17 Stars Who Play Scary Villains Onscreen But Are Cuties IRL

These actors are terrifying villains onscreen but are cuties in real life. Seriously, they’re the total opposite of their characters. Unlike their villainous characters, they’re actually very lovely people. It’s amazing to see how different they are in their daily life versus how they act in films.
Don’t let their dark charisma fool you. These guys might be cold-hearted serial killers or crazy psychopaths in movies, but they are just a bunch of wholesome dudes off-screen. Let’s unmask their true identities and see how sweet they can be!

1. Mads Mikkelsen - Hannibal, Kaecilius, Gellert Grindelwald and Other Villains

villains onscreen but are cuties Mads Mikkelsen - Hannibal, Kaecilius, Gellert Grindelwald and Other Villains Source: Everett Collection/ @madsdoingthings

Mads Mikkelsen on screen is scary. Mads Mikkelsen in real life is hilarious. He is a pretty chill dude and is super down to Earth. Plus, his pink hoodie is adorable.

2. Javier Bardem - Anton Chigurh, Raoul Silva, and Captain Salazar

villains onscreen but are cuties Javier Bardem - Anton Chigurh, Raoul Silva, and Captain Salazar Source: Everett Collection/ © bardemantarctic / Instagram

We are terrified of Anton Chigurh and Raoul Silva, but the actor who plays them are quite lovely in real life. Javier Bardem is a great family man who loves his older sister and brother. is not grumpy like his characters at all!

3. Anthony Hopkins - Hannibal Lecter

villains onscreen but are cuties Anthony Hopkins - Hannibal Lecter Source: Everett Collection

Sir Anthony Hopkins’s Hannibal Lecter was so frightening that not only did he scare the audiences, his co-star Jodie Foster was terrified of him too. However, he is very wholesome in real life. Just check out his Twitter! It will guarantee to bring a smile to your face.

4. Antony Starr - Homelander

villains onscreen but are cuties Antony Starr - Homelander Source: Everett Collection/ @dailyantony

Nope. Unlike the big jerk Homelander, Antony Starr is a pretty chill guy. He won’t turn anyone into ashes with his eyes.

5. Ralph Fiennes - Voldemort

villains onscreen but are cuties Ralph Fiennes - Voldemort Source: Everett Collection/ © AP / East News

Unlike Voldemort, Ralph Fiennes is very friendly. He is happy to take cute selfies with other people.

6. Imelda Staunton - Dolores Umbridge

villains onscreen but are cuties Imelda Staunton - Dolores Umbridge Source: Everett Collection

If you think Dolores Umbridge is a monster, then you’re not alone. The actress who played her also said that too. Imelda Staunton is the total opposite of her character in the Harry Potter franchise, so she feels pretty bad for a couple of days after filming the detention scene.

7. Alfred Molina - Doctor Octopus

villains onscreen but are cuties Alfred Molina - Doctor Octopus Source: Everett Collection

Doctor Octopus might be a villain on screen, but he is a cutie in real life.

8. Willem Dafoe - Norman Osborn/ Green Goblin

villains onscreen but are cuties Willem Dafoe - Norman Osborn/ Green Goblin Source: Everett Collection

Willem Dafoe nails many villain roles, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad guy in real life too. In fact, he is very nice to his colleagues and the people around him.

9. Tom Hiddleston - Loki

villains onscreen but are cuties Tom Hiddleston - Loki Source: Everett Collection/ © twhiddleston/Instagram

Tom Hiddleston might play a villain onscreen, but he is a real hero in real life. The actor is an ambassador and he works with UNICEF.

10. Christoph Waltz - Hans Landa

Christoph Waltz - Hans Landa Source: Everett Collection

Hans Landa is terrible. Christoph Waltz is not. He is a pretty funny guy who loves to make everyone around him smile.

11. Ian McDiarmid - Palpatine

Ian McDiarmid - Palpatine Source: Everett Collection

Ian McDiarmid played the role of Palpatine well, but he is nothing like that in real life. He won’t even hurt a fly!

12. Josh Brolin - Thanos

Josh Brolin - Thanos Source: Everett Collection/ © joshbrolin / Instagram

Evil villain on-screen, a cutie off-screen.

13. David Bradley - Walder Frey

David Bradley - Walder Frey Source: Everett Collection

David Bradley might look angry all the time in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter, but in reality, he is pretty cool.

14. Iwan Rheon - Ramsay Bolton

Instead of torturing people for fun like his character in the show, Iwan Rheon stands for nature protection instead.

15. Charlize Theron - Queen Ravenna

Charlize Theron - Queen Ravenna Source: Everett Collection

In reality, Charlize Theron is an ally of the LGBTQ community and a very big supporter of them.

16. Gary Oldman - Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Gary Oldman - Bram Stoker’s Dracula Source: Everett Collection

Off-screen Gary Oldman is a loving husband and a great father.

17. Michael Shannon - The Shape of Water

Michael Shannon - The Shape of Water Source: Everett Collection

Another family man is Michael Shannon. He looks nothing like his evil character onscreen.
So we finally see the truth behind how these guys play villains onscreen but are cuties in real life. Let’s unmask more iconic monsters! Beneath the ugly looks of these horrendous roles, the actors who play them are actually very beautiful.