17 Celebs Who Went Ugly For a Role (And Looked Better Doing It)
Hollywood is a town known for its glitz and glamour. Being a celebrity means you're always in the spotlight, whether it's on the big screen, red carpet, or promotional tours; everyone's watching you.
Tinseltown is a city that places an emphasis on a person's looks. Celebrities are often dieting and exercising in order to ensure that they have a career in Hollywood. While a majority of film and television roles require an actor to bulk up or slim down, there are other times when they have to do the opposite.
Depending on the plot of the show or movie, an actor may have to change their appearance to play a character. This often requires the celebrity to make themselves ugly. Whether they're gaining or losing weight, cutting their hair, or wearing prosthetics; these stars go above and beyond for the sake of their work.
Lots of stars have transformed themselves from beauties to dowdy in order to get into the role. Celebrities have shown they have not problem altering their appearance. The change in appearance may make the star unrecognizable, but in the end the transformation turns out for the better.
17 Jennifer Aniston: Didn't Have To 'Cake' On The Makeup
When her hit show Friends came to an end in 2004, Jennifer Aniston was ready to start her movie career. She'd always been known as a comedic actress because of friends and her romance films, but Aniston wanted to broaden her range.
Her first chance at drama came in the 2002 movie The Good Girl. But it's her role in 2014's Cake that really stood out. As the character of Claire Bennett, Jennifer had to make a few modifications. She traded her blonde highlights for a darker do as she played a mother dealing with the aftermath of a tragic.
With her brunette hairstyle, little makeup, and dowdy clothing; Aniston pulled off the emotional role perfectly. Critics loved her performance and she was nominated for a SAG and Golden Globe during awards season.
16 Margot Robbie: Special Effects Transformed Her Into A Disgraced Figure Skater
Margot Robbie is no stranger to dressing up when a role calls for her. Last year, for her role as Harley Quinn in The Suicide Squad the actress had to apply white makeup and add colorful streaks to her hair to play the villain.
For her next role as infamous figure skater Tonya Harding, Margot had to endure hours in the makeup chair. According to reports, for the upcoming movie, makeup artists used prosthetic teeth, contour cosmetics, and adhesive glue around the eyes. While the makeup process was strenuous, the artists did an excellent job of transforming Margot into Tonya.
Robbie's hard work to play the disgraced athlete is creating buzz within the film industry. As star and producer of the independent film, Margot Robbie could be on her way to winning a slew of honors come award season.
15 Matt Damon: Didn't Wear A Fat Suit, Packed On The Pounds Instead
Throughout his career, Matt Damon has never had to change his appearance for a film. But that all changed with the 2009 movie The Informant.
When Damon won the role of Mark Whitacre, the actor underwent a transformation which included gaining 30 pounds, growing a mustache, and wearing a toupee. After all that work, Matt's transformation was complete and he bore a striking resemblance to the real Mark Whitacre. Damon's uncanny appearance helped with the comedic theme of the biographical film. As with all of Damon's movies, his role in The Informant was a hit with critics and even earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Despite the geeky appearance of the character, you have to admit Matt Damon was rather nice looking in his Informant role. It goes to show that no matter what the star looks like, he'll be a hit with the critics and the ladies.
14 Jared Leto: His Weight Gain Caused Him Major Health Problems
Jared Leto has a reputation as a weird actor. As a method actor, he's known to do anything for a role. One example of his method acting came with his role as The Joker, to get into character as the villain Leto reportedly kept to himself and didn't talk to his cast-mates.
But it was Leto's role in the 2007 film Chapter 27 in which he drastically changed his appearance. The normally lean actor gained over 60 pounds to play Mark David Chapman. Jared looked almost unrecognizable with his weight gain along with a wig and glasses.
Jared received praise from critics for his dedication to the role; however the actor suffered from a string of health problems. His weight gain caused him to be diagnosed with gout. Following the end of filming, the actor went on a diet to lose the extra pounds. Even though he suffered a health scare, you have to admire Jared for his method acting.
13 Cameron Diaz: Went From A Blonde Beauty To A Frumpy Housewife
During the early stages of her career, Cameron Diaz was best known for her comedy performances in The Mask and There's Something About Mary. Her roles in the films made the blonde beauty a breakout star.
