The Greatest Showman, a musical biopic about P.T. Barnum—an early trustee and benefactor of Tufts University—opens Christmas Day. To celebrate the release, here’s a look back at some of the actors who’ve donned a top hat to play the charismatic circus impresario through the years.
Top row, from left to right: Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman (2017); Roger Ashton-Griffiths in Gangs of New York (2002). Middle row, from left to right: Burt Lancaster in Barnum, a made-for-TV movie (1986); Burl Ives in Those Fantastic Flying Fools (1967). Bottom row: Wallace Beery in A Lady’s Morals (1930) and The Mighty Barnum (1934).
