The Cast of “The Gilded Age” Compared to the Real-Life Historical Figures

1) Alva Vanderbilt as “Bertha Russell” (played by Carrie Coon)

The Gilded Age’s Bertha Russell (right) is based on Alva Vanderbilt (left), the ultra-rich and social climbing wife of railroad tycoon William Kissam Vanderbilt. At first, Alva and her family were looked down upon as gaudy and tasteless new-money folk. Over time, their lavish spending on social functions and dedication to fraternizing only with the most elite aristocrats paid off. Even the most exclusive society group, Mrs. Astor’s 400, opened to the family when Mrs. Astor realized that her family would sink on the social ladder if they did not attend the Vanderbilts’ grandiose parties. Eventually, so many industries and fortunes relied on the benevolence of the family that they became not only accepted, but revered by the oldest money in New York City. Similarly, Bertha is the wife of new-money railroad tycoon George Russell. She has an outwardly civil but internally vicious rivalry with the very same Mrs. Astor that Alva reckoned with. Carrie Coon embodies Alva in every step she takes up the social ladder, and in their matching white shirts and updos, the resemblance is indisputable.

2) Jay Gould as “George Russell” (played by Morgan Spector)

While George Russell may appear to be based on Alva’s husband, William Kissam Vanderbilt, director Julian Fellowes revealed that he is actually based on Jay Gould, another new railroad tycoon of the 1880s. Not only did Gould have a marvelous beard that could rival George’s, he and his family had a similarly difficult time being accepted by Mrs. Astor and her old money circle, though eventually their exorbitant wealth became impossible to look down upon. The show also included a historical tidbit from Gould’s life. In season two, George had trouble with his workers unionizing, similarly to when Gould's workers went on strike during the Great Southwest railroad strike of 1886. The parallels in George and Gould’s history, social life, and yes, facial hair, cannot go unnoticed.

3) Consuelo Vanderbilt as “Gladys Russell” (played by Taissa Farmiga)

The real Consuelo Vanderbilt (left) and Gladys Russell, played by Taissa Farmiga (right), share a likeness and meek constitution, but the similarities don’t stop there. Consuelo was the daughter of Alva and William Kissam Vanderbilt, born into a wealthy family dominating the railroad industry, much like Gladys. Her romantic hopes were disrupted by her mother planning an advantageous betrothal. Consuelo was forced to marry the ninth Duke of Marlborough, who in turn, required her family to pay a $2.5 million dowry. While the wedding was a flawless affair of the richest decorations and the highest society, it became a loveless marriage, and the pair divorced in 1921 after having two children together. Gladys seems to be following the same character arc, with her mother dismissing her humble romantic interest and encouraging her to get to know the aristocratic Duke of Buckingham. Hopefully an equally opulent wedding will ensue on the show, though it would be preferable for Gladys to avoid the multi-million dollar dowry and turbulent marriage.

7) Mamie Fish (played by Ashlie Atkinson)

Mamie Fish (played by Ashlie Atkinson)Don’t let the frown and frills fool you—Marian “Mamie” Fish (left) was the life of the party in New York society. She was known for her wit, fun-loving nature, and Gatsby-esque parties. She wasn’t the most wealthy of the New York elite, but after Mrs. Astor’s death, she and Alva Vanderbilt took her throne and served as the queens of New York high society. She is played by Ashlie Atkinson (right), who is the very embodiment of the festive socialite.

8) T. Thomas Fortune (played by Sullivan Jones)

Timothy Thomas Fortune (left) was a radical journalist, publisher, and civil rights leader in both The Gilded Age and in real life. Born into slavery in Florida, he studied law and journalism at Howard University and found a career working at some of the country’s leading Black newspapers, including The People’s Advocate, The New York Age, and The New York Globe. He wrote books and spoke out against racial injustice his entire life. He worked with the NAACP, co-founded the Afro-American League in 1890, and mentored Booker T. Washington, who also appears in The Gilded Age. In the show, he is the editor of the fictional character Peggy, a fellow Black journalist. He is played by Sullivan Jones (right).

9) Clara Barton (played by Linda Emond)

Clara Barton (left) was the heroic founder and first president of the American Red Cross. She worked as a nurse to provide aid to thousands of soldiers in the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln helped her open the Missing Soldiers Office, which reconnected over 20,000 troops with their families. She was introduced early in season one while fundraising for the American Red Cross with some of the old-money women. She is played by Linda Emond (right), whose twisted updo, flower adorned hat, and lacy collar perfectly match the real Clara Barton.

10) Arabella Huntington as “Sylvia Chamberlain” (played by Jeanne Tripplehorn)

The scandalous widow Arabella Huntington (left) had many parallels to Sylvia Chamberlain (right), a character played by Jeanne Tripplehorn in season one. While Sylvia and Arabella are not identical upon first glance, their stories are similar enough to make you do a double take. Huntington was the second wife to an extremely wealthy American industrialist, Collis Huntington, whose first wife died of cancer nine months before. Sylvia was in the same situation, having married Chamberlain suspiciously quickly after his first wife’s passing. Both women were their husbands' mistresses before the death of their first wives, and both had a son, widely known to be born out of wedlock. Even after laying low, both women’s reputations were controversial enough that the Astors barred them from society. After Huntington’s death, Arabella married her late husband’s nephew, Henry. Sylvia has yet to add that to her list of scandals.

11) J.P. Morgan (played by Bill Camp)

John Pierpont Morgan is one of the newest characters in The Gilded Age, and was briefly introduced in the first episode of season three. His name is one of the most recognizable today, as the famous investment banker and financier who shaped the American economy during the Industrial Revolution. Bill Camp (right) mimics the pose and steely stare of J.P. Morgan’s real portrait (left).

13) Emily Warren Roebling (played by Liz Wisan)

Emily Warren Roebling (left), played by Liz Wisan (right), was instrumental in building the world’s longest suspension bridge at the time, the Brooklyn Bridge, which was referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world” both on the show and in real life. Emily’s husband, Washington A. Roebling was the original chief engineer of the project. He became ill and bedridden, so Mrs. Roebling took over, managing the crew and making technical decisions in his place. She later got her law degree when she was 56 and subsequently worked on many women’s rights cases.