12 Times Actors Became Unrecognizable For A Movie Role

The beauty of acting is when actors and actresses are totally immersed in their characters. At that time, our favorite actors became unrecognizable so much that we can’t realize who they are. Every movie often encourages some hugely transformative roles that require actors to put on a large wig or elaborate costume. They also have to spend hours in a chair wearing heavy makeup. Sometimes that patience leads to a huge hit, even more often, it gets the attention of the Academy.
Colin Farrell’s portrayal of The Penguin in “The Batman” is a case of incredible transformation in which the actor disappears in his role. Jared Leto who embodied Paolo Gucci in Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” is worth introducing. Aside from them, there are many actors who rely on makeup and prosthetics to capture the look of a character as realistically as possible, whether it is a character adapted from literature or a real-life figure.
Below are 12 famous actors who became recognizable in major movies. You can find more actor's transformations by clicking here and here.

#1 Oscar Isaac in “X-Men: Apocalypse”

Source: © X-Men: Apocalypse / Marvel Entertainment and co-producers, East News

In the 1980s Egypt “X-Men: Apocalypse”, Oscar Isaac had to wear heavy makeup and a costume to play a centuries-old villain. Although the actor confessed the experience was “excruciating”, he brought us a fantastic performance.

#2 Tilda Swinton in “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

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Tilda Swinton is regarded as a chameleon in the acting field. She surprised both movie buffs and critics with great performances and one of them was playing Madame D. in “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. The makeup crew switched her into a wealthy old lady by using rubber silicone to mimic aging skin and adding bright lipstick and a few liver spots. Tilda Swinton is worth introducing to our list of 12 actors who became unrecognizable.

#3 Karen Gillan in “Guardians of the Galaxy”

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To perfectly portray the bionic Nebula, Karen Gillan bartered many things. She decided to shave her head and say goodbye to her beautiful red locks. It took the crew 15 minutes to put the makeup on and 30 minutes to remove it from the actress.

#4 Jessica Chastain in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”

Source: Searchlight Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News, Stuart Hardy / ABACAPRESS.COM / Abaca / East News

Portraying a famous television personality was a huge challenge for Jessica Chastain. Although she had to wear silicon cheeks, nose, and chins, everything is worth. While she won Best Actress at the 2022 Oscars, the makeup team received an Oscar for their superb work.

#5 Danny DeVito in “Batman Returns”

Source: Collection Christophel / Collection Christophel / East News,  © s_bukley / Depositphotos.com

Oscar Cobblepot, known as The Penguin, featured a small stature and a pointed nose resembling a penguin’s beak. Actor Danny DeVito, who took on the role, experienced a dramatic transformation, wearing fake teeth and excessive makeup to get this over-the-top look.

#6 Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”

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Marion Cotillard perfectly embodied French singer Edith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose”. The actress not only put on striking facial makeup mixed with acrylic and latex prosthetics but also donned a bodysuit to appear bulkier.

#7 Ben Stiller in “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”

Source: © Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, East News

Ben Stiller’s transformation in “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” received praise from audiences. He had to wear prosthetics and a heavy wig to play a caveman.

#8 James McAvoy in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”

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It’s hard to recognize James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”. James underwent hours of prosthetic applications, including a live cast and ear extensions to resemble Tumnus’ goat-like ears, fake hair, and hooves.

#9 Jamie Campbell Bower in “Stranger Things”

Source: © Stranger Things / Netflix and co-producers, East News

Jamie Campbell Bower took on the role of Vecna who is one of the biggest nightmares in Hawkins. Instead of using CGI, the crew sued 25 pieces of latex and silicone rubber material glued to his body. The process took them around 7 and a half hours to complete. Understanding his transformation, we're sure he deserves in our list of actors who became unrecognizable in major movies.

#10 Margot Robbie in “Mary, Queen of Scots”

Source: Focus Features, Wikipedia

Margot Robbie was nearly unrecognizable when her character, Queen Elizabeth I, grows older. The actress put on ghostly white face makeup and a bright red wig. Furthermore, she also wore a lot of prosthetic scars on her face to represent the marks left by a bout with smallpox.

#11 Emma Stone as Billie Jean King in “Battle of the Sexes”

Source: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock

To embody tennis legend Billie Jean King, Emma Stone not only dyed her signature red hair brown but put on 15 pounds of muscle in training for the movie “Battle of the Sexes”.

#12 Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf in “The Hours”

Source: Paramount Pictures, Shutterstock

Nicole Kidman immersed in her character Virginia Woolf, who is best known for perfecting a stream-of-consciousness style, famously donning a prosthetic nose to look more like the character.