Acting is, at its most basic level, is about convincingly pretending to be somebody else. It's why Leonardo DiCaprio, at the recent U.N .Climate Summit address famously said: "I pretend for a living." Some actors do this by disappearing into a role metaphorically (see: Daniel Day-Lewis and Joaquin Phoenix), while others do it by literally disappearing behind pounds of makeup, prosthetics, and CGI.
This is a list about the latter category.
The actors below showcase those rare examples (from bit-part cameos to leading roles), where famous faces hide so completely that unless somebody told you beforehand, you probably wouldn't be able to guess the actor in question. Alternately, the makeup may have become so iconic, it's a surprise when the actor isn't wearing it. Not only is this list serves as a testament to the actors, but the wizardry of movie make-up artists and visual effects designers that often helps them to achieve such anonymity. Because there's no easier way to the Academy or audience's hearts, than when an actor voluntarily going ugly.
You'll agree with us when Steve Carell gets his Foxcatcher Oscar next year.
