How the ‘Wizard of Lies’ Cast Compares to the Real Bernie Madoff and Family
The absorbing tale of fraudulent businessman Bernie Madoff comes to life in HBO’s The Wizard of Lies, which premieres Saturday at 8 p.m Based on the book of the same title by Diana B. Henriques, the movie delves into Madoff’s (Robert De Niro) fall, as his precarious Ponzi scheme crumbles and he is arrested for perpetrating the largest financial fraud in American history. His disgrace spreads to his wife, Ruth (Michelle Pfeiffer), and their two sons.
The story has been put on screen before, in last year’s ABC miniseries Madoff. Now, HBO takes its turn, and The Wizard of Lies is not so much a biopic but a psychological exploration of Madoff, Ruth, and their family. With big names like De Niro and Pfeiffer headlining the cast, the movie has already drawn a lot of attention. But how much do the cast members resemble their real-life counterparts? Click through our slideshow to see.
The Wizard of Lies premieres Saturday, May 20 at 8 p.m. on HBO.