Jared Leto, Tom Cruise and other actors who changed beyond recognition for movie roles

It is usually difficult for people to decide to make drastic changes in their appearance. For example, cutting off half of your hair. Actors, on the other hand, often shave off all their hair to play convincingly. Moreover, they are not afraid to be "disfigured" by makeup.

Read OBOZREVATEL's article about the stunning transformations of actors in cult films.

• Tilda Swinton

British actress Tilda Swinton played two roles at once - the witch Helena Marcos (without significant changes in her appearance) and Dr. Josef Klemperer (changed beyond recognition) in Suspiria (2018). It took makeup artists at least four hours to create the male look. Special prostheses were used to make the neck and jaw of the screen character look massive. In addition, for this role, Tilda asked for a false reproductive organ to be made to get used to the role as much as possible.

• Gary Oldman

English film actor and director Gary Oldman agreed to change his appearance for the role in the film Dark Times (2017). The celebrity played former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This transformation brought him his first Oscar.

• Charlize Theron

American film actress and producer Charlize Theron played the serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the movie Monster (2003). In preparation for this role, she gained 13 kilograms. In addition, the star wore a prosthesis on set that changed her overbite. Thanks to this amazing transformation, Charlize won her first Oscar.

• Jared Leto

American actor and 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto starred in the high-profile 2021 film House of Gucci. He took on the role of Paolo Gucci, an Italian businessman and fashion designer who was the chief designer and vice president of the Gucci Fashion House. The actor's character is a 60-year-old man with bald patches and gray hair. Jared is difficult to recognizd due to tones of makeup.

• Tom Cruise

American film actor, director and producer Tom Cruise usually plays a man who saves the world from trouble. His role in the parody comedy Tropic Thunder (2008) was unexpected for the audience. Tom "transformed" into producer Les Grossman, with a bald spot and thick body hair. In an interview, the actor said that he agreed to star in this film on one condition, which is to be as unlike himself as possible.

• Rooney Mara

American actress Rooney Mara starred in the movie The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011). The star got the main role of Lisbeth Salander. For the on-screen character, the celebrity lost weight, shaved her head, bleached her eyebrows and made several piercings.

• Marion Cotillard

French theater, television, and film actress Marion Cotillard changed beyond recognition in the film La Vie en Rose (2007). She played the legendary French singer and actress Edith Piaf. For this role, she received an Oscar. In preparation for the shoot, Marion decided to completely shave off her eyebrows and partially shave her head hair. Moreover, in order to sing and speak like Piaf, she lowered her voice by several tones.