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Martin Sheen, "Kennedy" (NBC miniseries), 1983. Before playing fictional President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet on "The West Wing," Sheen starred in the five-hour miniseries chronicling JFK's presidency. It aired just two days before the 20th anniversary of the president's assassination. Kelsey Grammar also appeared in the miniseries, which had 18.5 million viewers across three airings. Stephen Collins, "A Woman Named Jackie" (NBC miniseries), 1991. While recreating Kennedy's inaugural address for this Emmy-winning miniseries, Collins recalled seeing a man around 70 who had stopped to watch the filming. "He took off his hat and stared in my direction as if he were seeing a ghost," said Collins. "He stayed still, like a soldier at attention, until I finished. It seemed to be as meaningful for him as it was for me. Connecting with my impromptu audience of one was the most satisfying moment of the shoot." Patrick Dempsey, "J.F.K.: Reckless Youth" (ABC movie), 1993. Before saving lives as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepard on "Grey's Anatomy," Dempsey wooed 10.8 million viewers as young Kennedy. The movie looked at JFK's childhood years, his young adulthood and his nomination for Congress. William Peterson, "The Rat Pack" (HBO movie), 1998. A dashing Peterson embodied JFK in the film focusing on the famous entertainers' circle, offering a glimpse into JFK and Frank Sinatra's wavering friendship. Ray Liotta starred as Sinatra, Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin, Don Cheadle as Sammy Davis, Jr., Angus Macfadyen as Peter Lawford and Bobby Slayton as Joey Bishop. Tim Matheson, "Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis" (CBS miniseries), 2000. Playing JFK in the two-part miniseries, which attracted 10 million viewers, was an honor, said Matheson, but also a challenge to find the real person beneath the glamour. "So it was trying to find those human moments beneath all of the monumental things that he said and did. He was movie star-like, and Jackie was sophisticated and educated. They represented a new page in American history." Greg Kinnear, "The Kennedys" (Reelz miniseries), 2011. When the four-time Emmy-winning "The Kennedys" made its world premiere on REELZ, it brought in record viewership for the cable network, reaching 17.5 million viewers in its first month. Katie Holmes played Jackie Kennedy. Rob Lowe, "Killing Kennedy" (National Geographic Channel miniseries), aired Nov. 10, 2013. While researching JFK for the role, Lowe, a father of two, said he was moved by a recording of Kennedy giving dictation when he's interrupted by John Jr. "Their conversation together was priceless," said Lowe.
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