Actors Who Have Played JFK

by Helen Earnshaw | 18 November 2013

Cliff Robertson in PT 109

President John F. Kennedy is still a figure of great interest and has been played on big and small screen many times over the years.

This week sees the release of Parkland, a movie that looks at the aftermath of the assassination of JFK from a series of different angles.

Brett Stimely will take on the role of President Kennedy in this film, and we take a look at some of the actors who have played JFK over the years.

- Cliff Robertson - PT 109 (1963)

PT 109 was released back in 1963 and saw Cliff Robertson take on the role of John F. Kennedy. Directed by Leslie H. Martinson, the film was based on the novel of the same name by Robert J. Donovan.

While most JFK movies look at Kennedy's time in office, PT 109 focused on his career as an officer in the United States Navy in World War II. During the conflict he was in command of a Motor Torpedo Boat out in the Pacific.

Like most American war movies of the time it is a little one sided, but it is a film that does have its moments - not to mention it is a good performance from Robertson.

The movie was released just five months before Kennedy was assassinated and it was Kennedy himself who had the final say on who played him in the film.

- William Devane - The Missiles of October (1974)

William Devane took on the role of Kennedy in The Missiles of October - whieh was a movie about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The TV film was based on the book Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Robert Kennedy, and saw Anthony Page in the director's chair.

While The Missiles of October is a TV movie there is a documentary feel about it and that gives the film an edge of your seat feel.

It is a tense and rather dramatic watch as we are given an interesting perspective of this moment in history.

- Martin Sheen - Kennedy (1983)

Martin Sheen took on the role of Robert Kennedy in The Missiles of October, but play JFK in miniseries Kennedy nearly ten years later.

Sheen was joined on the cast list by John Shaem, Blair Brown and E.G. Marshall, while Jim Goddard was in the director's chair.

The series followed JFK from the moment he became President to his assassination - looking at his private life as well as his life in office.

Sheen has always been a fine actor and he really did get under this skin of this character and bring him to life on screen.

- Bruce Greenwood - Thirteen Days (2000)

In 2000 another film about the Cuban Missile Crisis hit the big screen with Bruce Greenwood playing President Kennedy.

The movie was inspired by the book he Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis by Ernest May and Philip Zelikow and was directed by Roger Donaldson.

Even though we all know the outcome of Cuban Missile Crisis, that doesn't stop Thirteen Days from being a really thrilling ride.

Thirteen Days really does bring a fascinating moment in world history to life, as well as being a great character study of all of the major players.

Thirteen Days is a movie that really will sweep you along as it is incredibly engaging from start to finish.

- James Marsden - The Butler (2013)

The most recent depiction of JFK comes in The Butler, as James Marsden takes on the role.

The Butler follows the story of Cecil Gaines, a butler at the White House who serves a series of Presidents during his time.

The move is based on the life of Eugene Allen who served eight Presidents during his time as a butler.

Marsden takes on the role of Kennedy in a period of American history where there is social unrest. He delivers the Civil Rights Act of 1962 just months before he is assassinated.

The Butler is a fantastic ensemble piece that really does take a look at the recent history of America and the turbulant time that the country has faced.