Actors Who Have Played Nikola Tesla, From David Bowie to

Ethan Hawke’s “Tesla” hits theaters this Friday — let’s check out the opposite TV and movie actors who’ve portrayed Nikola Tesla, the famed inventor who’s greatest identified for his contributions to the design of the alternating present electrical energy system.

Amazon

Petar Božović, “The Secret of Nikola Tesla” (1980) 
This 1980 movie was directed by Krsto Papić and stars Petar Božović within the titular position.

Buena Vista

David Bowie, “The Prestige” (2006) 
The late David Bowie performed the inventor in Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige,” which additionally starred Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Scarlett Johansson. 

Comedy Central

John C. Reilly, “Drunk History” (2010) 
John C. Reilly portrayed Nikola Tesla within the Comedy Central collection “Drunk History. The episode aired in 2010 and starred Crispin Glover as Thomas Edison. 

CBC

Dmitry Chepovetsk, “Murdoch Mysteries” (2010)  
In a 2010 episode of the long-running Canadian thriller collection set in 1890s Toronto, Det. William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) enlists the famed scientist to assist monitor down a primitive microwave to assist resolve a homicide. Tesla was performed by Ukrainian-born actor Dmitry Chepovetsk (“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”).

Amazon

Paul O’Neill, “Nikola Tesla and the End of the World” (2015-19) 
This award-winning internet collection starred Paul O’Neill as Tesla alongside Gillian MacGregor. The first season aired in 2015, with the second season airing in 2019.

101 Studios

Nicholas Hoult, “The Current War” (2017) 
Hoult performed Tesla in Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s historic drama, which chronicled the competitors between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over which electrical energy supply system can be utilized in America. Michael Shannon, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland additionally starred. 

National Film Board of Canada

Robert Vilar, “The Tesla World Light” (2017) 
This 8-minute quick movie imagines the latter days of Tesla, performed by Robert Vilar. It’s a black and white avant-garde movie by Montreal director Matthew Rankin.

BBC America

Goran Višnjić, “Doctor Who” (2020)
Višnjić performed Tesla within the 12th collection of “Doctor Who,” showing within the fourth episode titled “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror,” which aired in January 2020.

IFC Films

Ethan Hawke, “Tesla” (2020) 
Ethan Hawke stars as Nikola Tesla in a 2020 biopic directed by Michael Almereyda.  The movie premiered on the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by IFC Films.