Yet, like many actresses, Diaz wanted to stray away from the comedic characters. In 1999, the actress got a chance to show off her serious side in Being John Malkovich. As the wife of John Cusack, Diaz ditched her famous blonde locks for a brunette frizzy perm. To cap off her look, the actress dressed in sweaters and turtles necks to make her character frumpy.
The actress received acclaim for her role as an unhappy wife and it help cement Cameron's status that she was more than a pretty face, although you have to admit she still did look good in the movie.
12 Maisie Williams: Altered Her Look To Get Her Big Break
Game of Thrones is one of HBO's top shows. While Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington may get more recognition for their work, there's one star who's quietly stealing the show. Maisie Williams, who plays Jon Snow's half-sister Arya Stark, has become popular with the show's fans.
At just the young age of fourteen, Maisie was cast in the HBO show. Arya Stark has been described as a tomboy character, so when Maisie Williams landed the big role, she had to endure just a slight transformation. The actress' brown locks were cut into a shorter do to give off the impression that she was a boy, which fit with Arya's first season storyline.
Maisie's short hairdo didn't last long before she was allowed to grow it out again. But her tomboyish look for the first season helped both Maisie and the Arya character to become breakout stars on Game of Thrones.
11 Renee Zellweger: Gained Major Weight To Play British Beloved Literary Character
As one of Hollywood's beloved actresses Renee Zellweger has shown versatility shines brightly on the big screen. Whether she's playing a pioneer woman in Cold Mountain or belching out tunes as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Zellweger's performances light up the screen. But her most famous character is Bridget Jones.
When Helen Fielding's popular book was adapted into a film, Zellweger was cast in the role of the quirky, unlucky in love Bridget Jones. Not only did Renee had to learn to speak with a British accent, she also gained weight for the role. She would have to go through this routine again for the film's two sequels.
While it wasn't much of a transformation, we have to say Zellweger's weight gain made her look cute and helped certify her as Bridget Jones.
10 America Ferrera: Definitely Went 'Ugly' To Play Betty
When the lead character of a show has ugly in her name, you know you have to alter your appearance for the role. America Ferrera did just that when she was cast as Ugly Betty.
For five years, Ferraro had to wear braces, glasses, bangs, and hideous clothes to play the lovable Betty Suarez. Betty was portrayed as a nerd, who gets a job as an assistant at a fashion magazine. Ferraro's comedic timing along with her new look made the character and the show a rousing hit.
America Ferraro became Hollywood's newest breakout star thanks to Ugly Betty. During the show's first season, the actress won a Golden Globe and Emmy for her work on the show. Although, the character was referred to as ugly, America Ferrera made Betty a beautiful person.
9 Russell Crowe: Downhill From There…
By the late 90s, Russell Crowe was making his mark as Hollywood's next leading man. The Aussie heartthrob had already garnered the ladies' attention, but the question was could he act. In the 1999 film The Insider, Crowe showed why he was a force to be reckoned with.
For the role of Jeffrey Wigand, Crowe underwent an alteration. By feasting on junk food, he packed on over 30 pounds. Aside from his weight gain, he dyed his hair and underwent hours of makeup to make him look older.
Crowe's transformation into the real life character of Jeffrey Wigand earned him national acclaim. Following the film's release, Crowe was nominated for his first Academy Award. After his performance in The Insider, Russell Crowe quickly became one of the most sought actors in Tinseltown.
8 Nicole Kidman: Most People Didn't Even Realize It Was Her
During the early years of her career, Nicole Kidman was known more for being the wife of Tom Cruise than her acting. Although, she made lots of movies, the actress' relationship was the central focus of the Hollywood crowd. But following her 2001 divorce from Cruise, Kidman was on a mission to reignite her career.
A string of hit movies showed Hollywood why Nicole Kidman their next leading lady. Her biggest performance came in 2002, when she was cast as Virginia Woolf for the film The Hours. The actress ditched her glamour appearance for a more subdue look. Wearing a prosthetic nose and ditching her red hair for a darker brown shade, Kidman gave a dramatic performance as the troubled author. The film became a critically acclaimed success and earned the actress an Oscar.
Whether she's appearing onscreen as herself or transforming her look, Nicole Kidman is undoubtedly one of the town's best actresses.
7 Gwyneth Paltrow: Changed Her Look For A Box-Office Bomb
For the movie Shallow Hal, Paltrow had to done a fat suit to play Jack Black's love interest. At the time, Paltrow was known as a dramatic actress and not a comedic one. But when the Farrelly Brothers cast the blonde beauty for the 2001 movie, she had to undergo a transformation.
