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30 Before And After Shots That Show How Much Effort Is Put Into Hollywood SFX Makeup

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The amount of time and effort, sweat, and tears that go into making movies is impressive. Just take a look at the intricacies required in applying special effects makeup on Hollywood actors. Even characters who we think don’t need any professional makeup can take hours and hours to get ready for the set. Not to mention how much effort goes into making fantasy and sci-fi characters look believable.

To show you just how much work it takes to do Hollywood-tier makeup, we’ve collected some of the best before and after, as well as step-by-step pictures. For example, who knew that making Thorin Oakenshield look like, well, Thorin Oakenshield was a very involved process? And here we thought that putting on a wig was all it took!

Keep on scrolling, upvote your fave face transformation pics, and share them with your movie-loving friends. When you’re done, have a look at Bored Panda’s previous post about incredible pics of actors before and after applying special effects makeup.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Naomi Grossman, American Horror Story Series

Naomi Grossman, American Horror Story Series

Final score:

258points

Shireen 5 years ago

That is crazy!

41points

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#2

Robin Williams, Mrs Doubtfire

Robin Williams, Mrs Doubtfire

Final score:

248points

Phoebe Bean 5 years ago

Wonderful actor and sorely missed!

123points

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#3

Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Final score:

247points

desert29rat 5 years ago

That's an amazing transformation.

50points

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The life of a Hollywood movie makeup artist is difficult and involved, even if it’s exciting and purposeful. But makeup artists aren’t one homogenous group of professionals.

You have 4 main movie makeup artist roles. Starting with key makeup artists who design the makeup looks worn by the lead actors. In other words, they take care of the famous actors.

They also come up with the more complicated and intricate makeup designs and oversee other employees to make sure that there’s visual continuity and consistency in how the makeup looks throughout shooting the entire movie.

#4

Richard Brake, Game Of Thrones

Richard Brake, Game Of Thrones

Final score:

223points

Kaisu 5 years ago

I can't even imagine how long this must've taken!

44points

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#5

Charlize Theron, Monster

Charlize Theron, Monster

Final score:

218points

varwenea 5 years ago

She was unrecognizable. What a transformation.

64points

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#6

Doug Jones, Crimson Peak

Doug Jones, Crimson Peak

Final score:

218points

Amanda Avey 5 years ago

that's freakin terrifying....

71points

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Then there are your run-of-the-mill makeup artists who are responsible for making non-lead and supporting actors look good. They’re under orders to turn the key makeup artists’ visions into reality.

Of course, not much would be done without makeup assistants who help organize makeup kits, do other small but necessary tasks, and lend a hand to the artists with whatever they might need. They’re the unsung heroes of every movie.

Lastly, there are special effects makeup artists who probably have some of the coolest jobs in the movie industry. They create special makeup effects, such as prosthetics and the like.

#7

Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Final score:

212points

desert29rat 5 years ago

Amazing transformation and a great movie.

36points

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#8

Richard Armitage, The Hobbit

Richard Armitage, The Hobbit

Final score:

208points

Mimi M 5 years ago (edited)

If you mouse over it shows the actor and the movie.

12points

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#9

Danny DeVito, Batman Returns

Danny DeVito, Batman Returns

Final score:

204points

desert29rat 5 years ago

He was a great Penguin.

64points

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#10

Karen Gillan, Avengers

Karen Gillan, Avengers

Final score:

196points

Shireen 5 years ago (edited)

I'll never forget the video of her taking her wig off a Comic Con and no one had any idea why she was bald! 😂

58points

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#11

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator

Final score:

186points

Shireen 5 years ago

Stan Winston's team are still some of the best special effects makeup artists!

35points

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#12

Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool 2

Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool 2

Final score:

186points

Tee 5 years ago

Captain Deadpool...naw just Deadpool!

33points

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#13

Chris Hemsworth, Avengers Endgame

Chris Hemsworth, Avengers Endgame

Final score:

186points

Panda Kicki 5 years ago

Could you do this in reverse on me please? 😀

147points

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#14

Gary Oldman, Hannibal

Gary Oldman, Hannibal

Final score:

184points

Chyppa Homer 5 years ago

This dude can turn into anybody and he never ages. I call vampire ! In 1994, when he 'played' Dracula, I bet he wasn't even acting. They just filmed what he did on, like, a Wednesday, and that was the movie awesome !

124points

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#15

John Rhys-Davies, Lord Of The Rings

John Rhys-Davies, Lord Of The Rings

Final score:

183points

Panda Kicki 5 years ago

And he was allergic to the glue, that is dedication!

57points

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#16

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Final score:

181points

Phoebe Bean 5 years ago

Amazing actor and wonderful performance. A tragic loss.

80points

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#17

Ron Perlman, Hellboy

Ron Perlman, Hellboy

Final score:

176points

ADHORTATOR 5 years ago

The one and only Hellboy

98points

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#18

Ian Mckellen, Lord Of The Rings

Ian Mckellen, Lord Of The Rings

Final score:

175points

Lemon 5 years ago

OMG I LOVE GANDALF!!

