27 Actors That Underwent Killer Transformations For Roles In True Crime Shows
Why are we so obsessed with true crime?
While it feels like the true-crime genre is a recent fad, it was actually popularized in 1966 by Truman Capote’s book In Cold Blood, which was adapted into a film of the same name the following year by Richard Brooks. It’s just that the invention of the internet and streaming platforms has provided instant access to podcasts and shows about gripping tales of crime.
The 2020 pandemic and lockdown left people with a lot of free time and a desire for escapism, which helped true-crime stories thrive. So, if there has been a killer, a kidnapping, a found body, or even a gun-wielding, heterosexual husband-grooming (with crystal meth) exotic animal park owner with a temper, chances are it’s been a central plot in a docuseries on Hulu, Netflix, or a podcast.
Adweek has observed that there has been a “dramatic increase” in interest in the true crime genre, with several true-crime shows ranking among the top 10 on Netflix in April 2021. But for shows like The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, The Act, or Law & Order: True Crime, actors had to undergo some serious transformations.
Portraying a real person can be intimidating in general, but portraying a real-life murderer? That’s got to be some heavy stuff.
However, there have been some incredible actors who rose to the occasion. That’s why we compiled a list of 27 actors who underwent killer transformations for their roles in true crime shows.
1. Penelope Cruz
The Spanish actress wore a very blonde wig to play Donatella Versace, sister of Gianni Versace, in Ryan Murphy's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
Mike Marsland/WireImage; RSKM/BACKGRID2. Addison Timlin
The actress played Colleen Stan, a kidnap victim who was kept in a box and used as a sex slave for seven years by Cameron Hooker in the movie Girl in the Box.
Getty Images; Lifetime3. Sarah Paulson
The actress was awarded an Emmy for her portrayal of Marcia Clark, the lead prosecutor in FX's The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
Getty Images; FX
4. Renée Zellweger
Zellweger underwent a dramatic transformation with the help of prosthetics and body padding to play her role as Pam Hupp in NBC's The Thing About Pam.
NBC/Getty Images
5. Darren Criss
The former Glee star took on the role of spree killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images; BACKGRID
6. Eric Dane
The former Grey's Anatomy star played a member of the Manson Family, Charles "Tex" Watson, in the 2014 TV movie Helter Skelter.
WireImage / CBS
7. Zelda Williams
The daughter of the late Robin Williams took on the role of Cameron Hooker's wife and accomplice, Janice Hooker, in the TV movie Girl in the Box.
Michael Bezjian/WireImage; Lifetime
8. Rob Lowe
Lowe donned a mustache when he took on the role of former police sergeant Drew Peterson, who was convicted of his third wife's death, in Lifetime's Drew Peterson: Untouchable.
Getty Images; Lifetime
9. Cuba Gooding Jr.
The Oscar winner portrayed O.J. Simpson in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
Getty Images; FX
10. Taryn Manning
The actress starred as a 10-year kidnapping victim, Michelle Knight, in the Lifetime movie Cleveland Abduction.
Getty Images; Lifetime
11. John Travolta
The actor returned to his TV roots when he played the famed defense attorney Robert Shapiro, who was part of O.J. Simpson's legal team in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
George Pimentel/WireImage; Netflix
12. Edie Falco
The actress portrayed defense lawyer Leslie Abramson in the first season of Law & Order: True Crime, which focused on the famous Menendez brothers' murder case.
Getty Images; NBC
13. Jessica Biel
Biel sports oversized glasses and curly hair to become the accused ax-murderer Candy Montgomery in the Hulu series Candy.
Tina Rowden/Hulu/Getty Images
14. Tania Raymonde
The actress donned the infamous hairstyle of Jodi Arias in the made-for-television movie Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret.
WireImage / Lifetime
15. Al Pacino
The iconic actor wore quite the wig as the eccentric super-producer and titular character Phil Spector in HBO's Phil Spector.
Phil Caruso/GAME CHANGE, Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Turner
16. Joey King
The actress had to shave her head for the role of Gypsy Rose Blanchard in Hulu's mini-series The Act.
Rich Fury/Getty Images; Brownie Harris / Hulu
17. Patricia Arquette
Patricia Arquette gained a significant amount of weight to play Gypsy Rose Blanchard's mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, in The Act.
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images; Brownie Harris / Hulu
18. Edgar Ramirez
The actor drastically changed his appearance for his role as Gianni Versace, the murdered Italian fashion designer, in Ryan Murphy's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
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19. Christina Ricci
The star stepped up for the role of the infamous Lizzie Borden in both the TV movie Lizzie Borden Took an Ax and the mini-series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles.
FilmMagic / Lifetime
20. Rob Lowe
For some reason, the actor is drawn to true crime. This time, Lowe played the victim, Ben Novack Jr., in the made-for-TV movie Beautiful & Twisted.
FilmMagic / Lifetime
21. Alyssa Milano
The Charmed actress played the infamous teen Amy Fisher in Lifetime's film Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story.
Getty Images / CBS
22. Connie Britton
Connie Britton took on the role of Debra Newell in Bravo's true-crime TV series Dirty John.
Todd Williamson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Bravo
23. Jean Smart
The Fargo veteran is almost unrecognizable as Debra's mother, Arlane Hart, in Dirty John.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images, Bravo
26. Eric Bana
The star returned to TV for the role of John Meehan, a con artist with a penchant for rich women, in Dirty John.
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Bravo
25. Hayden Panettiere
The actress starred as Amanda Knox, who was wrongfully convicted of murder, in the Lifetime movie Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial.
Getty Images; Lifetime
24. Paul Walter Hauser
Hauser lost 40 pounds and had hair and makeup teams perfectly style his hair and muttonchop sideburns to play suspected serial killer Larry Hall in Apple TV+'s Black Bird.
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic, Apple TV+
27. Gethin Anthony
The Game of Thrones star underwent quite the physical transformation to play the role of the Manson Family's leader, Charles Manson, in the drama Aquarius.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC, David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Have you seen any of the shows mentioned in the list? Do you think the actors did a good job, or did they hit the serial killer mark?
Let us know what you think of the shows in the comments section. And if we missed an actor who you thought nailed their role in a true-crime show, drop their names below!
