A
look-alike is a person who closely resembles another person. In popular Western culture, a look-alike is a person who bears a close physical resemblance to a
celebrity,
politician or member of
royalty. Many look-alikes earn a living by making guest appearances at public events or performing on television or film, playing the person they resemble. A large variety of celebrity look-alike images can be found throughout the web, including images placed by professional agencies that offer their services.
Look-alikes have also figured prominently at least since the 19th century in
literature, and in the 20th and 21st centuries in
film.