Many movies are based on a world that only exists on-screen. In worlds filled with magical beings and fairytale endings, viewers are allowed to escape many of the realities of life while a fictional hero saves the day. However, there are also countless stories based so deeply in the truth that they could not have existed without contributions from real life people. These real life heroes have made contributions to the world that have been immortalized in film.  Unfortunately, many of these people died long before their stories could be shared with the world, but what they stood for has been passed on from generation to generation . Here are 10 real life heroes who were portrayed in movies.

Erin Brockovich – Erin Brockovich

Legal clerk Erin Brockovich was portrayed by Julia Roberts in the 2000 film Erin Brockovich.  Although Brockovich does not have a formal law school education, her intelligence and hard work were instrumental in the 1993 case against California’s Pacific Gas and Electric Company.  Brokovich’s research helped uncover that the company had been dispensing contaminated water.

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Harvey Milk – Milk

Harvey Milk was the first openly gas person to be elected as a public officer.  In 2008, his story was made into a biopic starring Sean Penn in the title role. Throughout his life, Milk worked tirelessly as an activist who fought for equal treatment for LGBT people all around the country.  Sadly, Milk was assassinated in  1978 by Dan White, former San Francisco city hall supervisor.

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William Wallace – Braveheart

Although William Wallace lived and died long before the present time, his memory continues thrive.  In 1995, a film, Braveheart, was released retelling the major events in his life.  Starring award-winning actor, Mel Gibson, Braveheart was based on the poem, The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace by Blind Harry. Although Braveheart won several awards including five Academy Awards, one of which was for Best Picture, many criticized the film for its historical inaccuracies.

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Oskar Schindler – Schindler’s List

Oscar Schindler will forever be remembered as a man who, despite being a member of the Nazi Party,  saved more than 1,000 Jewish lives during the Holocaust.  Schindler’s lifesaving work was depicted in the 1993 film Schindler’s List in which he was portrayed by Liam Neeson.  The film was shot in mostly black and white with only a few images in color to create emphasis.  The film received acclaim from both critics and viewers and took home seven Academy Awards, including the award for Best Picture.

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Paul Rusesabagina – Hotel Rwanda

Rwandan humanitarian and former hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina, was essential in providing safety and saving lives during the Rwandan Genocide. His heroic acts were retold in the 2004 film, Hotel Rwanda, starring Don Cheadle. Although the film received mostly positive reviews, others who were in Rwanda at the time have suggested that some of the events did not happen the way they have been portrayed. However, despite criticism, Rusesabagina continues to work hard in the fight for human rights.

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Audie Murphy – To Hell and Back

Audie Murphy was one of the most decorated American soldiers of all time.  Murphy, who fought in World War 2, earned a Medal of Honor at just 19 years-old. Time and time again, Murphy was applauded for his bravery and fearlessness during combat.  After the war, Murphy became a celebrity and even had a film career of his own.  In 1955, he played him self in the autobiographical film, To Hell and Back, which was based on Murphy’s book of the same name.

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Louis Zamperini – Unbroken

Louis Zamperini was an American Prisoner of War during World War 2 and an Olympic runner. Zamperini’s wartime life was documented in the 2014 film, Unbroken, in which he was portrayed by Jack O’Connell. The film was directed by award-winning actress, Angelina Jolie, who, along with Unbroken,  was asked to be banned from the country of Japan because of her portrayal of the Japanese army during the war.

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Abraham Lincoln – Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is considered by many as the greater United States president of all-time.  Lincoln, whose life was cut short by an assassin’s bullet, was responsible for many of the nation’s greatest moments, including helping to pass the Thirteenth Amendment.  The 2012 film, Lincoln, focuses on the final four months of Lincoln’s life. Lincoln received critical acclaim from all over the world. Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrayed Lincoln in the film, won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film.

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Mahatma Ghandi – Ghandi

Mahatma Ghandi is considered one of the greatest peaceful protesters in the history of the world. Much of his life’s work was depicted in the 1982 film, Ghandi, which starred Ben Kingsley.  The film went on to earn critical acclaim and also took home eight Academy Awards, including the award for Best Picture.

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Martin Luther King Jr. – Selma

Legendary Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., has been portrayed in many on-screen productions throughout the year.  However, it wasn’t until 2014’s Selma, that King was brought to life and used as a main character.  The film, which focused on King’s work to orchestrate a march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama.  Selma was both a commercial and critical success; however, some felt that the film took too many liberties when it came to King’s personal life.

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