Stunt Doubles: When Musicians Star in Biopics

Lil Mama isn't the first to play a fellow music star.

Stunt Doubles: When Musicians Star in Biopics - It takes one to know one. That may be casting philosophy behind the upcoming TLC biopic, which is currently in pre-production: It was recently announced that Lil Mama is slated to play the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. But Lil Mama isn't the first musician to play a fellow music star in a biopic or historical film. Read on to see other examples. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Stunt Doubles: When Musicians Star in Biopics - It takes one to know one. That may be casting philosophy behind the upcoming TLC biopic, which is currently in pre-production: It was recently announced that Lil Mama is slated to play the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. But Lil Mama isn't the first musician to play a fellow music star in a biopic or historical film. Read on to see other examples. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Selena (1997) - Responsible for skyrocketing Jennifer Lopez's acting career to what it is today, Selena proved celebrity biopics can be commercially lucrative if correctly and carefully cast. No actress would have been more ideal for fulfilling the role of the Tejano music star, and critics seemed to agree; Lopez earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture.(Photo: Q Productions)

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Jennifer Lopez in Selena - Jennifer Lopez's star turn in the title role of acclaimed 1997 film Selena, a look at the short but impactful life of the titular Mexican-American singing sensation, was a career breakthrough. (Photo: Warner Brothers Pictures)

Ray (2004) - Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx was adamant on proving to the world that he was much more than Hollywood's funny guy, and he was successful by making an impact in the Ray Charles biopic, Ray. Playing a blind musician with such infinite soul is not easy for any actor, but Foxx made it seem effortless and the Academy seemed to agree. His performance earned him the coveted Oscar for Best Actor.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

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Jamie Foxx in Ray - Singer/actor/comedian/you-know-name-it Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his spot-on portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic Ray. (Photo: Universal Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Universal Pictures

Cadillac Records (2008)  - In this film based on the story of Chess Records, Beyoncé continued her streak of heavy-hitting film roles. Here, she tackled a portrayal of heroin-addicted R&B pioneer Etta James. (Photo: Courtesy Sony Music Film)

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Beyoncé in Cadillac Records - Beyoncé played fellow full-voiced, dyed-blonde soul sensation Etta James in 2008's Cadillac Records. (Photo: Sony Pictures)

Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues - The pressure was on for superstar Diana Ross when she made her long-anticipated feature film debut in this biopic about jazz great Billie Holliday. But the singer far exceeded expecations, earning herself an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for the role.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues - Diana Ross brought Lady Day to life in the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues, loosely based on jazz legend Billie Holiday's 1956 autobiography of the same name. (Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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Gravy in Notorious - Brooklyn rapper Gravy was an easy casting choice as The Notorious B.I.G. in the 2009 biopic Notorious. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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Gravy in Notorious - Brooklyn rapper Gravy was an easy casting choice as The Notorious B.I.G. in the 2009 biopic Notorious. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Earlier this year, fans witnessed Andre 3000 breathe life into the story of talented guitarist James Marshall, who would soon become Jimi Hendrix. The hip hop artist did his thing on this one, managing to convey the soul of Jimi's music despite not being able to cover or use any of his greatest hits. If this isn't a testament of Andre's great skills, we don't know what is.(Photo: WENN.com)

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Andre 3000 in All Is by My Side - Andre 3000 will play fellow iconoclast Jimi Hendrix in the forthcoming, long-in-the-making All Is by My Side, due in theaters later this year.  (Photo:  WENN.com)

Antonique Smith in Notorious - Singer/actress Antonique Smith, who's working on her first album, is a ringer for Biggie's wife, singer Faith Evans, in Notorious. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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Antonique Smith in Notorious - Singer/actress Antonique Smith, who's working on her first album, is a ringer for Biggie's wife, singer Faith Evans, in Notorious. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Terrence Howard in Upcoming Marvin Gaye Biopic - Terrence Howard, who released a soul album, Shine Through It, in 2008, was rumored to be cast as Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic, but newer reports say Lenny Kravitz is slated for the role. (Photos from left: Detroit Free Press/MCT /Landov, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Terrence Howard in Upcoming Marvin Gaye Biopic - Terrence Howard, who released a soul album, Shine Through It, in 2008, was rumored to be cast as Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic, but newer reports say Lenny Kravitz is slated for the role. (Photos from left: Detroit Free Press/MCT /Landov, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Mos Def in Cadillac Records - Rapper Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, portrayed rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry in Cadillac Records. (Photo: Sony Pictures)

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Mos Def in Cadillac Records - Rapper Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, portrayed rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry in Cadillac Records. (Photo: Sony Pictures)

Lil Kim in Notorious - Considered one of her knockout roles, Naughton channeled the Brooklyn rap icon's girlfriend (and legend in her own right) in this celebrated biopic.  (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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Naturi Naughton in Notorious - Naturi Naughton, formerly of teen trio 3LW, put it all out there in her portrayal of Lil Kim in Notorious.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)