and society. Merida was applauded for not being “just another princess,” and having an interesting character arc that doesn’t revolve around finding love.

instagram/lilycole YouYube/Movieclips Coming Soon/Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios
Lily Cole has an impressive résumé too. She’s an actress (having recently played the role of Lovey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and was listed by Vogue Paris as being one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. Perhaps having the privilege of possessing her own cartoon doppelganger and looking like Merida is just the icing on the cake.
17. Thank Goodness Kristoff Is Real
One of the most subscribed to channels on YouTube, Logan Paul is known for his charismatic and often outlandish behavior, which he uploads to “TheOfficialLoganPaul.” Paul cuts a striking figure, recognizable for his blond hair, blue eyes, and broad shoulders — characteristics similar to everyone’s favorite Pixar iceman.

David Livingston/Getty Images IMDb/Disney
Unlike Paul, who thrives being in the spotlight, Frozen’s Kristoff lives in a remote mountain region with his reindeer companion, Sven. But personalities aside, it looks as though it was a definite possibility that this mountain man was based on the YouTube sensation. After all, it couldn’t be the other way around…could it?
18. Riddle Me This!
A brilliant computer software designer, the Riddler counters Batman’s physical prowess by playing a different game. His tactics require wits and mental capability rather than punching and kicking. After watching the Riddler confuse Batman on the animated series, many fans had one person in mind for playing the live action Riddler: his real-life doppelganger, Neil Patrick Harris.

John Shearer/WireImage YouTube/Happy Flame Attronach
The push to make Harris the Riddler is so strong that supporters of the idea opened an online petition on change.org to put the How I Met Your Mother star in the DC universe. According to the change.org post, Harris himself has expressed interest in the idea, already having gotten used to playing villains through A Series of Unfortunate Events.
19. Miley Cyrus’ Reminiscent Haircut
It may not be the nicest comparison, but the similarity is arguably there. Miley Cyrus’ blonde spiky hair and red lipstick definitely reminded fans of a beloved cartoon character that many people born in the late ’80s and early ’90s had grown up watching on Rugrats. No, not a main character; rather, the ‘do seemed like a callback to bully Angelica’s doll, Cynthia.

Jennifer Graylock/FilmMagic YouTube/NickRewind
In the popular Nickelodeon series, Cynthia is Angelica’s favorite doll who she takes with her everywhere and who, when she loses it, puts her in a state of panic. Not to poke fun at the world famous pop star, but Cynthia’s wild hairstyle was purposefully made a little odd in order to suggest that the toddler Angelica was the stylist.
20. We Can’t Let This One Go
There’s no doubt that many people claim to be the doppelgangers of characters from our favorite films. But one woman arguably stands out above all the rest. Back in 2014, that woman was 18-year-old Anna Faith. After posting a photo of herself on her Instagram, she immediately drew heaps of attention to herself for looking like the spitting image of the Pixar princess.

Instagram/annafaith
Turns out that posting that photo was one of the best things Anna could’ve done for herself. She had been working as an actress in model in Florida, but after the photo’s success, she began working as an Elsa lookalike at kids’ birthday parties and elementary schools.
NEXT: Think that was wild? These next cartoon doppelgangers are more than a little unexpected.
21. Flanders’ Dark Side
The main protagonist of Breaking Bad and an elementary school teacher turned drug dealer, Walter White is, as creator Vince Gilligan put it, “the story of a man who goes from Mr. Chips to Scarface.” White’s coldly ruthless pragmatism made him the exact opposite of The Simpsons own cheery and pious Ned Flanders. Well, almost.

IMDb/AMC YouTube/Marge Simpson Cartoon
The one thing Bryan Cranston’s character shares with his cartoon doppelganger is definitely the looks. Sporting a bushy mustache along with glasses and brown hair, the two are clearly cut from the same cloth. Although, as Breaking Bad progresses, Walter’s look begins to change, and he truly does become the opposite of the compassionate (and annoying, according to Homer) Flanders.
22. Lea DeLaria, We Still Love You
It’s the glasses and the hairstyle, and nothing else, we swear. Lea DeLaria might look a little like Roz from Monsters Inc, but she is anything but in personality. While Roz is the serious and dour CDA administrator (later head of the organization), DeLaria’s mannerisms are completely different.

Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images YouTube/Jennifer Niyangoda/Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
Before starring as Carrie “Big Boo” Black on the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, DeLaria got her start entertaining as a stand up comedian. Her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show was the first time any openly gay comic had done a set on a late night talk show. It’s fair to say she and Roz are both no-nonsense leaders who are very comfortable with who they are.
23. Batman Or Catman?
Everyone knows the Caped Crusader superhero who flies through the night, pummeling criminals and keeping Gotham City from collapsing. Batman seems to take his bat persona very seriously; he has both a Batmobile and a Batcave, the latter of which he uses to confer with his friends and colleagues as he fights some of Gotham’s worst.

Reddit/hamsternose YouTube/Tim Geraci/Warner Bros.
But has anyone bothered to ask the question of whether that bat looks too much like…well, a cat? It’s possible. After all, cats and bats aren’t adversaries or anything, are they? Regardless, it’s safe to assume that this adorable feline, with his black and white fur in the shape of Batman’s mask, might be Bruce Wayne’s first choice for adoption.
24. The Actual Grandpa From Up
Considered one of Disney Pixar’s best films, Up was the first animated film to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture since 1991’s Beauty and the Beast. That was only one of five nominations that the movie got, and it’s not hard to see why. If you didn’t cry during that opening sequence, you might need to check your pulse to make sure your heart is still beating.

Imgur-Z3F
The movie culminated with Grandpa Carl’s adventure to Paradise Falls, which he does by attaching a myriad of balloons to his house. Audiences fell in love with the character, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to find out that he exists in real life too!
25. Two Toothless, Too Adorable
While watching Viking teenager Hiccup flying on the back of his green-eyed black dragon friend, one word may have come to mind: jealousy. Who wouldn’t want to be soaring through the air on the back of an enormous and friendly dragon, especially one as adorable as Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon?

IMDb/Pixar/Imgur/timb1r
Though this Toothless doppelganger may not be big enough to ride, and he doesn’t seem like he can fly anyways, does he ever look adorable! With those big green eyes poking up just over his tail, he definitely strikes a resemblance to the animated dragon. They might not be so different either. Training a dragon is hard, but have you ever tried to train a cat?
Sources: Change.org, Observer, Uproxx
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