4points

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#19

Tim Curry, Legend

Tim Curry, Legend

Final score:

173points

Iván Galarraga 5 years ago

Hey, without the horns Darkness have subwoofers

39points

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#20

Bill Skarsgård, It

Bill Skarsgård, It

Final score:

169points

Panda Kicki 5 years ago

But the rolling eye thing was hos own preformance! I loved that BP post 😂

53points

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#21

Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice

Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice

Final score:

167points

desert29rat 5 years ago

Great movie!

45points

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#22

Emma Thompson, Nanny Mcphee

Emma Thompson, Nanny Mcphee

Final score:

164points

desert29rat 5 years ago

Fun movie; "I did knock".

32points

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#23

Jacob Tremblay, Wonder

Jacob Tremblay, Wonder

Final score:

159points

Shireen 5 years ago

Adults being in makeup is one thing but a child is a completely different level...

48points

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#24

Roddy Mcdowall, Planet Of The Apes

Roddy Mcdowall, Planet Of The Apes

Final score:

157points

Shireen 5 years ago

RIP Roddy - John Chambers was a makeup effects master!

34points

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#25

Jim Carrey, How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Jim Carrey, How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Final score:

156points

desert29rat 5 years ago

He did make an excellent Grinch.

43points

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#26

Tilda Swinton, Grand Budapest Hotel

Tilda Swinton, Grand Budapest Hotel

Final score:

155points

Aria Whitaker 5 years ago

One of my Favs! Tilda rocks!!

24points

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#27

Eddie Redmayne, The Theory Of Everything

Eddie Redmayne, The Theory Of Everything

Final score:

152points

Sunzilla 5 years ago

Amazing performance by Redmayne.

31points

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#28

Josh Brolin, Deadpool 2

Josh Brolin, Deadpool 2

Final score:

149points

FloC 5 years ago

I think that he was much younger on the first picture. Which doesn't make the make-up job less amazing.

17points

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#29

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Final score:

149points

desert29rat 5 years ago

Too real for me.

41points

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#30

Angelina Jolie, Maleficent

Angelina Jolie, Maleficent

Final score:

138points

Shireen 5 years ago

Very subtle but SO effective!

37points

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Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Jonas Grinevičius

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

anonymous

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think ?

Demi Zwaan 5 years ago

I'm most amazed at the ones where you didn't even notice they had any prosthetics on. They look so natural, with very subtle changes that really drive the character home.

28points

Dave P 5 years ago

This shows how talented the men and women of the make-up, wardrobe and physical effects teams on films are. They should get much more recognition than just one little oscar for their whole job. I am amazed and impressed by their talent

18points

Spikey Bunny 5 years ago

Yes!!!!

0points

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Drive Bee 5 years ago

I wonder how hot and uncomfortable it is under all of that? It must feel so good to get it all removed at the end of the day.

17points

M.J. 5 years ago

For sure, but must be real fun to wear it and also weird to see yourself like that in the mirror.

8points

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Shireen 5 years ago

Back in the 30s - 60s is was extremely uncomfortable, a lot of people had allergic reactions to the makeup and some of them wouldn't be able to eat with the makeup on. These days it's basically harmless. Probably the most uncomfortable part is the actors having their face cast, if they haven't already.

4points

Aunt Messy 5 years ago

Worse, it takes hours to put that makeup on, then the actors work an entire day and spend another couple of hours having it all taken off. It's not an easy job at all.

2points

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

And it takes almost as long to get it off, so it can be reused.

0points

RolandD 4 years ago

I'm also curios how long takes every makeup...

0points

DANNY DIVITO 5 years ago

its acting so whatcha gotta do ya gotta do

-1point

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Demi Zwaan 5 years ago

I'm most amazed at the ones where you didn't even notice they had any prosthetics on. They look so natural, with very subtle changes that really drive the character home.

28points

Dave P 5 years ago

This shows how talented the men and women of the make-up, wardrobe and physical effects teams on films are. They should get much more recognition than just one little oscar for their whole job. I am amazed and impressed by their talent

18points

Spikey Bunny 5 years ago

Yes!!!!

0points

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Drive Bee 5 years ago

I wonder how hot and uncomfortable it is under all of that? It must feel so good to get it all removed at the end of the day.

17points

M.J. 5 years ago

For sure, but must be real fun to wear it and also weird to see yourself like that in the mirror.

8points

Load More Replies...

Shireen 5 years ago

Back in the 30s - 60s is was extremely uncomfortable, a lot of people had allergic reactions to the makeup and some of them wouldn't be able to eat with the makeup on. These days it's basically harmless. Probably the most uncomfortable part is the actors having their face cast, if they haven't already.

4points

Aunt Messy 5 years ago

Worse, it takes hours to put that makeup on, then the actors work an entire day and spend another couple of hours having it all taken off. It's not an easy job at all.

2points

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

And it takes almost as long to get it off, so it can be reused.

0points

RolandD 4 years ago

I'm also curios how long takes every makeup...

0points

DANNY DIVITO 5 years ago

its acting so whatcha gotta do ya gotta do

-1point

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