![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SFCMZOVHTZTFFSW5EE6A4FCIZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c4bb9af8a955a9f7cadcff97e8b1af32ceeab0444b97f6b8c2843afd7771d13&width=400&height=225)
Sean Penn with co-star Julia Roberts in a scene from 'Gaslit.' Penn wore a full prosthetic face that included cheek and noses pieces to play former US Attorney General John Mitchell. Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WF6DZDJSENFJBDIDHSD2B7ZYOA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a3164c133132342e54e045e245be81ab97f06ca50892a564e25933d514a28478&width=400&height=225)
Nicole Kidman donned a prosthetic nose that drastically changed her appearance when she took on the role of writer Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours.' Photo: Paramount Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NUCXC5O4GFGBTK54NHRWXFCJ5Y.jpeg?smart=true&auth=57fccadd62520d8f43669f135cc779a3d90902f814e7e5b5df26e7a20fb04be5&width=400&height=225)
Charlize Theron in a scene with co-star Christina Ricci in 'Monster.' Theron's face was airbrushed with layers of translucent washes of tattoo ink to change the texture of her skin to appear like real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Photo: Newmarket Films
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P4MTJT5UEVEXJIQPIBIK4D5GF4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=57973e064fec4d3eda5c6d365cda3fe4e84bb7642e522e599566cceca160217d&width=400&height=225)
Tilda Swinton's transformation into Dr Jozef Klemperer for 'Suspiria' included prosthetics, makeup and a full bodysuit. Photo: Amazon Studios
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UIOGA2MS4VFDNIRSFU5LD37SLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=53fd7e06317ce5636a2cadacaaa236cf394206fa2e05c56f7fa7fa8175c04773&width=400&height=225)
For his role in 'House of Gucci', Jared Leto wore a three-piece bald cap to cover his hair, facial prosthetics and a bodysuit. Photo: Universal Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q6T6SRYPGNBRPPXUXOS23PS5EE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ad45b4e4f9935df4a52fcefd4237dc57d9f381093bbaf82d9940fc5f51afd92c&width=400&height=225)
Tom Hardy was transformed into legendary mobster Al Capone in 'Fonzo' through facial prosthetics and a bald cap and wig for a receding hairline. Photo: Vertical Entertainment
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BNRQTB3JA5DKNEC5E3HZDNB6NU.jpg?smart=true&auth=af278f5f8a87c3aa0526a056a3b0d7a46aa3cacf40cc2fdf8c539662ab3ce3cd&width=400&height=225)
It took a team of makeup artists 11.5 hours the first time they transformed Emmy Rossum into Angelyne in the TV series based on her life, using wigs, bodysuits, lenses, and a breastplate. Photo: NBC Universal
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NWVXG3QWSJADJCWAK6RHFI52YU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3e6a231430e093623b19f5f9805b470b2577b02aaf93ff0ebfe79102f76b656a&width=400&height=225)
Christian Bale gained more than 18kg and spent between four to eight hours a day in makeup for his role as Dick Cheney in 'Vice.' Photo: Annapurna Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I6YD363LTNDUBJ45DKT5RATAVI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=223f9cdd2c63f50cd38b34435c37a6ab08ba4c421643c2d2e76089e4c5d89baa&width=400&height=225)
Jessica Chastain committed to sitting for one to two hours a day to be fitted with cheek appliances and prosthetics, to resemble televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'. Photo: Searchlight Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LV4I2XCF4FC3ZIHRRZULLMMOJM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=19ec75fa14d1d89e0bd1b38872e8cc49bfec78c63670a550ee16f5384a0ff808&width=400&height=225)
Colin Farrell spent three to four hours to become the Penguin in 'The Batman'. Photo: Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SN23VSWMKJH7PKG3IXXUXPTBUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=540217849653f3eb671e65715163d340cb96f98a83d568708bedff55e41e7f23&width=400&height=225)
Along with dyeing and cutting her hair, Rooney Mara got real piercings on her face for her role in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' Photo: Columbia TriStar
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PAM666YIZ5GPZCDKCI5KPIHAIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b404b608cf67928b174afc14bb14c6ee7aa71d2f3573d7818276ce6f84743152&width=400&height=225)
Matthew McConaughey gained more than 18kg and was fitted with a balding toupee for his role in 'Gold'. Photo: Dimension Films
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N2LBN7WU2ZB7DPSTF4UDUD77KQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ac29be4de7e3f9450828a47733d8240136909a40e0ebc929ca86f9f19d6d7e61&width=400&height=225)
With shaved brows, a red wig and a prosthetic nose, Margot Robbie is unrecognisable as Queen Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen of Scots'. Photo: Focus Features
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SFCMZOVHTZTFFSW5EE6A4FCIZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c4bb9af8a955a9f7cadcff97e8b1af32ceeab0444b97f6b8c2843afd7771d13&width=400&height=225)
