Makeup can't hide a bad performance, but it can certainly amplify a good one. That's evident in the superb makeup jobs done throughout sci-fi and fantasy film history. Whether it's horrible disfigurements, creepy monsters or demon-possessed little girls, makeup artists went above and beyond (and then some) to completely transform the actors playing these characters.
Here's a run-down of 10 makeup jobs that were so good, audiences forgot who the actor was underneath. For those considering a job as a Hollywood makeup artist, let these examples serve as inspiration when it comes to limitless imagination!
Tim Curry As Darkness (Legend / 1985)
Tim Curry is the kind of actor who can bounce from one extreme to the other, and crank out a knockout performance each and every time. He's played everything from an eccentric transvestite, to the unsettling Pennywise The Clown, but his role as the living embodiment of Satan stands the test of time as one of his greatest performances.
This is of course, thanks largely to a dynamite makeup job. It's difficult to tell that it's Curry under the red face paint, fangs, lenses and horns - all of which empower his delivery. According to director Ridley Scott, Curry found the costume irritating and frustrating, until he happened to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and loved what he saw.
Rebecca Romijn As Mystique (X-Men / 2000)
Mystique is a character that was designed from the ground up to be different, in every conceivable way. She can't walk down the street like a normal person, due to her blue skin, glimmering yellow eyes and a lack of conventional clothing. Audiences wouldn't catch a glimpse of Romijn as her true self until X-Men 2, where she used her mutant shapeshifting abilities to disguise herself.
While not entirely accurate to the comics, her role as Mystique is considered top notch by X-Men fans. If nobody was told who the actress was underneath all the blue paint, it would be extremely hard to guess.
Linda Blair As Regan MacNeil (The Exorcist / 1973)
Somehow, director William Friedkin managed to convince Linda Blair's parents to greenlight her starring as the role of a little girl possessed by an ancient, evil demon. Then, he managed to find a makeup crew talented enough to turn her from a sweet little girl into a grotesque figment of people's nightmares.
Regan's transformation into her warped Pazuzu form is gradual, and continues up right to the final scene. Audiences lose the ability to recognize actress Linda Blair about halfway through the film, however. Even in those early stages, her old visage and appearance disappears.
Heath Ledger As The Joker (The Dark Knight / 2008)
There are a number of factors that make Heath Ledger unrecognizable as the Joker in Christopher Nolan's lauded The Dark Knight, including the makeup, the accent, and of course, the personality. Ledger's performance is now the stuff of legend, but it's the makeup that truly gives him a comfortable space to unleash his inner psychopath.
From the white face paint, to the sunken eyes and green hair, Ledger is nowhere to be found. Only a key scene in the film where the Joker poses as a policeman gives audiences a glimpse at the actor underneath the face paint.
Gary Oldman As Mason Verger (Hannibal / 2001)
The grotesque appearance of the horribly scarred and disfigured Mason Verger in Hannibal is one of the best makeup jobs ever accomplished, bar none. It's chillingly realistic in a way that makes audiences squirm, each time.
Verger was scarred beyond recognition after getting high on drugs, and taking some less-than-helpful advice from Dr. Hannibal Lecter to begin slicing off pieces of his face. What's left is a blistered, rubbery mass of scar tissue devoid of lips, a nose and eyelids. It's horrendous to look at.
Robert Picardo As Meg Mucklebones (Legend / 1985)
No, you're not seeing things. That is actually Legend. Under the makeup, it's impossible to tell that it's Picardo, even by way of voice. The actor throws everything he's got into selling this creepy, spine-chilling swamp witch.
It's easy to tell that Picardo had a lot of fun playing the character, and she remains one of the most memorable of the entire film. It's yet another example of how Ridley Scott served up fantasy horror that ended up creeping audiences out!
Eric Stoltz As Rocky Dennis (Mask / 1985)
Eric Stoltz churned out a great performance as Rocky Dennis, a boy afflicted with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia. The makeup job done on Stoltz allowed the character to truly play out the struggles faced by the real life Roy L. Dennis.
Those who haven't seen Mask should definitely seek it out, as it challenges the notions of internal bias and prejudice, while acting as an inspiring vehicle for those who are more than capable of winning, despite physical handicaps.
Reggie Nalder As Kurt Barlow (Salem's Lot / 1979)
This makeup job is so good that nobody on Earth would be able to guess the actor, unless they were told. Reggie Nalder's take on Stephen King's most lethal Type One vampire is nothing short of heart-stopping, and remains one of, if not the most frightening depiction of a vampire ever committed to film.
While the 2004 Salem's Lot miniseries would showcase Kurt Barlow as a normal looking human being, the 1979 version went straight for the throat (no pun intended), and gave plenty of audiences reason to lock their windows at night!
Frank Langella As Skeletor (Masters Of The Universe / 1987)
According to rumor, Frank Langella thoroughly loved portraying the villainous Skeletor in the live-action adaptation of Masters Of The Universe. It's not hard to see why, especially with such a great makeup job to work with!
Although it's a bit lacking by today's standards, Langella still remains largely unrecognizable as the evil sorcerer. It allowed him to turn out a dynamite performance, and even gave him inspiration to write a few of his own lines, such as "Tell me about the loneliness of good, He-Man! Is it equal to the loneliness of evil?"
Ray Park As Darth Maul (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace / 1999)
It's amazing what some good face paint, a pair of yellow s and a head full of horns can do for an actor. Ray Park is difficult to recognize as Darth Maul in the 1999 Star Wars prequel film The Phantom Menace.
With little in the way to hamper him (including dialogue), Park was able to focus exclusively on his dazzling martial arts skills in a duel for the history books. Comparing his look to other roles in films such as X-Men creates a striking difference. It's hard to tell that the actor played both roles.
