Entertainment
Ben Savage Will Play Young Mandy Patinkin in 'Criminal Minds' & 17 Stars Who Played The Same Character at Different Ages
Ben Savage has just been cast as a young version of Many Patinkin's character Jason Gideon in the CBS drama Criminal Minds, according to TV Guide. And yes, in case you were wondering his big brother Fred Savage did co-star with Patinkin in The Princes Bride many, many moons ago and the pop culture universe is folding in on itself. The episode starring Savage will be a series of flashbacks to the 1970s, which showrunner Erica Messer described as, " [A] love letter to fans."
The backstory will show how Gideon and David Rossi (Joe Mantengna) got their start in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), a subdivision of the FBI. Messer continued, "I've wanted to go back to how the BAU all started and now being in Season 10, it feels like it's time[.]" Though Patinkin left the show in Season 3, this flashback episode is also an opportunity to revisit the character of Gideon.
Ben Savage and Mandy Patinkin are among many actors who have played past and future versions of the same character. Let's take a look at some of Hollywood's most famous flashbacks. Enjoy.
Mandy Patinkin
What young face could fill such a beard of prominence?
Ben Savage
This guy! I’m definitely looking forward to his big 70s hair and tacky leisure suits.
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis starred in sci-fi thriller Looper with an equally famous younger half.
Image: DMG Entertainment
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
With the help of some prosthetics and special effects, of course.
Image: DMG Entertainment
Demi Moore
She was the “Now” version of Samantha in Now and Then.
Image: New Line Cinema
Gaby Hoffmann
While she was the “Then.”
Image: New Line Cinema
Robin Wright
The radiant House of Cards actress started as the apple of Tom Hanks’ eye as Jenny in Forrest Gump.
Image: Paramount Pictures
Hannah Hall
She played the younger Jenny who famously shouted, “Run Forrest, run!”
Image: Paramount Pictures
Tom Hanks
Hanks sure has a knack for playing parts who are explored at different ages on screen, though perhaps not quite so famously as he did in Big. He perfectly portrayed a young man trying to navigate the complicated world and bodies of adulthood.
Image: 20th Century Fox
David Moscow
If it wasn’t for Young Josh we would have never met Big Josh.
Image: 20th Century Fox
Wil Wheaton
There are coming of age stories and then there is Stand by Me. Wheaton starred as the young, damaged and heartbreaking Gordie Lachance who goes on a journey with his three friends to find a dead body.
Image: Columbia Pictures
Richard Dreyfuss
Dreyfuss was “The Writer” or the voice of the story, who was the tender Gordie.
Matthew McConaughey
When you star in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past…
Image: New Line Cinema
Logan Miller
…you’ve got to have a past. Miller played the young ladies’ man Connor Mead.
Image: New Line Cinema
Alice Eve
When the agents of 1969 travel back to 1969, they meet the young Agent O, played by Eve.
Image: Columbia Pictures
Emma Thompson
Agent O of 2012, quite the resemblance!
Image: Columbia Pictures
Zac Effron
The young stud of 17 Again.
Image: New Line Cinema
Matthew Perry
And his older, more grumpy self.
Image: New Line Cinema
Christa Allen
If you haven’t seen 13 Going on 30, do yourself a favor and watch it and prepare to be utterly delighted. The young Jenna Rink is just as charming as her older self.
Image: Columbia Tristar
Jennifer Garner
And the pair is spot on!
Image: Columbia Tristar
Kate Winslet
She started as Rose DeWitt Bukater.
Image: 20th Century Fox
Gloria Stuart
And she became Rose Dawson.
Image: 20th Century Fox
Sarah Jessica Parker
Carrie Bradshaw: The Sex and the City Years.
Image: HBO
AnnaSophia Robb
Carrie Bradshaw: The Carrie Diaries Years.
Image: The CW
Angelina Jolie
Jolie starred as the famous model Gia Carangi in a TV movie about her meteoric career and tragic personal life.
Image: HBO Pictures
Mila Kunis
Kunis played the young Gia and in case you never noticed… Angelina Jolie and Mila Kunis totally look alike!
Image: HBO Pictures
Reese Witherspoon
Even if you aren’t big on rom coms, it’s hard not to have a soft spot for Sweet Home Alabama.
Image: Touchstone Pictures
Dakota Fanning
Especially with the endearing younger Melanie Smooter. Reese AND an 8-year-old Dakota as the same character…it’s almost too apple pie.
Image: Touchstone Pictures
Kelly Rutherford
You need quite the pistol to play a young Lily van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl.
Image: The CW
Brittany Snow
So it’s a good thing producers called in the excellent Brittany Snow.
Image: The CW
Ryan Gosling
I may have hated The Notebook (so sue me!)…but I still loved Gosling as Noah.
Image: New Line Cinema
James Garner
And Garner played the version that made everyone cry. They’re both quite suave, if you ask me.
Image: New Line Cinema
Britney Spears
Now if you were to cast a young version of Britney Spears as Lucy Wagner in 2002’s Crossroads…
Image: Fuzzy Bunny Films
Jamie Lynn Spears
…You’d probably go with the actual young version of Britney. Her little sister Jamie Lynn played Lucy Wagner as a child.