Sean Penn with co-star Julia Roberts in a scene from 'Gaslit.' Penn wore a full prosthetic face that included cheek and noses pieces to play former US Attorney General John Mitchell. Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WF6DZDJSENFJBDIDHSD2B7ZYOA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a3164c133132342e54e045e245be81ab97f06ca50892a564e25933d514a28478&width=400&height=225)
Nicole Kidman donned a prosthetic nose that drastically changed her appearance when she took on the role of writer Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours.' Photo: Paramount Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NUCXC5O4GFGBTK54NHRWXFCJ5Y.jpeg?smart=true&auth=57fccadd62520d8f43669f135cc779a3d90902f814e7e5b5df26e7a20fb04be5&width=400&height=225)
Charlize Theron in a scene with co-star Christina Ricci in 'Monster.' Theron's face was airbrushed with layers of translucent washes of tattoo ink to change the texture of her skin to appear like real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Photo: Newmarket Films
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P4MTJT5UEVEXJIQPIBIK4D5GF4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=57973e064fec4d3eda5c6d365cda3fe4e84bb7642e522e599566cceca160217d&width=400&height=225)
Tilda Swinton's transformation into Dr Jozef Klemperer for 'Suspiria' included prosthetics, makeup and a full bodysuit. Photo: Amazon Studios
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UIOGA2MS4VFDNIRSFU5LD37SLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=53fd7e06317ce5636a2cadacaaa236cf394206fa2e05c56f7fa7fa8175c04773&width=400&height=225)
For his role in 'House of Gucci', Jared Leto wore a three-piece bald cap to cover his hair, facial prosthetics and a bodysuit. Photo: Universal Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q6T6SRYPGNBRPPXUXOS23PS5EE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ad45b4e4f9935df4a52fcefd4237dc57d9f381093bbaf82d9940fc5f51afd92c&width=400&height=225)
Tom Hardy was transformed into legendary mobster Al Capone in 'Fonzo' through facial prosthetics and a bald cap and wig for a receding hairline. Photo: Vertical Entertainment
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BNRQTB3JA5DKNEC5E3HZDNB6NU.jpg?smart=true&auth=af278f5f8a87c3aa0526a056a3b0d7a46aa3cacf40cc2fdf8c539662ab3ce3cd&width=400&height=225)
It took a team of makeup artists 11.5 hours the first time they transformed Emmy Rossum into Angelyne in the TV series based on her life, using wigs, bodysuits, lenses, and a breastplate. Photo: NBC Universal
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NWVXG3QWSJADJCWAK6RHFI52YU.jpg?smart=true&auth=3e6a231430e093623b19f5f9805b470b2577b02aaf93ff0ebfe79102f76b656a&width=400&height=225)
Christian Bale gained more than 18kg and spent between four to eight hours a day in makeup for his role as Dick Cheney in 'Vice.' Photo: Annapurna Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I6YD363LTNDUBJ45DKT5RATAVI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=223f9cdd2c63f50cd38b34435c37a6ab08ba4c421643c2d2e76089e4c5d89baa&width=400&height=225)
Jessica Chastain committed to sitting for one to two hours a day to be fitted with cheek appliances and prosthetics, to resemble televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'. Photo: Searchlight Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LV4I2XCF4FC3ZIHRRZULLMMOJM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=19ec75fa14d1d89e0bd1b38872e8cc49bfec78c63670a550ee16f5384a0ff808&width=400&height=225)
Colin Farrell spent three to four hours to become the Penguin in 'The Batman'. Photo: Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SN23VSWMKJH7PKG3IXXUXPTBUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=540217849653f3eb671e65715163d340cb96f98a83d568708bedff55e41e7f23&width=400&height=225)
Along with dyeing and cutting her hair, Rooney Mara got real piercings on her face for her role in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' Photo: Columbia TriStar
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PAM666YIZ5GPZCDKCI5KPIHAIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b404b608cf67928b174afc14bb14c6ee7aa71d2f3573d7818276ce6f84743152&width=400&height=225)
Matthew McConaughey gained more than 18kg and was fitted with a balding toupee for his role in 'Gold'. Photo: Dimension Films
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N2LBN7WU2ZB7DPSTF4UDUD77KQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ac29be4de7e3f9450828a47733d8240136909a40e0ebc929ca86f9f19d6d7e61&width=400&height=225)
With shaved brows, a red wig and a prosthetic nose, Margot Robbie is unrecognisable as Queen Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen of Scots'. Photo: Focus Features
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SFCMZOVHTZTFFSW5EE6A4FCIZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c4bb9af8a955a9f7cadcff97e8b1af32ceeab0444b97f6b8c2843afd7771d13&width=400&height=225)
Sean Penn with co-star Julia Roberts in a scene from 'Gaslit.' Penn wore a full prosthetic face that included cheek and noses pieces to play former US Attorney General John Mitchell. Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle
14 of the most incredible actor transformations in film
From wigs and prosthetics to body suits, the props used by these actors to convey their characters raised each role to another level
Maán Jalal
02 August, 2022
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