On May 24th 2015, Nobel prize winner and game theory expert John Forbes Nash passed away at age 86. His tragic death had an outstanding media impact for 2 reasons: First, because of the dramatic circumstances of his death, and second, thanks to his mainstream notoriety acquired through the movie “A Beautiful Mind” that portrayed part of his life and his fight against mental-health challenges.

1. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A film that won 4 Academy Awards; one for Best Picture. From John Nash‘s perspective, ‘A Beautiful Mind‘ helped raise awareness about schizophrenia worldwide. (IMDB)

2. Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Sigourney Weaver plays the part of zoologist and ethologist Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to studying gorillas in the Virunga mountains (Rwanda). She also lead projects for the protection and conservation of primates. (IMDB).

3. Creation (2009)

Creation tells the inner struggle experienced by naturalist Charles Darwin when he was about to publish “On The Origin of Species“, a piece that denied the creation of the universe by God; a conflict between his scientific vocation and his love for his very religious wife. (IMDB) .

4. The Theory of Everything (2014)

Eddie Redmayne (Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in this movie) plays the world-renown theoretical physicist and A Brief Story of Time author Stephen Hawking. The Theory of Everything deals with Hawking’s diagnosis of motor neuron disease, and his success in the field of physics (IMDB).

5. The Imitation Game (2014)

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Hobbit, Sherlock…) portrays mathematician, cryptanalyst and computing pioneer Alan Turing. Thanks to his exceptional mind, Turing helped the allies win WWII. (IMDB).

Do you know any other biopics about scientists that you could recommend?

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