Biopics put a lot of pressure on actors. They have to copy the real person’s mannerisms and way of speaking. But it’s not just them—makeup artists also have a tough job. They have to make an actor look like someone famous, and if they don’t get it right, people will notice. These transformations, though, were spot on!
Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland Renée Zellweger is known for changing her look for roles. She gained and lost weight for Bridget Jones’s Diary. For Judy, she sat in the makeup chair for two hours every day, wearing prosthetics, wigs, and contacts. Her effort paid off—she won an Oscar for the role.
Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart Hilary Swank played Amelia Earhart in Amelia. She didn’t need much makeup, but the biggest change was cutting her hair short, which she then donated to cancer patients. She now encourages others to do the same.
Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac Shakur Thousands auditioned to play Tupac in All Eyez on Me, but Demetrius Shipp Jr. was a clear choice. He looked so much like Tupac that his coworkers even called him “Pac” before he got the role.
Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles Jamie Foxx’s performance as Ray Charles in Ray was unforgettable. He lost 30 pounds and even glued his eyes shut to experience blindness. His dedication won him an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
Emma Stone as Billie Jean King Emma Stone trained hard to play tennis legend Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes. She gained 15 pounds of muscle and learned to play tennis, along with getting a spray tan and a new hairstyle.
Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly For Bombshell, Charlize Theron spent three hours daily on makeup, wearing prosthetics and contact lenses. The hardest part? Getting Megyn’s eyes just right.
Taron Egerton as Elton John Taron Egerton changed his whole look for Rocketman. He dyed his hair, shaved his hairline, and wore sideburns. The transformation was so good, many didn’t recognize him.
These actors and makeup artists worked hard to bring real-life people to the screen. Their efforts made these roles unforgettable.