Any amusing experiences as a teen idol?
I was actually sitting in Tommy’s Pizza last week when two girls came up to me and asked for my autograph! I started saying that I wasn’t actually Ryan Phillipe, but my friend is more quickwitted than that and quickly jumped in and said “Yes, ladies, this IS Ryan!” So I gave them “my” autograph on a napkin even though I don’t know how to spell his name. The girls didn’t care—they were shouting and screaming too much. People tell me I look like Justin Timberlake every two days, as well. I have even attracted attention as Ryan in Warsaw and Turkey! I look on it as an advertisement for me, so I’m grateful for it.
Is the resemblance more than skin-deep?
I’ve seen Ryan Phillipe in Cruel Intentions and I would definitely like to be like him. I’m probably too nice, but I do like going wild and playing round every once in a while, like his character.
Do you actively play up to your lookalike status?
It’s not a conscious thing. I’m actually Polish and Dutch, so I find that as a European, I tend to stand out anyway. We do dress differently to Americans—I look a bit more formal and club-influenced.
Adam V. Kline ’02— Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder)
You’re quite convincing. Is it an effortless resemblance?
I admit that I base my hairstyle decisions entirely on the need to look like Willy Wonka. In freshman year, I had short hair and it was all about Larry Bird. But when my roommate woke me up one day with “but Daddy, I want an oompa loompa now!” I was pumped and knew instantly that this was my destiny.
Have you found that looking like Willy Wonka has changed your life?
Yes, it’s opened so many doors for me. For example, it’s always handy to have an army of little oompa loompas at my beck and call 24/7. In junior year, our prom theme was based around my resemblance—Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Do you share qualities with Willy Wonka other than a penchant for chocolate?
Absolutely! I have a truly strong sense of morality and cherish a love of boats powered by midgets.
Meagan M. Marks ‘05—Cameron Diaz
What’s it like looking like the most desirable woman in Hollywood?
I don’t see the resemblance! I love Cameron Diaz, I think she’s a great actress and if I had to pick someone to look like, it would be her.
Do you see yourself as a potential Charlie’s Angel?
I do like playing the detective, and being in the middle of the action. I definitely identify with Cameron’s boyish streak.
OK, so where do the similarities end?
The femme fatale thing totally alludes me. Cameron Diaz always seems to have boys following her—it’s not always like that for me! Also, she’s six feet tall, and I most definitely am not.
Michael F. Gensheimer ’05—Jude Law
How does it feel to look remarkably like the hippest British actor in Hollywood?
To be honest, I hadn’t even heard of the guy until I came to Harvard and all the girls in my entryway started telling me how much I looked like him. One thing I thought about doing would be to take over his life like in Being John Malkovich....just as an amusing exercise. It is also a bit scary, though, because he has a kid, and I don’t have any children—that I know of, anyway.
Do you cultivate the Jude look?
I’ve been renting his movies and looking around the Internet for information about him. But I’m not going to try to look like him, because I need my own image for when I become a movie star myself.
Is your family proud?
My mom had never heard of him, either, but she went to some web sites about him and told me he has been described as an Adonis figure, which she was pretty happy about. She’s now wondering whether I’ll become the resident heartthrob of Hol worthy.
Adam D. Hayner ’04—Brian, the Backstreet Boys
How would you feel about joining the Boys on stage?
I believe I was born to be in a boy band! I’ve got the bleached hair, the dance moves, and the attitude. It’s not my favorite music, but given half the chance I would not hesitate. They look like they’re having a great time, and can do whatever they want.
Have you modeled your appearance on Brian?
I always play up to the image. I dress up and sing like him, but that generally requires alcohol. In high school, I stole the show as Brian in a fundraising concert. I can’t sing, but I can lipsynch and dance so I can definitely be a convincing Backstreet Boy if I want to be.
Peter N Danner ’03—Matt Damon
Were you aware of your resemblance prior to the article?
A couple of people have told me that before, but they have also said I look like Harrison Ford and Leonardo di Caprio—so who knows? I don’t think I look like any of them, personally. I look on it only as a nice compliment, even though I am definitely quite different to him.
Are there any similarities between the two of you?
The only similarity between me and Matt Damon is that we both live, or have lived, in Boston. I’m definitely a bit more comfortable with myself than his character in Good Will Hunting—I mean, he has troubles with his girlfriend, and he is also a lot smarter than me!
