11 Roles That Turned Into Actors’ Nightmares Because Of The Costumes

Acting isn't all fun and games, sometimes, it means discomfort. Actors are expected to complete the looks of whoever they are playing, even if it means donning some pretty uncomfortable costumes. And sometimes, the costumes can be so uncomfy that it makes one want to quit the production altogether.
That's not the case with these 14 brave actors though. They didn't let the discomfort get the best of them, instead, they soldiered on to deliver unforgettable performances. From suffocating masks to steamy fat suits and smelly fake hair, these actors have suffered it all for the sake of art. And while we may feel sorry for them, there's no denying that their dedication and commitment are downright hilarious at times.
It’s a piece of cake to see the movie’s success, but never quite as easy to understand the struggle inside the dressing room. So sit back, grab some popcorn (or a tube of anti-chafing cream), and let's take a look at some of the most memorable and uncomfortable costumes in Hollywood history.

#1 Peter Mayhew – Star Wars

Source: © Solo: A Star Wars Story / Lucasfilm Ltd.

Did you know that playing a beloved character like Chewbacca in Star Wars isn’t fun at all? Just ask Peter Mayhew, who had to deal with a costume made of yak hair and mohair. Imagine the sweat! And don't even get him started on the smell. Yuck!

#2 Renée Zellweger – The Thing About Pam

Source: MEGA / Mega Agency / East News

Speaking of costumes causing trouble, Renée Zellweger faced some backlash for a special outfit she had to wear while filming the upcoming series The Thing About Pam. Fans accused the star of fat-shaming, but little did they know that she had put on around 15 pounds for a role. I guess it's tough being a Hollywood actress!

#3 Saoirse Ronan – Mary Queen of Scots

Source: Allstar / Focus Features

Just imagine having to wear a corset for 12 hours a day like Saoirse Ronan did for Mary Queen of Scots, ouch! Her hourglass figure was definitely the result of hard work, but it took her a whole month to get rid of it after the movie. Talk about dedication!

#4 Michelle Pfeiffer – Batman Returns

Source: ©Warner Bros / Courtesy Everett Collection

Michelle Pfeiffer had to endure a tight-fitting suit for her role in Batman Returns. She couldn't even get into it on her own and needed to be vacuum sealed inside! And let's not forget about the uncomfortable mask she had to wear. But hey, her portrayal of Catwoman is still considered the best, so maybe it was all worth it.

#5 Rebecca Romijn – X-Men

Source: Moviestore / Shutterstock

Rebecca Romijn also underwent a major transformation for her role in X-Men. She was painted from head to toe in blue as Mystique and it took between 8 and 9 hours to apply the makeup. And if that wasn't enough, she had to wear yellow eye contacts that must have been pretty uncomfortable.
No wonder Jennifer Lawrence decided to skip out on all that blue paint and just look like herself.

#6 Ron Pearlman – Hellboy

Source: ©Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

When it comes to uncomfortable costumes, Ron Pearlman takes the cake for his role as Hellboy. Not only was he covered in bright red paint, but he also had to wear contact lenses and a giant rock hand. But it's all worth it in the end when you see Hellboy come to life on the big screen.

#7 Michael Chiklis – The Fantastic Four

Source: IMDb

Michael Chiklis played The Thing in The Fantastic Four back in 2005, and the suit he had to wear was super heavy and hot. But he soldiered on, grateful for the chance to bring the iconic character to life.

#8 Tim Curry – Legend

Source: Universal Pictures

Tim Curry also knows a thing or two about uncomfortable costumes. He played Darkness in Legend (1985), and his costume included gigantic horns that caused him a lot of pain. The horns had to be made lighter so that he could wear them for long periods of time.
But despite the discomfort, the costume is still remembered as one of the greatest in film history.

#9 Jim Carrey – The Grinch

Source: Imagine Ent / Kobal/REX / Shutterstock

Let's not forget about Jim Carrey's iconic performance as The Grinch. He had to endure a tight-fitting costume from head to toe and irritating contact lenses, all while spending eight hours in make-up. The discomfort was so intense that the production had to bring in a CIA operative to teach him how to endure torture.

#10 Oscar Isaac – X-Men: Apocalypse

Source: IMDb

X-Men: Apocalypse was a misfire in many ways, including the titular villain's costume, which looked more like a bad Power Rangers cosplay than a menacing foe. Oscar Isaac had the unenviable task of wearing the massive suit, which weighed a whopping 40 pounds and required a built-in cooling system.
But the real nightmare began when it was time to remove the suit, which included scraping off his skin. It's no wonder Isaac has been less than enthusiastic about revisiting the X-Men franchise.

#11 Ralph Fiennes — Harry Potter

Source: ©Warner Bros

Playing the Dark Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films required a lot of physical discomfort for Ralph Fiennes. Not only did he have to endure hours of makeup, but the costume itself was a nightmare to wear. His tights constantly slipped down and made it difficult for him to move as graciously.
Fiennes had to ask the costume designer for a solution, and the top of the tights was ultimately cut off. He was left with just stockings to wear.