11 actors who played JFK on TV, ranked from best to worst

John F. Kennedy became an instant icon when he became president in 1961, thanks to his good looks, youthfulness, and image-perfect family. He and wife Jackie were celebrated for heralding a glamorous new Camelot in the White House. And his assassination just two years later was a national tragedy.

He was many things: a political scion, Navy hero, patron of the arts, champion of civil rights, and a notorious womanizer. That’s made JFK a fascinating character to explore onscreen, and he’s been portrayed many times in film and television — most recently by Michael C. Hall on Season 2 of The Crown. His JFK visits Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy), although it’s Jackie who makes the bigger impression on the Brits. Click through this slideshow to see our ranking of 11 actors who played JFK on TV.

The Crown is streaming now on Netflix.