people.com
It seems that acting is a job that requires its employees to maintain standards of conventional beauty, or beyond. Ridiculously gorgeous people flock to towns like Los Angeles and New York in hopes that not only will their acting talents help aid them in a career, but their good looks as well. But when a person, who is so beautiful, decides to take the plunge and “de-glamorify” (yes, I just made that word up) themselves for a role, it not only takes courage, but strength. I couldn’t voluntarily put on 30 pounds for a job, I hardly wanted to do it when I was pregnant; however, they are usually awarded with critical and commercial accolades.
Here is my own personal list of 8 glamorous actresses that have excelled in non-glamorous roles. Also, let me know if I missed someone, or missed the mark entirely!
Source: lifeishotincracktownthemovie.com
Kerry Washington in Life is Hot in Cracktown
I fell in love with this movie within the first few disturbing seconds of watching it. It’s gritty portrayal of drugs’ affect on an inner city was not only realistic, but like moving poetry… but I digress. One of the things that made this movie stand out for me was Kerry Washington’s portrayal as Marybeth/Mickey. Washington plays a pre-op transsexual, drug addicted prostitute, and she did it so well!
Monique in Precious
How could we have this topic and not mention Monique’s character in Precious? May I add, I almost had to see the movie twice because I kept on getting lost in the yellow, buttery fields of her teeth on the big screen. That grime was hypnotic!
usmagazine.com
Mariah Carey in Precious
OKAY! Hear me out here! Now, I KNOW that Mariah Carey is not considered an actress, but could you really tell me that the Queen Butterfly didn’t de-glam herself? Getting rid of her honey blonde streaked hair, flawless makeup, twelve year old inspired garbs and six inch spikes? The girl took it down a notch and was successful at it!
Charlize Theron in Monster
What do you get when you take a former model and ballet dancer, add 30 pounds, over four hours of makeup and the true story of a serial killer prostitute? You get award winning gold, I tell ya! Charlize Theron not only took home an Oscar, but also my admiration to be able to willingly move away from glamorous roles. And honestly, isn’t my admiration the greatest reward? J/K!
en.wikipedia.org
Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
I’m embarrassed to admit that when I first saw this movie when I was about twelve or so, Bette Davis’ character gave me nightmares. Just her ragged appearance, and her attempt to hold on to her fleeting past with these corpse-like, determined fingers scared me. Bette Davis, who was a beauty, made her appearance rival the Crypt Keeper’s even before Tales from the Crypt popped on television.
communityflixster.com
Halle Berry in Losing Isaiah and Jungle Fever
Last, but certainly not least: When I saw Losing Isaiah as a child I remember crying so hard because you couldn’t TELL me that Halle Berry wasn’t a crackhead! She was so convincing, so much so that when she was at an award’s show, being her normal pretty self, I refused to believe that was her.
Halle Berry has gone to the lengths of not combing her hair, refusing to bathe, and losing weight to portrayal the gritty roles that make her so versatile in the movie business.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Uma Thurman in Kill Bill Vol. 1(The very first scene)
When she is laying on the ground, all bloodied, scared and dreading the footsteps of her ex lover approaching her, there wasn’t a single hint of glamour in that face. Good job, Uma!!
Hey! Let’s not forget the fellas! It’s might not be easy for them to get those hot six pack abs, but it might be even harder to do those gritty roles as well!
Jamie Foxx in The Soloist
I don’t really know what was going on on Jamie’s hair, but his moving portrayal made me forget all about it. Until a lady in the audience yelled how she wanted to have his babies, and that took me completely out of the movie!
anavartha.blogspot.com
Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
It’s crazy to think that around the time that he was appearing in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Leonardo’s picture was on many teens’ and tweens’ (including my own, not going to lie) wall as a sex symbol.
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