Pop Culture

Gallery: 10 Historical Figures Who May Have Been Vampires

The titular hero in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter isn't the only one with a knack for spotting the undead.

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This Friday, director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) will bring everyone's favorite candid president, Abraham Lincoln, back into office for his fantastical action-horror flick Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based on Seth Grahame-Smith's book of the same name.

Abe's return, as an axe-wielding vampire murderer (played by Benjamin Walker) has made us wonder: Have the undead been lurking in the corners of history, doomed to be overlooked by people who are scared to be seen as superstitious? Could they be out there, making history now, concealing their zeal for plasma under an impressive title?

Call us crazy all you want, but we're convinced that some of history's most influential people have been vamps on the low, hiding their insatiable blood lust under the guise of pomp and circumstance. And since old Abe can't do it, we're here to blow the whistle. Throw your silver up for the following gallery of 10 Historical Figures Who May Have Been Vampires.

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Vladamir Putin

Vladamir Putin (October 7, 1952 - Long live Putin! No, seriously, he's still alive, and he's going to live forever.)

Vladamir shows Russia that fangs are totally the new iron fist.

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Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI (April 16, 1927 - As long as there's a fresh supply of children)

"Come closer, kids," he's saying. "I can't taste you if you're all the way over there!"

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan (Feb. 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004... Or is he still lurking?)

This gives new meaning to the Cold War, doesn't it?

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John Quincy Adams

President John Quincy Adams (June 11, 1767 - February 23, 1848... Or did he?)

Throughout the length of his presidency, Adams was repeatedly seen sinking his teeth into cabinet members while exclaiming, "I'm the H.V.I.C., bitch!"

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II (April 21, 1926 - Reigning into eternity, obviously)

"As I was saying, coffins are so bourgeois. Oh, look, a new guard! Move out of my way, peasants... It's snack time!"

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Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud (May 6, 1856 - September 23, 1939... Or is he still out there "analyzing"?)

Look into my eyes, and repeat after me: "What happens on the couch, stays on the couch."

John C. Calhoun

Vice President John C. Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850, doomed to be hung repeatedly until the end of time)

Concealing your inherent evil is difficult when you're arguing for slavery; not to mention, throwing your cape over your shoulder while laughing manically every time a Senate member disagrees with you.

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Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi (March 26, 1940 - Speaker of the House for life... and beyond!)

Republicans have been raising their crosses at her for decades. Are you really that surprised?

Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1936... Or is he still out there escaping from his maker?)

Your platlets—now you see them, now you don't!

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Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin (January 22, 1869 - Dec. 29, 1916... Or not?)

Rasputin proved pimpin ain't easy, but "glamouring" young birds is.

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