Hollywood is in a constant pursuit of “perfection” — the only issue is that the audience’s ideal of true beauty changes just as constantly. For every perfect casting choice, there’s one that’s almost perfect, but only if they commit to some minor facial “upgrades”. These 10 actors and actresses had to “reinvent” themselves before they could land the roles that elevated them to Hollywood’s hall of fame.
10. Eiza González
Known for her work in Mexican telenovelas before she made her Hollywood debut in movies like Baby Driver and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, González has been open about her facial “improvements.” From rhinoplasty to jawline sculpting, González changed her features to land more “conventional” roles in American films.
9. Kirsten Dunst
While most celebrities are willing to alter their appearance for the role of a lifetime, Dunst denied a producer’s request to have her teeth straightened while filming the first Spider-Man film. She went on to keep her original teeth for the entire movie trilogy—and beyond.
8. Dean Martin
In post-war America, Italian features weren’t as common in Hollywood. Martin was told by his agent that he should consider a rhinoplasty to adhere better to the “Hollywood standard.” This marked his transition from lounge singer to film icon.
7. Priyanka Chopra
Bollywood is just as stingy as its American cousin when it comes to beauty standards. Despite becoming Miss World, Chopra was told she would need some serious upgrades before she could become an actress. She went for a (botched) rhinoplasty, but refused any body modifications.
6. Jennifer Grey
Despite finding success in Dirty Dancing, some producers told Jennifer Grey that, if she wanted more acting gigs, she should consider getting a “better nose”. Ironically, the change worked against her career, as audiences no longer recognized her after she got a rhinoplasty in the early ‘90s.
5. Marlene Dietrich
Dietrich’s iconic sculpted cheekbones didn’t just come from her genes: the legendary actress had her back molars removed before she went on to star in films like Morocco and Shanghai Express, creating her timeless look.
4. Sofia Vergara
For many fans, Vergara embodies the ultimate ideal of Latin beauty. However, the Modern Family actress had to drastically alter her looks to stick to Hollywood’s ideal of Latin American women. A natural blonde, Vergara dyed her hair dark brunette to look more “Colombian”.
3. Mickey Rourke
After his boxing injuries, Rourke followed studio cues to remain marketable in Hollywood. Ironically, he went overboard with plastic surgery. The Wrestler was his redemption, proving he was still Mickey Rourke under all those facial modifications.
2. Jamie Lee Curtis
When Jamie Lee Curtis was working on 1985’s Perfect, the cinematographer outright refused to keep working with her because she had bags under her eyes. Curtis underwent eye surgery to remove the bags, but later regretted it due to complications and opioid dependency.
1. Christian Bale
In American Psycho, Bale played a “perfect” narcissist with an obsession for detail. Unfortunately for Bale, he had a tiny tooth gap. He underwent surgery to close that gap and reshape his incisors, despite the numerous warnings of side effects like a lisp, to fully embody the part.
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