Kurt Russell was partially involved in bringing Elvis Presley to life for 1994's Forrest Gump - here's who really played him. Forrest Gump sees Tom Hanks' titular history-botherer turn his hand to everything from running to ping-pong by way of the Vietnam War. Across his journey, Forrest encounters a string of celebrities, politicians and revolutionaries whose significance eludes him in the most endearing way. From sitting next to John Lennon on TV to telling Nixon he needs to pee, Forrest unknowingly weaves himself through some of America's most important 20th century moments.

Arguably the greatest celebrity inclusion in Forrest Gump, however, is Elvis Presley. A pre-fame Elvis passes through Alabama and stays at the Gump family home as a lodger. Ever the charisma factory, Elvis immediately makes an impression upon a young Forrest Gump, who's entranced by the mystery man's guitar skills and rock n' roll vocals. As Forrest vibes to "Hound Dog" in his orthopedic leg splints, Presley takes note of the youngster's staccato movements and hip swinging, and later recreates the "crazy little walk" during his iconic performance on the Milton Berle Show.

Related: Forrest Gump: What Illness Jenny Dies From

Forrest Gump's Elvis cameo is a carefully-filmed composite performance incorporating two different actors. On one hand, there's Kurt Russell, the Hollywood legend famous for The Thing, Escape From New York, The Hateful Eight and much more. Although he goes uncredited, Russell provides the voice for Elvis' Forrest Gump scene - one of many occasions the actor's career coalesced with the King of Rock n' Roll in one form or another. Kurt Russell had already played Presley in John Carpenter's Elvis TV biopic 15 years prior, so had a decent Elvis impression in his locker, which Forrest Gump's director, Robert Zemeckis, took full advantage of.

Peter Dobson as Elvis in Forrest Gump

Zemeckis cleverly obscures Elvis' face during his scene in the Gump home. The camera largely shoots the musician from behind, relying on a recreation his famed hairstyle as an identifier, and when Elvis does move in front of shot, he's deliberately out of focus. Nevertheless, it's blatantly obvious the man is not Kurt Russell, despite a common belief to the contrary (like Tim Burton directing The Nightmare Before Christmas). Physically, Forrest Gump's Elvis is played by Peter Dobson. Although not quite as recognizable as Kurt Russell, Dobson is a storied actor of the big and small screen, with roles in The Poseidon Adventure, Fatal Instinct and Head Over Heels.

In a brilliant quirk of fortune, however, Dobson's career owes even more to Elvis Presley than Kurt Russel's. Just as Russell played The King over and over, Dobson portrayed Elvis impersonators in The Ranch and Dice, and the man himself in Protecting the King. Best of all, Peter Dobson starred as the title character in short-lived TV series Johnny Bago, one episode of which saw Johnny get saved by Elvis and then hang out in the singer's RV, only a year before Forrest Gump. The writer and creator of Johnny Bago? Robert Zemeckis.

More: Forrest Gump's Original Casting Plan Would've Been Much Worse