12 Actors Who Portrayed Jesus Christ Through the Years

12 Actors Who Portrayed Jesus Christ Through the Years

Throughout cinema history, portraying Jesus Christ has been one of the most challenging and revered roles an actor can take on. From epic biblical dramas to modern retellings, each performance brings a unique interpretation to one of history’s most influential figures.

These twelve remarkable actors have left their mark by bringing the story of Jesus to life on screen, capturing audiences worldwide with their powerful portrayals.

1. Jeffrey Hunter — King of Kings (1961)

Jeffrey Hunter brought Hollywood glamour to the role of Jesus in this sweeping 1961 epic directed by Nicholas Ray.

His striking blue eyes became iconic, earning him the nickname “I Was a Teenage Jesus” among critics who felt his youthful appearance was almost too beautiful for the part.

Hunter approached the character with sincerity and grace, delivering a performance that balanced strength with compassion.

The film itself was a massive production, featuring elaborate sets and thousands of extras recreating ancient Jerusalem.

Hunter’s portrayal emphasized Jesus as a revolutionary leader challenging Roman authority.

His performance helped establish many visual conventions for how Jesus would appear in later films, influencing generations of biblical cinema to come.

2. Enrique Irazoqui — The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)

Pier Paolo Pasolini made an unconventional choice when he cast Spanish economics student Enrique Irazoqui in his stark, neorealist interpretation of Matthew’s gospel.

Irazoqui wasn’t a professional actor, which gave his performance an authentic, unpolished quality that perfectly matched Pasolini’s documentary-style approach.

His Jesus was intense, passionate, and sometimes angry—a far cry from the serene depictions audiences had seen before.

Shot in black and white across rural Italian villages, the film stripped away Hollywood spectacle.

Irazoqui’s piercing gaze and natural mannerisms created a revolutionary figure who felt genuinely human.

Despite never acting again after this role, his portrayal remains one of the most critically acclaimed Jesus performances in cinema history.

3. Max von Sydow — The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

Swedish acting legend Max von Sydow was already known for his collaborations with Ingmar Bergman when director George Stevens cast him as Jesus in this star-studded biblical epic.

At six feet four inches tall, von Sydow brought an imposing physical presence to the role, combined with a voice that carried both authority and tenderness.

His Nordic features challenged traditional depictions, reminding audiences that Jesus could be imagined in many ways.

The film featured an all-star cast including Charlton Heston, Sidney Poitier, and John Wayne in supporting roles.

Von Sydow’s performance emphasized Jesus’s divine nature and philosophical wisdom.

Though the film received mixed reviews for its length and pacing, his dignified portrayal earned widespread respect and remains memorable decades later.

4. Ted Neeley — Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Rock opera meets biblical drama in this electrifying adaptation where Ted Neeley delivered a performance that defined a generation’s view of Jesus.

His powerful tenor voice soared through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic score, particularly in the anguished “Gethsemane” sequence.

Neeley wasn’t just acting—he was living every moment, bringing raw emotion and vulnerability to a character struggling with his destiny.

Filmed on location in the Israeli desert, the production featured contemporary costumes and psychedelic visuals that made the ancient story feel immediate and relevant.

Neeley’s Jesus was fully human, questioning, doubting, and ultimately accepting his fate.

He became so identified with the role that he continued performing it in stage productions well into his seventies, introducing the character to new audiences for decades.

5. Robert Powell — Jesus of Nazareth (1977)

Director Franco Zeffirelli’s television miniseries gave Robert Powell the opportunity to create perhaps the most iconic visual interpretation of Jesus ever filmed.

His piercing blue eyes, which he kept fixed on the camera to create an unsettling direct gaze, became legendary.

Powell rarely blinked during filming, creating an otherworldly presence that suggested both divinity and deep compassion.

The six-hour miniseries allowed for unprecedented depth in storytelling, covering Jesus’s entire life from birth to resurrection.

Powell’s performance balanced serenity with moments of righteous anger, particularly during the temple cleansing scene.

His gentle voice and calm demeanor influenced countless later portrayals.

For many viewers worldwide, Powell’s face became the definitive image of Jesus, a testament to his powerful and memorable performance.

6. Brian Deacon — Jesus (1979)

Brian Deacon starred in what would become one of the most widely viewed Jesus films in history, though few people know his name.

The film “Jesus,” produced by Campus Crusade for Christ, follows the Gospel of Luke almost word-for-word.

Deacon’s straightforward, earnest performance prioritized accessibility and clarity over artistic interpretation, making the story understandable to audiences of all backgrounds and education levels.

What makes this portrayal unique is its global reach—the film has been translated into over 1,800 languages and shown to billions of people worldwide as an evangelistic tool.

Deacon’s warm smile and approachable demeanor made Jesus feel like a friend and teacher.