For the role of Rosemary Shanahan, Paltrow was fitted with a fat suit. The Oscar-winning actress showed why she was a good choice for the movie. Her comedic skills along with her appearance, made audiences fall in love with Rosemary's character.
Paltrow later revealed in media interviews that she used to wear the suit out in public. Unrecognizable to the crowds, Paltrow received obscene comments about her weight. Even though Gwyneth was fat shamed while wearing the suit in public, onscreen she was adorable with her new look.
6 Emma Thompson: Ugly Nanny Turned Huge Hit
One of England's most well-acclaimed actresses is Emma Thompson. The award-winning actress is known more for her dramatic films, but has shown she's not afraid to step out of her comfort zone. The actress has done a few comedic roles along with a bunch of children's movies.
When she landed the role as the title character of Nanny McPhee for the 2005 film, the actress had to alter her appearance. For the portrayal of the magical nanny, Thompson donned a gray wig, prosthetic teeth, and special effects makeup which included hairy moles. When Thompson appeared onscreen as her character, it was a shock seeing her frumpy look.
Thompson's transformation into Nanny McPhee made her a hit with kids and parents. The film went on to over $100 million at the box office and Thompson became the go to actress for many more children's films.
5 Charlize Theron: Monster Transformation Snagged Her An Oscar
Charlize Theron is one of Hollywood's most beautiful women. So why would she want to make herself ugly?
Like many actors, Theron changed up her appearance for the sake of a role. When she was cast in the 2003 movie Monster, she underwent a drastic transformation. To get into the role of Alieen Wuornos, the actress gained nearly thirty pounds and wore prosthetic teeth. To cap off the character's look, Theron had to deal with a new stringy, unwashed hairstyle.
Charlize's transformation to glamour girl to a serial killer stunned audiences. When word spread of Theron's appearance, people flocked to see the film. And they weren't disappointed. Her performance was applauded by the public and by movie critics. Charlize Theron's dedication to her portrayal earned the actress an Oscar along with the title of being one of Tinseltown's newest leading ladies.
4 Christian Bale: Added The Pounds To Become A Hustler
Bale is an actor who isn't afraid to transform himself for a role. He lost an incredible amount of weight for the films The Machinist and The Fighter. His gaunt appearance was startling, yet earned him plenty of acclaim.
In the 2013, Bale went in the opposite direction and bulked up for his role as Irving Rosenfeld. The actor gained almost forty pounds by eating junk food to play the overweight Irving. In one scene, the actor's protruding belly was on full focus as he lounged in shorts and an open shirt.
Aside from his big belly, the actor also had to deal with being bald and wearing a horrendous toupee, not to mention 70s style clothing. As with his other transformations in films, this one earned Bale more critical acclaim. Plus, we have to say Bale looked quite good as the hustling con artist.
3 Katy Mixon: Had To Strap On The Fat Suit Every Day
For six years, Katy Mixon played Melissa McCarthy's younger sister on the sitcom Mike & Molly. As the character of Victoria, Mixon was the exact opposite of Molly in the physical and personality sense. But for her next role, Mixon would have to make a slight change to her appearance.
A few months after the end of Mike & Molly, Katy was cast as the lead in American Housewife. For her role as Katie Otto, Mixon had to don a fat suit to play the suburban wife and mother. As the frumpy, loud mouth housewife, Mixon performance has earned her plenty of admiration from television critics.
Thanks to Katy's transformation, she finally has a chance to shine as the star in a show instead of being a supporting character. ABC has found a hit with Katy Mixon as their American Housewife.
2 Tom Cruise: Scientologist Turned Gross Agent
When it was announced that there would be a remake to the musical Hairspray, everyone wondered who'd be cast in the film. One of the first casting announcements made was John Travolta in the role of Edna Turnblad. The news was met with mixed reviews, yet Travolta would prove that he was the right choice for the role.
In order to get into the role of Tracy's mother, Travolta had to be fitted with a fat suit along with a 60s hairstyle. Not only did Travolta look the character, but his impressive dancing and singing captured the audience's attention.
Critics were so in love with Travolta as Edna that the actor scored a Golden Globe nomination. Although, he didn't win the award, John Travolta's performance as Hairspray's Edna Turnblad will always be divine.