Movies: 5 most drastic actor transformations

Roles don’t always come packaged in bronzed ripped figures and perfect white teeth. Embodying serious roles takes serious commitment and these five thespians went the extra mile and a half to undergo drastic transformations, inside and out.

 

 1. Christian Bale in “The Machinist”

Drawing comparisons with the great DeNiro in “Raging Bull,” Christian Bale’s extreme transformation is as shocking and twisted as the plot of the psychological thriller.

 2. Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club”

Saying goodbye, albeit temporarily, to his usual god-like physique must have been excruciating. Yet, embodying an AIDS-stricken cowboy, McConaughey lost a hefty 20kg to lend an element of realism to the role.

 3. Jared Leto in “Dallas Buyers Club”

Jared Leto went through many ups and downs with his body weight to personify extreme roles, and this time the metamorphosis takes the form of a feisty, no-nonsense transgender woman. She is quite the looker, if we may say so ourselves.

4. Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder”

Playing a balding middle-aged man with an overactive sweat gland and bad dance moves to boot, Tom Cruise took a departure from his usual cool, calm and collected persona for a quirky cameo in the comedy blockbuster.

5. John Travolta in “Hairspray”

Revisiting the golden era once again in “Hairspray,” this time Travolta sheds his slick high school bad boy image to portray a motherly figure. Travolta shows his acting chops by infusing maternal charm to his role.

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