10 Actors Who Could Play Dracula

It is quite a surprise that Johnny Depp, one of the most famous 'chameleon' Actors of our generation has not yet appeared as Dracula, or indeed any vampire at all. If Tim Burton were to ever do a Dracula adaption (come on, we all want it), Depp would be the perfect choice.

Guinness is possibly the best Dracula that never was. Menacing but charming (see The Ladykillers), Guinness appears enigmatic and with his looks, largely resembles the Dracula described in the novel.

The entire look is similar to that of the Count. Byrne, with his nose and eyes, would be an ideal Dracula. He could convincingly hit both the reserved and rage filled aspects of the Count's personality right on the head, too.

Fellow Universal actor Belá Lugosi played the first official Dracula in the first Horror film with sound in 1931. Lugosi was highly suited to the role. However, would Karloff have been much of a miss-step? I doubt it. With his distinct features and well built structure, Karloff would have made a menacing Dracula indeed.

With his every day normal guy looks, loveable yet probably able to appear sinister, Malden would have made a great Dracula. His physical appearance bears a resemblance of sorts to Bram Stoker's original depiction of the man, who is charming but not the tall and dark man who we have come to know.

In contrast to Malden, Reford suits the more sexually charged representation of Dracula. In his 70's heyday, Redford, with perhaps dyed black hair for the role, might have been an ideal Dracula.

The accent, the look, the charm. Waltz showed potential for the likeably hateable villain in Inglourious Basterds. Let him run wild with Dracula...I'd love to see the results.

As with Malden, Cazale wasn't blessed with Hollywood good looks but was far from ugly. Cazale would have suited the mysterious and quiet nature of Dracula, rather than the scenes of rage and violence, of which Stoker's novel has both. Although with his talent, I'm sure he could have been convincing as both ends of the personality spectrum.

Unlike Cazale, Cassavetes would have suited the angrier side to Dracula, as well as fitting the suave representation, with his dark features and foreign likeness.

The Dracula all the women would love to see. Clooney, with his sex appeal (I'm not gay but I can see what all the fuss is about), would be the perfect sophisticated Dracula. With his recent Oscar worthy turns, I reckon he would make a good job of it too.

Note: Based on the surge of comments disagreeing with this choice, I would like to extend my note. I do not believe Clooney would be an ideal scary Dracula, rather the typical charming version. However, based on his recent turns he has shown he is more than able to act; with a first class director and make up artist, I'm sure he could pull off 'creepy' too.

Nosferatu: Eine Symphonie Des Grauens 1922
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror

The first real Dracula, Schreck made Dracula (Orlock in the film) so grotesque, he is arguably the most frightening Dracula there has ever been.

Dracula 1931

The typical Dracula, Lugosi spearheaded the sophisticated Dracula image, appearing in the first official Dracula adaption, as well in the first horror film with sound. The accent, the look, everything was right, even if the Dracula in the novel was meant to be uglier.

Dracula 1958

a.k.a

Horror of Dracula

Lee appeared in the Hammer classic, which showed more bloodshed than ever before in a mainstream Dracula film. He is the most famous antithesis of the good looking Dracula, appearing in the film as the more hideous creature the novel described.

Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht 1979
Nosferatu: Phantom of the Night

a.k.a

Nosferatu the Vampyre

In Werner Herzog's update to F.W. Murnau's adaption, Kinski was the ideal Dracula, arguably even resembling his own personality. With his unique look, no doubt Kinski was chosen.

Bram Stoker's Dracula 1992

The best performance of the Count after Max Schreck and definitely the best official portrayal of the Vampire, Oldman, in the closest resemblence to the character of the novel shines in Coppola's 1992 adaption. Whilst I disliked the film, few can disagree that Oldman had charm in bucketloads. Due to his Chameleon credentials, Oldman became both the youthful Dracula and the repulsive older Dracula with the utmost believability.