Hollywood sells polish, but you know the real magic hits when actors ditch it. Strip away the glamour and suddenly you’re watching craft at work. This list of 15 proves that beauty doesn’t carry a performance, commitment does. Bad teeth, tired faces, awkward posture. All choices. You don’t admire them, you believe them. That’s when acting clicks for you. And yeah, it’s way more fun to watch.
1. Anjelica Huston in The Witches
There aren’t many ’90s kids who weren’t haunted by Anjelica Huston’s horrific transformation into the Grand Witch in the original The Witches film. Sure, we get to see the actress show off her natural beauty throughout the film, but it’s still difficult to scrub the image of her with wrinkled, pink skin and a sharp nose from our minds.
2. Bill Skarsgård in Nosferatu
The Skarsgård family has been generously gifted in the looks department. But instead of fans having a chance to admire Bill Skarsgård’s chiselled jawline and green eyes on screen, it’s more often that we have to endure hours of terror from characters like Pennywise the Clown or Count Orlok. For the latter film (Nosferatu), the actor wore prosthetics and makeup to simulate sunken eyes and pale, partially decayed skin. Let’s not even get started on the balding comb-over and moustache. Just another role where Bill perfectly embodies all our worst nightmares.
3. Charlize Theron in Monster
Charlize Theron was absolutely captivating as the beautiful Candy Kendall in The Cider House Rules and, yes, even the charming Jill Young in Mighty Joe Young, but it was her performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster that drew the most attention. Charlize gained weight, wore yellow prosthetic teeth, and bleached her brows to look more like Wuornos. At the end of the day, ditching her usual girl-next-door image is what helped Charlize win her first Oscar.
4. Christina Ricci in Monster
Charlize Theron may steal the show with her performance in Monster, but the talented Christina Ricci delivers a compelling supporting character. The role required the raven-haired beauty to cut off her locks and wear minimal makeup. We’re used to Ricci playing unconventional characters, but this showed a whole other side of her range.
5. Christian Bale in Thor: Love and Thunder
Christian Bale is a literal master of transformation. He’s been ripped, gained weight, lost weight, and grown a beard all for the sake of looking convincing on screen. So it should come as no surprise that he actually shaved his hair off to play the gruesome and scarred Gorr in Thor: Love and Thunder. We’re just thankful he didn’t commit to getting his head tattooed for the role.
6. Colin Farrell in The Batman
Colin Farrell is unrecognisable as the notorious Batman villain, the Penguin. He BECAME the character by wearing a padded bodysuit, face prosthetics, and a thinning hair cap. We wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t recognise him beneath all that makeup and costume. In fact, some crew members didn’t even know it was him on the first day of filming.
7. Gwyneth Paltrow in Shallow Hal
Shallow Hal was the first time audiences had a chance to see Gwyneth Paltrow in a different light. Paltrow wore a padded bodysuit to play Rosemary, the overweight but kind-hearted love interest of Jack Black’s shallow character. The film has certainly not aged well; there are plenty of articles discussing the problematic nature of the storyline. Even Paltrow herself called the film a “disaster”.
8. Margot Robbie in Suite Française
Margot is, in fact, a living, breathing Barbie. So seeing her as a plain and simple French villager in Suite Française is a BIG change. It’s surprising what different clothing, makeup (or lack thereof), and a brown permed wig can do.
9. Naomi Grossman in American Horror Story
It’s hard to believe that Naomi Grossman is the actress who plays Pepper in American Horror Story. The stunning actress is worlds removed from the microcephalic character she plays on screen. Grossman was so convincing as the childlike yet murderous patient that she became a fan favourite! She was even brought back for a second season in 2014.
10. Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder
Tom Cruise posters were plastered on many a wall in the ’80s and ’90s. The action star has always been a heartthrob. But in somewhat of a comeback role, Cruise shed his usual hero image to play a balding, overweight studio executive named Les Grossman. Needless to say, fans ate it up! Cruise even got a chance to reprise the character for a stunt at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
11. Jaleel White in Family Matters
In the ’90s, Jaleel White ruled TV as Steve Urkel—the suspenders, the high-pitched voice, the glasses that could stop traffic. Then season five dropped Stephan Urquelle, his smooth-talking alter ego, and suddenly everyone realised the guy underneath was actually cool. Turns out, the nerd had been a heartthrob all along.
12. Mae Whitman in The DUFF
Mae Whitman might’ve played the “Designated Ugly Fat Friend” in The DUFF, but no one was buying it. The so-called makeover attempt—baggy dungarees, messy hair, zero makeup—barely masked how naturally charming she is. Let’s be honest, she was the least “DUFF” person in the entire film.
13. Gabourey Sidibe in Precious
Gabourey Sidibe stunned audiences in 2009’s Precious, playing a teen enduring horrific abuse and hardship. With stripped-back styling and no makeup, she embodied pain with raw honesty. Off-screen though, she’s the complete opposite—confident, radiant, and fully embracing her own beauty. These days, she’s clearly living life on her terms.
14. Hailee Steinfeld in The Edge of Seventeen
Hailee Steinfeld usually stuns on red carpets, but The Edge of Seventeen wasn’t one of those moments. Trading her usual sleek style for a frizzy Pedro-from-Napoleon Dynamite haircut, she leaned all the way into awkward teen energy. Not her best look—but that’s exactly why it worked.
15. Lena Headey in Dredd
Lena Headey can make anything look good—even a face full of scars. As Ma-Ma in Dredd, the filmmakers tried to strip away her beauty with brutal makeup and a grimy edge. Instead, she somehow made “intimidating crime boss” look effortlessly cool. Some people just can’t lose.
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