It’s not called “movie magic” for nothing. Actors and actresses have been known to significantly alter their appearances for the goal of getting into character, both physically and emotionally, depending on the role they are playing. From big blonde wigs, new eye colors and prosthetics all the way to physically altering diets and lifestyle, these actors went above and beyond to be suitable for their character role. These are the 10 biggest transformations ever seen in Hollywood…
10. Emmy Rossum – ‘Angelyne’
Emmy Rossum, a brunette with brown eyes, used a huge blonde wig, a new eye color, and prosthetics to turn into Angelyne. She admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that she would spend four or five hours in the makeup chair, have blisters from the 3-pound false bust she wore, and had tear duct difficulties from wearing two pairs of contact lenses and thick makeup — but it was all worth it. “The physicality of the character was challenging. The body is heavy, yet it has to feel light and effervescent. But I just kept focusing on how lucky I felt. This opportunity is really every actor’s dream,” Emmy told THR.
10. Emmy Rossum ‘Angelyne’,
9. Renee Zellweger – ‘The Thing About Pam’
Renee Zellweger donned face and body prosthetics to play Pam Hupp in the 2022 NBC limited series “The Thing About Pam,” which is based on the Dateline NBC true crime podcast of the same name. “The idea is to be accurate, the idea is accuracy,” she explained as to why she chose to dress up in a fat suit to get into character on “Entertainment Tonight.” “I think, especially in the case of telling this story, it was really important to as closely resemble Pam Hupp as we possibly could, because she seems so familiar, she seems like someone that we recognize and we know”. This wasn’t even the first time she did something like this for a role…
9. Renee Zellweger ‘The Thing About Pam’
8. Renee Zellweger – ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’
Renee Zellweger’s transformation into Bridget Jones required more than just a change of accent. The slim actress gained 25 pounds for her role in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” in 2001, lost it all for her role in “Chicago” in 2002, and then regained it all for “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” in 2004. Talk about dedication!
Renee Zellweger ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’
7. Colin Farrell – ‘The Batman’
In 2020, photographs surfaced of Colin Farrell using prosthetics, transforming him into the villainous Oswald Cobblepot, best known as the Penguin, while filming “The Batman” in Liverpool, England. He starred alongside Robert Pattinson as the title superhero and Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman.
Colin Farrell ‘The Batman’
6. Jared Leto – ‘Chapter 27’
Years before losing weight for “Dallas Buyers Club” (see below), Jared bulked up for “Chapter 27,” packing on a massive 67 pounds to play John Lennon’s assassin, Mark David Chapman, in the 2006 film. Later, Jared realized that gaining the extra weight wasn’t the best idea. He was diagnosed with gout and was prescribed Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering medication. He told the Los Angeles Times, “I’m not convinced it was the best decision.” “I tried everything I could to persuade a friend of mine not to gain weight for a movie, and he did.” Just because you can lose weight doesn’t mean the effect it had on you has vanished.
Jared Leto ‘Chapter 27’
5. Jared Leto – ‘Dallas Buyers Club’
In the 2013 film “Dallas Buyers Club,” Jared Leto transformed into Rayon, a HIV-positive trans woman. To physically transform into Rayon, the acclaimed actor, who is 5-foot-11, dropped to 114 pounds and wore a full face of makeup, wigs, and women’s attire. “I stopped eating, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. It was 30 or 40 pounds. After a while I stopped counting,” he revealed. “It changes the way you walk, the way you sit, the way you think”. For his efforts, Jared was awarded an Oscar for best supporting actor.
Jared Leto ‘Dallas Buyers Club’
4. Jared Leto – ‘House of Gucci’
Jared again? Wow, this guy really goes to the full extent for his roles, doesn’t he? Thanks to prosthetics and a bald cap, Jared Leto looked completely different for Gucci’s “House of Gucci” in 2021. In the crime drama, which also stars Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, and others, the Oscar winner plays Paolo Gucci.
Jared Leto ‘House Of Gucci’
3. Glenn Close – ‘Albert Nobbs’
In the 2011 film “Albert Nobbs,” Glenn Close had a dramatic change. She plays Albert, a naturally female butler who has lived as a man for the past 30 years in the film. Glenn starred in the play’s first stage version in the 1980s and worked for 15 years to get it to the big screen. Her minimum makeup, slicked-back, short hair, and 19th century men’s attire demonstrate her complete commitment to the job.
Glenn Close ‘Albert Nobbs’
2. Mila Kunis – ‘Four Good Days’
Mila Kunis starred in the drama “Four Good Days” in 2021 as Molly Wheeler, a heroin addict trying to reconnect with her long-suffering mother (Glenn Close). The actress, who appears disheveled in the video with sunken eyes, marks on her cheeks, and bleached hair displaying dark roots, told that in early 2020 that she weighed as little as 95 pounds while filming. “I don’t know [how much weight I shed] since I don’t have a scale,” she explained, “but based on my wardrobe, I was as slim as I was for ‘Black Swan.'”
Mila Kunis ‘Four Good Days’
1. Christian Bale – ‘The Machinist’
Christian Bale lost a significant amount of weight for his role in ‘The Machinist’. The film depicted a character ravaged by guilt and inner demons, to the point where he physically diminished as the film went on. Bale lost a total of 62 pounds for the 2004 epic, reaching a body weight of 120 pounds. Bale actually wanted to lose more, but filmmakers refused on health grounds.