While critics might call it simple, this simplicity was intentional, creating a portrayal that transcends cultural boundaries and continues reaching new audiences today.

7. Willem Dafoe — The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

Controversy erupted when Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’s novel hit theaters, but Willem Dafoe’s performance was universally praised even by critics of the film.

He portrayed Jesus as deeply human, filled with doubt, fear, and very real temptations.

Dafoe’s gaunt features and intense eyes conveyed a man wrestling with an impossible calling, making the divine sacrifice feel more profound because of his humanity.

The film explored what might have happened if Jesus had chosen an ordinary life instead of crucifixion.

Dafoe navigated this challenging material with remarkable sensitivity and courage.

His Jesus sweated, cried, and questioned God’s plan, creating one of cinema’s most psychologically complex portrayals.

Though controversial, this interpretation offered audiences a fresh perspective on faith, sacrifice, and the cost of fulfilling one’s purpose.

8. Christian Bale — Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999)

Christian Bale played Jesus Christ in the 1999 TV movie Mary, Mother of Jesus, a retelling of Jesus’ life largely from the perspective of his mother, Mary.

Bale’s portrayal emphasizes both the humanity and compassion of Jesus, showing him as a thoughtful and spiritually devoted figure.

The film focuses on his teachings, his moral and ethical struggles, and his close relationship with Mary, rather than sensationalizing miracles or dramatic events.

Through this lens, the story explores the challenges, faith, and sacrifices of Mary, offering an intimate and reflective depiction of Jesus’ life and mission.

9. Jeremy Sisto — Jesus (TV, 1999)

Jeremy Sisto brought a youthful energy and unexpected edge to this CBS television movie that reimagined Jesus for modern audiences.

Fresh from playing rebellious characters in shows like “Six Feet Under,” Sisto portrayed Jesus as a charismatic young leader who challenged authority with confidence and conviction.

His performance emphasized Jesus as a radical reformer rather than a passive martyr.

The production featured strong performances from supporting cast members including Jacqueline Bisset as Mary and Armin Mueller-Stahl as Joseph.

Sisto’s Jesus smiled frequently, joked with his disciples, and showed genuine anger at injustice.

This approachable interpretation made the character feel contemporary and relevant to younger viewers.

His muscular physicality also challenged traditional depictions, presenting Jesus as someone who had worked with his hands and possessed real physical strength from years of carpentry.

10. Jim Caviezel — The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Mel Gibson’s controversial and extraordinarily successful film subjected Jim Caviezel to one of the most physically demanding performances in cinema history.

Speaking entirely in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew, Caviezel endured hours of makeup to depict the brutal torture and crucifixion in graphic detail.

He was accidentally struck by the whip during filming, suffered hypothermia, and was even hit by lightning on set—yet he persevered to create an unforgettable portrayal.

The film focused almost entirely on Jesus’s final twelve hours, showing his suffering with unprecedented realism.

Caviezel’s performance transcended language barriers through pure physical and emotional expression.

His eyes conveyed forgiveness even amid unimaginable pain.

The film became one of the highest-grossing religious films ever made.

Caviezel’s commitment to the role was so complete that it affected his career afterward, with the actor saying he felt called to the part and forever changed by the experience.

11. Diogo Morgado — Son of God (2014)

Following the massive success of “The Bible” miniseries, Diogo Morgado reprised his role as Jesus in this theatrical film that expanded and recut his scenes for the big screen.

The film focused exclusively on Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection, allowing Morgado more screen time to develop the character.

His portrayal emphasized Jesus’s teachings and miracles, showing him as a compassionate teacher who attracted followers through love rather than fear.

The theatrical release featured enhanced visual effects and a tighter narrative structure than the miniseries.

Morgado’s performance highlighted Jesus’s humanity—his friendships, his moments of joy, and his sorrow over those who rejected his message.

The film performed well at the box office, proving there was still strong audience appetite for traditional biblical storytelling.

Morgado’s continued association with the role made him one of the most recognizable modern Jesus portrayals.

12. Selva Rasalingam — The Gospel of Matthew (2014)

British Tamil actor Selva Rasalingam brought a non-Western perspective to Jesus in this independent production that sought to emphasize the Middle Eastern roots of Christianity.

His darker skin tone and South Asian features challenged Hollywood’s traditional casting choices, reminding audiences that the historical Jesus would not have looked European.

The film was shot in Morocco with a diverse international cast, creating a more historically accurate visual representation.

Rasalingam’s interpretation stayed close to the biblical text while bringing cultural authenticity to the role.

His performance was understated and contemplative, focusing on Jesus’s words and teachings rather than spectacle.

The production had a modest budget but earned respect for its commitment to authenticity.

Rasalingam’s casting represented an important step toward more diverse and accurate portrayals of biblical figures, opening conversations about representation in religious cinema that continue today.