Brie Larson vs. Alison Brie
So one person’s first name is the other person’s last name. And the other names have that “li-son” sound. How can I not be confused? Doesn’t help that they’ve both been on the same show (Community). And that I’m more familiar with the roles where they played against type (Captain Marvel and G.L.O.W.).
Gillian Jacobs vs. Gillian Anderson
I have no reason to get these two mixed up. One’s an established television icon famous for a decade-long sci-fi series in the 90’s. The other’s a fresh face comedian known for a sitcom. I also get Allison Brie and Gillian Jacobs confused–they both played the “love interest” on Community. And then my brain keeps pulling out Gillian Anderson from the folder. Maybe it’s the common last names?
Olivia Munn vs. Olivia Wilde
I really don’t know how these two are different people. They both have long straight dark hair and similar bodies. Other than that, couldn’t pick them out of a lineup. Olivia Wilde has the spooky eyes and was in Tron: Legacy. And I know I’ve seen Olivia Munn in things, but I couldn’t tell you what.
Anna Kendrick vs. Anne Hathaway
As you can see, it’s the first names that trip me up. But they’re always worse when they look alike. Both of them are about the same height, have dark hair, do both comedy and drama, and gravitate toward musical roles. The only way I can tell them apart is that Anne Hathaway has bigger eyes and Anna Kendrick has more of what I call “mouse mouth”.
Keith David vs. Kevin Clash
These two couldn’t be more different. One plays tough baritone characters like in The Thing, Road House, and Goliath in Gargoyles. You’ve definitely heard him in something. The other is Elmo. But I’m more familiar with Kevin Clash after reading his name in the credits of any Jim Henson production I grew up with. Splinter in TMNT? Played by Kevin Clash. Baby Sinclaire in Dinosaurs? There’s Kevin Clash. And somehow Keith David flew under my radar, which meant I had no idea why they were making a big deal about him in Saints Row IV.
Amy Adams vs. Amy Acker
It’s the Battle of the Amy’s (Amies?). Amy Acker, I knew from Angel, which aired at the same time Amy Adams started coming up in her career, doing spotty parts in various movies, until Enchanted broke her out. At some point, I thought they were sisters (“oh, good for Winifred‘s sister getting movie roles while the other one has a stable job in TV”). As if first names are the family name. I must have got my wires crossed at some point. It didn’t help that Amy Adams was Tara’s cousin on Buffy. I’m just lucky I didn’t get her confused with Isla Fisher.
Ryan Reynolds vs. Ryan Gosling vs. Dax Shephard
Triple threat of hearthrobs. Two of them are Canadian. All three have the same build, same poofy hair, same lean face. The difference is Gosling looks like you can bring him home to Mom. Shepard looks like he’ll definitely sell you weed. And Reynolds would sell your mom weed.
Tom Hardy vs. Anyone
Everybody’s hunkalicious treat, but I can’t tell him from Adam. He’s been in a hundred movies, but I would never recognize him in one. Bane in The Dark Knight Rises is the same person as Max in Fury Road? Surely you jest.
Elizabeth Banks vs. Elisha Cuthbert
I don’t know why I get these two confused. I think The Girl Next Door and The Forty-Year-Old Virgin came out around the same time, they both deal with similar subjects (plus Banks made Zack & Miri Make a Porno a little later), and both of the “sexy women” are short-haired blondes. I’ve sure seen a lot more of Elizabeth Banks than Elisha Cuthbert though. Although not always so, ahem, recognizably.
Strangely, I can tell the difference between Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel easily. Useless skills for the win.
