Makeup ca n’t hide a bad performance , but it can for certain amplify a expert one . That ’s evident in the brilliant makeup jobs done throughout sci - fi and phantasy film history . Whether it ’s horrible disfigurements , creepy-crawly monsters or devil - possessed trivial girls , makeup artists extend above and beyond ( and then some ) to completely transform the actors playing these characters .

Here ’s a test - down of 10 composition jobs that were so safe , audience forget who the worker was underneath . For those consider a line of work as a Hollywood composition artist , let these exemplar serve as inspiration when it descend to illimitable imagination !

Tim Curry As Darkness (Legend / 1985)

Tim Curry is the kind of worker who can bounce from one extreme to the other , and crank out a knockout execution each and every time . He ’s played everything from an eccentric transvestite , to the unsettlingPennywise The Clown , but his role as the livelihood 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 hard to separate that it ’s Curry under the blood-red face paint , fangs , tangency lens and horns - all of which empower his obstetrical delivery . accord to manager Ridley Scott , Curry found the costume irritating and thwarting , until he happened to capture a coup d’oeil of himself in the mirror , and loved what he saw .

Rebecca Romijn As Mystique (X-Men / 2000)

Mystique is a graphic symbol that was designed from the earth up to be different , in every conceivable direction . She ca n’t walk down the street like a normal person , due to her blue skin , glimmering xanthous eyes and a want of established clothing . consultation would n’t catch a glimpse of Romijn as her dead on target ego untilX - Men 2,where she used her mutant shapeshifting abilities to mask herself .

While not entirely accurate to the comics , her character as Mystique is considered top nick byX - Menfans . If nobody was told who the actress was underneath all the puritanical paint , it would be highly hard to think .

Linda Blair As Regan MacNeil (The Exorcist / 1973)

Somehow , manager William Friedkin deal to convert Linda Blair ’s parents to greenlight her starring as the role of a petty little girl possessed by an ancient , vicious demon . Then , he managed to witness a make-up crew talented enough to turn her from a sweet-scented little 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 midway through the film , however . Even in those early stage , her old countenance and show disappears .

Heath Ledger As The Joker (The Dark Knight / 2008)

There are a issue of factor that make Heath Ledger unrecognisable asthe Jokerin Christopher Nolan ’s laudedThe Dark Knight , including the constitution , the accent , and of course , the personality . Ledger ’s execution is now the material of legend , but it ’s the makeup that truly gives him a comfortable space to unleash his internal sociopath .

From the lily-white face paint , to the sunken eyes and unripened hair , Ledger is nowhere to be found . Only a primal tantrum in the flick where the Joker poses as a policeman gives audiences a glimpse at the worker underneath the face paint .

Gary Oldman As Mason Verger (Hannibal / 2001)

The antic show of the dreadfully marred and disfigured Mason Verger inHannibalis one of the good makeup line ever accomplished , debar none . It ’s chillingly naturalistic in a style that makes audiences squirm , each sentence .

Verger was scarred beyond recognition after getting high on drug , and taking some less - than - helpful advice from Dr. Hannibal Lecter to set out slicing off pieces of his facial expression . What ’s left is a blistered , gristly mass of scar tissue devoid of lips , a nose and eyelids . It ’s horrendous to appear at .

Robert Picardo As Meg Mucklebones (Legend / 1985)

No , you ’re not seeing things . That is actuallyStar Trek : Voyageralum Robert Picardo playing the wickedly grotesque Meg Mucklebones in 1985’sLegend . Under the makeup , it ’s impossible to order that it ’s Picardo , even by means of voice . The actor throws everything he ’s fetch into selling this creepy-crawly , spine - chilling swamp witch .

It ’s easy to tell that Picardo had a lot of fun diddle the character , and she stay on one of the most memorable of the entire film . It ’s yet another example of how Ridley Scott served up phantasy horror that ended up creeping audiences out !

Eric Stoltz As Rocky Dennis (Mask / 1985)

Eric Stoltz churned out a great carrying out as Rocky Dennis , a boy afflict with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia . The make-up task done on Stoltz earmark the fictional character to rightfully play out the struggle face by the tangible aliveness Roy L. Dennis .

Those who have n’t seenMaskshould emphatically seek it out , as it challenge the whimsy of internal bias and bias , while acting as an inspiring vehicle for those who are more than adequate to of deliver the goods , despite physical handicap .

Reggie Nalder As Kurt Barlow (Salem’s Lot / 1979)

This make-up job is so good that nobody on Earth would be able-bodied to guess the actor , unless they were told . Reggie Nalder ’s take on Stephen King’smost lethal Type One vampireis nothing scant of heart - stopping , and remains one of , if notthemost frightening depiction of a vampire ever intrust to film .

While the 2004Salem ’s Lotminiseries would showcase Kurt Barlow as a normal look human being , the 1979 translation went straight for the pharynx ( no pun intended ) , and gave plenty of audiences intellect to lock their windows at night !

Frank Langella As Skeletor (Masters Of The Universe / 1987)

According to rumor , Frank Langella thoroughly loved portraying the nefarious Skeletor in the live - action adaptation ofMasters Of The Universe . It ’s not strong to see why , especially with such a great composition job to work with !

Although it ’s a act wanting by today ’s standard , Langella still remains largely unrecognisable as the malefic sorcerer . It allowed him to bend out a dynamite performance , and even give him divine guidance to spell a few of his own lines , such as " Tell me about the solitariness of trade good , He - Man ! Is it equal to the solitariness of evil ? "

Ray Park As Darth Maul (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace / 1999)

It ’s amazing what some good face blusher , a pair of yellow contact and a head full of horn can do for an thespian . Ray Park is difficult to realize asDarth Maulin the 1999Star Warsprequel filmThe Phantom Menace .

With little in the way to cramp him ( include dialogue ) , Park was able to focus alone on his bedazzle martial art acquirement in a duel for the story books . Comparing his face to other role in films such asX - Mencreates a dramatic difference . It ’s hard to tell that the actor played both roles .

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Actor Makeup Jobs - Curry

Actor Makeup Jobs - Romijn

Actor Makeup Jobs - Blair

Actor Makeup Jobs - Ledger

Actor Makeup Jobs - Oldman

Actor Makeup Jobs - Picardo

Actor Makeup Jobs - Stoltz

Actor Makeup Jobs - Nadler

Actor Makeup Jobs - Langella

Actor Makeup Jobs - Park

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The Exorcist - Franchise