To portray the fantastically aging-in-reverse protagonist of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Brad Pitt initially had to look significantly older (then, slightly older, slightly younger, and significantly younger—the film had a lot going on). For actors, knowing how to look and act older can give you a major edge. Let’s take a look at some tips and tricks to help you look more mature when you need to—and show you how the pros in Hollywood do it, too.
Figuring out how to look older is a handy trick, but don’t worry about rushing to grow up—just have fun! Try these tips out, own your look, and who knows, you just might book that dream role.
1. Figure out your why.
Maybe your high school is putting on a popular musical and to your surprise, you’re cast as one of the parents or teachers instead of one of the teens. Or perhaps you have a major audition coming up for a character who’s a bit older than you in a psychological horror film. Considering your character’s backstory and motivations can help you figure out the type of older you should be going for.
While Donna Sheridan of “Mamma Mia!” may be a bit bedraggled by a life of working at the hotel, for instance, she still exudes a youthful exuberance befitting the lead member of Donna and the Dynamos. Alternatively, the possessed Alzheimer’s patient in “The Taking of Deborah Logan” becomes more decrepit as the film goes on (at least until she starts unhinging her jaw, that is).
2. Be confident.
Older people have a lifetime to build confidence, so maturity isn’t just about how you look; it’s about how you carry yourself. Start by making eye contact, standing up straight, and speaking clearly with a lower, more direct tone. Experience comes with age, so take up space, both physically and figuratively.
3. Dress the part.
Choosing darker shades such as navy, black, or deep gray can instantly make you appear more sophisticated. Bright colors and trendy patterns are fun, but they often read as youthful, so stick with classic styles such as fitted blazers, structured coats, or a nice button-up shirt. Baggy clothes can make you look younger (and on trend, of course), while tailored outfits give off a more polished appearance; if you’re going for a mature look, make sure your clothes fit well.
4. Change your hair.
Dyeing your hair gray, silver, or white can instantly add on some years. Certain polished hairstyles (think of a short blunt cut or a slicked-back bun versus long beachy locks, or a gentleman’s cut versus a broccoli cut) will always appear more mature. And while not everyone can grow it, facial hair will almost always make an actor look older. Just make sure it’s neat and trimmed.
5. Age up with makeup.
Be sure to stay away from youthful trends such as shimmery eyeshadows or sparkly highlighters (even though they’re super cute). Instead, try matte finishes and neutral tones for a more sophisticated look. Defining your cheekbones and jawline with contour can create sharper facial angles, making your face appear more mature. Or, if you’re particularly talented with the brush, you can use special effects makeup techniques to paint on wrinkles and age spots.
6. Consider body language.
Your body movements can speak volumes about your perceived age. Slow down your gestures, quit any excessive fidgeting, and keep a composed posture to look and feel more mature. It even boils down to how you walk—you may want to affect a totter or trudge, a limp or lurch, depending on your character.
Did someone say “Hollywood magic”? Here are five famous actors who had to age up for a role and how they made it happen.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in “J. Edgar” (2011), dir. Clint Eastwood
In this biographical film, DiCaprio played Hoover across different stages of his life, from a young man to an elderly figure in his ’70s. To age DiCaprio, the film’s makeup team went all out with prosthetics, subtle wrinkle lines, and hairstyling to match different time periods. They even added details such as age spots and changes to his hair color to make the transformation more believable, as seen in this trailer:
2. Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008), dir. David Fincher
Pitt faced one of his toughest acting challenges in this film, which depicts his character literally aging backward: He starts the film as an elderly man and becomes younger over time. Makeup and special effects teams had to age Pitt dramatically with prosthetics, CGI, and detailed makeup to create realistic wrinkles, age spots, and even thinning hair. Catch a behind-the-scenes look:
3. Cate Blanchett as Daisy in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Just like her costar, Blanchett also needed to portray various stages of life as her character aged alongside Benjamin. Makeup artists and special effects teams worked to age Blanchett from a young ballet dancer to an elderly woman, using detailed skin texturing and hair-graying techniques. Watch a scene from the movie to get an idea:
4. Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” (2017), dir. Joe Wright
For his role as Churchill, Oldman didn’t just put on an accent befitting the British Bulldog—he put on an entirely new face! The makeup team used heavy prosthetics to help Oldman mimic Churchill’s look. The transformation took hours each day and involved adding realistic skin textures, age marks, and changing his posture to give the illusion of Churchill’s age. Watch an awesome clip from the movie:
5. Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes in “Enola Holmes 2” (2022), dir. Harry Bradbeer
Brown isn’t playing a senior citizen in “Enola Holmes 2,” but she still needed to look a little older than in the first film to show her character’s growth. By using more mature hairstyles, subtle makeup changes, and a wardrobe that reflected her evolution from a young girl to a young woman, the film helped viewers see Enola’s maturity—even if it was only a year or two. Check out her new look in the trailer:
