Gene Hackman once lamented that the worst thing about becoming a famous actor is that you lose the ability to observe people without being noticed. But some artists are so good at disguising that notoriety is not an obstacle. One such example was John Barrymore trying to buy his first home in Beverly Hills in 1926. Frustrated by rising real estate prices as stars like Tom Mix and Charlie Chaplin moved into the neighborhood, Barrymore went to see many dressed as famous role in the movie, Mr. Hyde. The real estate agent was shocked by the long-haired, wild-eyed, devilish-looking man who got out of the limo. Every time the broker suggested a price, he was met with an intimidating growl. He finally made the sale by cutting $ 20,000 off the initial number.
Barrymore’s fondness for costumes did not end with the purchase of his home. The actor was often arrested and locked up for vagrancy, specifically for being drunk and going through his wealthy neighbor’s trash cans to find scraps for his pet vulture. Her experiences were tapped into when she showed up to a costume party hosted by Marion Davies dressed as a tramp. Unfortunately, his outfit was so authentic that he was rejected.
Sometimes an actor will believe that he is becoming the character he plays. The costume will give them a confidence that they do not have in their own lives. Before Dustin Hoffman was famous, he used to follow movie producers to restrooms, wait until they entered stalls, slip his headshots under the door, and run away. He nearly ruined his audition for The Graduate (1967) by getting flustered and grabbing Katherine Ross’s breasts during his screen test. The insecure actor became more comfortable as he stepped out of his own skin, especially when he played Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie (1982). Dustin was so convincing as a flirty southern beauty that she actually cheated on her awkward Midnight Cowboy (1969) co-star Jon Voight in New York’s Russian Tea Room. Their meeting in real life later became one of the funniest scenes in the movie. After the experience was over, he didn’t want to be Dustin again. “Maybe there could be a sequel where she gives birth.”
Another uncertain star, Gregory Peck, had his decision-making powers go up several notches when he played the title role in MacArthur (1977). Veronique, Peck’s wife, wanted to buy a new lot in Holmby Hills and wanted Greg’s approval. Local residents were surprised to see what Douglas MacArthur looked like driving in an open convertible, dressed in his full general’s uniform, with the pipe and dark glasses for which he was famous. When he arrived, Veronique began to tell him about the property. After two minutes he interrupted her, “Buy it!” He saluted, returned to the car, crossed his arms, and ordered the driver to keep going. The Berkley alumnus later said, “How comforting to have the general’s decision-making ability, Greg Peck would have wavered for days.”
Method actress Kim Hunter was shocked when she saw her chimpanzee makeup in the mirror for the first time while playing Dr. Zira in Planet Of The Apes (1968). In fact, he started crying. “Oh my gosh. I’m not Kim anymore. I’m an ape.” After calming down, he put on a great performance. Movie star Charlton Heston attended the Planet Of The Apes premiere with his wife Lydia. Rare for a Hollywood leading man, Heston’s marriage has lasted for more than fifty years without the slightest hint of an extramarital affair. A strange woman came running up to him. “Chuck, how are you? Nice to see you.” She started hugging and kissing him. “Hey, get off me ma’am,” Heston said giving Lydia a puzzled look. Of course, it was Kim Hunter whom Charlton had never seen outside of her jumpsuit costume.
Heston and Hunter’s Apes co-star Roddy McDowall kept his humor throughout the makeup test. He loved driving down the 405 freeway in his full bodysuit costume waving to the other cars while stuck in traffic. Roddy also had fun at the expense of his old friend and Camelot co-star Julie Andrews. Miss Andrews was working on the Twentieth Century Fox lot, near where the workers were building Ape City. One day she was in her dressing room, smoking a cigarette agitated talking to her analyst on the phone. “OMG these people here. I don’t know who to trust. They’re all trying to stab me in the back. Don’t tell me I’m paranoid! OMG, there’s a giant ape coming through my window!”