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Playing real-life serial killer, Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 film, 'Monster' won Charlize Theron a Best Actress Oscar. AP Photo, Courtesy Newmarket Films
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKBQD7RTYSDUOS7A3R4IZQ4WBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=60a10446927fb8581f61bfc7517d59e4e9eba4775c704d683ff6a559fa43065a&width=400&height=225)
British star, Christian Bale transformed into former US vice president, Dick Cheney for 2018's 'Vice'. Getty Images / Annapurna Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PDAUIGIM5QLRVRWOGWH3OL46ZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a13cbcfe206ab61d79239198f626274bda40ea0de813b9d86f63513ea477ad7&width=400&height=225)
Irish actor, Colin Farrell is unrecognisable as Oswald Cobblepot AKA The Penguin in 'The Batman', due for release in 2022. Getty Images, Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MSY24Y7FYD3AXEK3L3MKJY4OKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=efd067ad352ca4132f12f73fc83d1e2114efbb64642b32d3a81dc507f629047a&width=400&height=225)
Scottish star, Ewan McGregor aged a few years and saw his hairline recede for his role as Emmit Stussy in Netflix's 'Fargo'. Getty Images, Netflix
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XRTB4AP776A5UNNP5ZU7KJ5GVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=82ee4e40f326cfc03a6f1553ab963b15899c9f887dc412415ce75d7a7e2bd760&width=400&height=225)
Tom Cruise shocked and wowed fans when he transformed into foul-mouthed studio head, Len Grossman, in 2008's hilarious 'Tropic Thunder'. AP Photo, Paramount Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NJGECDHPCLRGRY4PLKM653O4Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bc4120217b4b1b650df7a621d0ac3100b5482cd2b076bd5d55f1fbd1cbda496&width=400&height=225)
British actress Tilda Swinton showed her versatility by playing a man in 2018 film, 'Suspiria'. EPA, K Period Media
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Rooney Mara was unrecognisable as computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander in 2011 film, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. Getty Images, Nordisk Film
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3VQBFQPE76L6VARHWA4BUB5PPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=83a59dbba427de477f35f495a36fd01a6ec7449e19aacc05da78d128e212bb77&width=400&height=225)
Oscar-winner Matt Damon went on a weight gain diet to play the hapless Mark Whitacre in 2009's 'The Informant'. Getty Images, IMDB
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EJZWMBBJRP7O4NUOK47NKJI6PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7562abb756dd0de11fa59b9f0e0621d3e0460e2963dd9da511e91c31dea2d65b&width=400&height=225)
American actor, Jared Leto piled on the weight to play John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman in 2007's 'Chapter 27'. Reuters, Photofest
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Gary Oldman won a Best Actor Oscar for portraying Winston Churchill in 2017's 'Darkest Hour'. Reuters, Courtesy Focus Features
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Playing real-life serial killer, Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 film, 'Monster' won Charlize Theron a Best Actress Oscar. AP Photo, Courtesy Newmarket Films
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKBQD7RTYSDUOS7A3R4IZQ4WBY.jpg?smart=true&auth=60a10446927fb8581f61bfc7517d59e4e9eba4775c704d683ff6a559fa43065a&width=400&height=225)
British star, Christian Bale transformed into former US vice president, Dick Cheney for 2018's 'Vice'. Getty Images / Annapurna Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PDAUIGIM5QLRVRWOGWH3OL46ZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a13cbcfe206ab61d79239198f626274bda40ea0de813b9d86f63513ea477ad7&width=400&height=225)
Irish actor, Colin Farrell is unrecognisable as Oswald Cobblepot AKA The Penguin in 'The Batman', due for release in 2022. Getty Images, Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MSY24Y7FYD3AXEK3L3MKJY4OKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=efd067ad352ca4132f12f73fc83d1e2114efbb64642b32d3a81dc507f629047a&width=400&height=225)
Scottish star, Ewan McGregor aged a few years and saw his hairline recede for his role as Emmit Stussy in Netflix's 'Fargo'. Getty Images, Netflix
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XRTB4AP776A5UNNP5ZU7KJ5GVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=82ee4e40f326cfc03a6f1553ab963b15899c9f887dc412415ce75d7a7e2bd760&width=400&height=225)
Tom Cruise shocked and wowed fans when he transformed into foul-mouthed studio head, Len Grossman, in 2008's hilarious 'Tropic Thunder'. AP Photo, Paramount Pictures
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5NJGECDHPCLRGRY4PLKM653O4Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bc4120217b4b1b650df7a621d0ac3100b5482cd2b076bd5d55f1fbd1cbda496&width=400&height=225)
British actress Tilda Swinton showed her versatility by playing a man in 2018 film, 'Suspiria'. EPA, K Period Media
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BNGWKJNOEU7JGBGMU5CJ4MZFT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=33d0329db0e26056d3d498c74f6435dfe6ef06f9ea79ca94d48c8e33ea81652a&width=400&height=225)
Rooney Mara was unrecognisable as computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander in 2011 film, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. Getty Images, Nordisk Film
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3VQBFQPE76L6VARHWA4BUB5PPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=83a59dbba427de477f35f495a36fd01a6ec7449e19aacc05da78d128e212bb77&width=400&height=225)
Oscar-winner Matt Damon went on a weight gain diet to play the hapless Mark Whitacre in 2009's 'The Informant'. Getty Images, IMDB
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EJZWMBBJRP7O4NUOK47NKJI6PQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7562abb756dd0de11fa59b9f0e0621d3e0460e2963dd9da511e91c31dea2d65b&width=400&height=225)
American actor, Jared Leto piled on the weight to play John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman in 2007's 'Chapter 27'. Reuters, Photofest
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFUKVM4QSITCILXY6OIHMIIJ5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=15a16e825899dc9ab6fc10cc90fb663a2de51a5d9c4729b44f7236be4451b4c2&width=400&height=225)
Gary Oldman won a Best Actor Oscar for portraying Winston Churchill in 2017's 'Darkest Hour'. Reuters, Courtesy Focus Features
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KEP3LBVZW5WHFETNY4Y3HM4O7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=19da9da43d2fbc0e62f6179f0814e584721b706a91cedc33950ff494b33eb661&width=400&height=225)
Playing real-life serial killer, Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 film, 'Monster' won Charlize Theron a Best Actress Oscar. AP Photo, Courtesy Newmarket Films
Tom Cruise to Charlize Theron: 10 stars who made themselves unrecognisable for a film role
Drinking ice-cream, hours in the make-up chair and pizza every night – how Hollywood stars completely changed their appearance for their films
Gemma White
14 October, 2020
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