12 Actors Who Spent More Time in the Makeup Chair Than On Camera

Some actors undergo grueling transformations to bring iconic characters to life, only to appear on screen for mere minutes. The makeup chair becomes their real stage, where hours of intricate prosthetics and paint create looks that steal the show, even if their roles are fleeting.

These performers show incredible dedication, sitting through exhausting sessions for roles that flash by but leave a lasting impact. Below, I dive into 12 actors who spent more time in the makeup chair than in front of the camera.

Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen in ‘Dune: Part One’ (2021)

Stellan Skarsgård played the grotesque Baron Harkonnen in ‘Dune’, a menacing figure in the sci-fi epic. His screen time is limited, mostly looming in a few key scenes, but his presence is chilling.

The transformation took seven hours daily, with a heavy fat suit, silicone prosthetics, and a cooling vest to prevent overheating. Skarsgård embraced the discomfort, even requesting more nude scenes to amplify the Baron’s eerie aura, but the makeup process far outlasted his filmed moments.

Patricia Velasquez as Anck-Su-Namun in ‘The Mummy’ (1999)

Patricia Velasquez portrayed Anck-Su-Namun, the seductive yet deadly figure in ‘The Mummy’. Her role is brief, appearing in flashbacks and a climactic resurrection scene.

Her head-to-toe body paint and prosthetics required 13 hours to apply, a modeling-like ordeal she described as intense. With such short screen time, the makeup chair was where Velasquez spent most of her effort, creating a striking look for minimal footage.

Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in ‘Stranger Things’ (2016-2025)

Jamie Campbell Bower became Vecna, the terrifying villain in ‘Stranger Things’ season four. His monstrous form appears in key horror sequences, but his screen time is sparse.

The makeup process took seven and a half hours of prosthetics, with an additional hour to remove. Bower’s dedication to sitting through this for a handful of scenes made Vecna’s grotesque presence unforgettable.

Lawrence Makoare as Lurtz in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

Lawrence Makoare played Lurtz, the fierce orc leader in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’. His role is short, mainly in a dramatic battle scene, but his look is iconic.

The orc makeup, especially for his “birth” scene, took 11 hours to apply, with intricate prosthetics and paint. Makoare’s time in the chair dwarfed his brief, intense moments on screen.

Eric Stoltz as Martin in ‘The Fly II’ (1989)

Eric Stoltz starred as Martin in ‘The Fly II’, transforming into a monstrous fly-creature. His final “Martinfly” form appears briefly in the horror sequel’s climax.

The complex cocoon and prosthetic makeup took 12 hours to apply, with Stoltz immobile on a couch for much of it. His grueling preparation far outweighed his short, grotesque screen appearance.

Rebecca Romijn as Mystique in ‘X-Men’ (2000-2006)

Rebecca Romijn played Mystique, the shape-shifting mutant in the original ‘X-Men’ trilogy. Her blue-skinned role is memorable but often limited to key action scenes.

The makeup, involving over 100 silicone prosthetics covering 60% of her body, took nine hours daily. Romijn spent far more time in the chair than on camera, enduring paint fumes and isolation to nail Mystique’s look.

Tim Curry as Darkness in ‘Legend’ (1985)

Tim Curry portrayed the demonic Darkness in ‘Legend’, a towering red-skinned villain. His role is pivotal but brief, mostly in the film’s fantastical second half.

His transformation, with massive horns, claws, and full-body prosthetics, took nearly six hours daily, plus an hour to remove. Curry’s time in makeup far exceeded his limited, yet striking, screen presence.

Dave Bautista as Drax in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014-2023)

Dave Bautista played Drax, the teal-skinned warrior in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ films. His role, while recurring, often involves short bursts of action or humor.

Applying his full-body prosthetics and tattoos took five to six hours, with abrasive removal adding up to an hour in a sauna. Bautista’s marathon sessions outlasted his screen time, especially in early films.

John Hurt as John Merrick in ‘The Elephant Man’ (1980)

John Hurt portrayed John Merrick in ‘The Elephant Man’, a role based on the real-life figure with severe deformities. His screen time is significant but carefully paced.

The makeup, crafted from Merrick’s body casts, took 10 hours to apply and two to remove, with Hurt arriving at 5 a.m. and leaving at 10 p.m. His chair time overshadowed his filmed scenes, earning an Oscar for Best Makeup.

Peter Weller as RoboCop in ‘RoboCop’ (1987)

Peter Weller starred as the cyborg hero in ‘RoboCop’. His role, while central, includes many scenes where his face is partially obscured by the suit.

The intricate suit and prosthetics took 10 to 11 hours to apply, limiting his movement and requiring multiple suits for battle damage. Weller’s makeup ordeal far outstripped his time on camera.

Jim Carrey as The Grinch in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (2000)

Jim Carrey transformed into The Grinch for the live-action ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’. His role is prominent, but many scenes are quick and cartoonish.

The green furry suit, prosthetics, and yellow contacts took eight hours daily, with Carrey likening it to being buried alive. A CIA consultant helped him cope, as makeup time dwarfed his filmed moments.

Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man in ‘The Wolf Man’ (1941)

Lon Chaney Jr. played the tragic werewolf in ‘The Wolf Man’. His transformed form appears in short, intense bursts during the classic horror film.

The yak hair and sticky prosthetics took eight hours to apply, a grueling process Chaney endured for limited screen time. His makeup sessions were the real marathon, shaping the iconic monster.

Which actor’s makeup transformation blew you away, or did I miss a star who spent hours in the chair for a fleeting role? Share your thoughts in the comments!