Austin Butler, Kurt Russell, Michael Shannon... Which actor played Elvis best?

Austin Butler - Elvis - 2022
Austin Butler - Elvis - 2022
The best Elvis impersonators of Hollywood
Kurt Russell - Elvis - 1979
Kurt Russell - Forrest Gump - 1994
Michael Shannon - Elvis & Nixon - 2016
Michael St. Gerard - Great Balls of Fire! - 1989
Michael St. Gerard - Heart of Dixie - 1989
Michael St. Gerard - Elvis - 1990
Michael St. Gerard - Quantum Leap - 1993
Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Elvis - 2005
Val Kilmer - True Romance - 1993
Harvey Keitel - Finding Graceland - 1998
Tyler Hilton - Walk the Line - 2005
Bruce Campbell - Bubba Ho-Tep - 2002
David Keith - Heartbreak Hotel - 1988
Don Johnson - Elvis and the Beauty Queen - 1981
Dale Midkiff - Elvis and Me - 1988
Austin Butler - Elvis - 2022

Austin Butler plays Elvis in the 2022 biopic by Baz Luhrmann, simply titled 'Elvis.' He has already won quite a few awards for his role, including the Golden Globe. 

Austin Butler - Elvis - 2022

Critics say that Austin Butler, a previously relatively unknown actor, could win the Oscar for this role.

The best Elvis impersonators of Hollywood

Over the years, great actors have portrayed Elvis Presley, The King of Rock and Roll on the big screen. Who do you think was the best? Let's have a look at the other Elvises in the following slides.

(Photo: Michael Shannon as 1970s Elvis)

Kurt Russell - Elvis - 1979

This is an Elvis many people will remember. In 1979, he played The King of Rock & Roll in a limited series, 'Elvis,' and received an Emmy Award nomination for this performance.

Kurt Russell - Forrest Gump - 1994

In the movie 'Forrest Gump,' Kurt Russell returned to play the voice of Elvis.

Michael Shannon - Elvis & Nixon - 2016

The film is about the 1970 White House meeting between President Nixon (Kevin Spacey) and Elvis.

Michael St. Gerard - Great Balls of Fire! - 1989

Here we have an Elvis veteran. Michael St. Gerard played Elvis four times in the 80s and 90s. The first time was a secondary role in the biopic of Jerry Lee Lewis.

(Image: Capital Cities / ABC)

Michael St. Gerard - Heart of Dixie - 1989

In 'Heart of Dixie,' he had a small part as Elvis. It would lead up to a much greater performance (depicted here) as the lead actor in the ABC series 'Elvis.'

Michael St. Gerard - Elvis - 1990

In this TV series about the life of the King, he became best known as the Elvis of the 90s.

(Image: ABC)

Michael St. Gerard - Quantum Leap - 1993

In 1993, Dr. Sam Beckett (photo) of the famous time-traveling drama 'Quantum Leap' visits the year 1954. He meets the King before he was the King, and the actor who played him was... Michael St. Gerard.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Elvis - 2005

Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays the King in the 2000s. The limited series 'Elvis' follows the singer throughout his life, from humble beginnings to his decadent lifestyle in Graceland and Las Vegas. 

Val Kilmer - True Romance - 1993

A memorable movie about newlyweds on the run from the mob, and yes, Val Kilmer plays Elvis.

Harvey Keitel - Finding Graceland - 1998

In this film, Harvey Keitel plays a hitchhiker who claims to be the late Elvis.

Tyler Hilton - Walk the Line - 2005

In this biopic about Johnny Cash, Tyler Hilton plays a young Elvis Presley in the 50s.

Bruce Campbell - Bubba Ho-Tep - 2002

The most curious Elvis you will find in this list. A horror movie with a black JFK, an Egyptian soul-sucking mummy, and an Elvis in an elderly residence. Well, it has it all.

David Keith - Heartbreak Hotel - 1988

In 'Heartbreak Hotel,' a teenager kidnaps Elvis to meet his mother, who is his biggest fan.

Don Johnson - Elvis and the Beauty Queen - 1981

We see the life of Elvis (Don Johnson) at the time when he was in a relationship with Linda Thompson. That is, after his divorce from Priscilla Presley, and shortly before he passed away.

Dale Midkiff - Elvis and Me - 1988

Priscilla Presley tells the story of her relationship with The King of Rock & Roll. Elvis is played by Dale Midkiff.