In Hollywood, looks matter a lot, and many stars have been rejected for not fitting strict beauty standards. Even big names like Reese Witherspoon and Henry Cavill were once told they weren’t attractive enough. Despite this, they became successful and famous.
Winona Ryder


Winona Ryder, known for her striking features, wasn’t always embraced by Hollywood. She once shared that a casting director told her during an audition, “You should not be an actress. You are not pretty enough… You don’t have it.”
Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield, famous for playing Spider-Man, once faced criticism about his looks. After auditioning for the role of Prince Caspian in *The Chronicles of Narnia*, he was told he lost the part to Ben Barnes because he “wasn’t handsome enough.”


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Judy Garland
Judy Garland faced immense pressure and criticism throughout her life, including from those in the film industry who were supposed to support her. Studio executives often called her an “ugly duckling,” which contributed to her struggles with an eating disorder and drug addiction, adding to the tragedy of her life.


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Donald Sutherland
The late Donald Sutherland brought an unforgettable presence to his roles, often stealing scenes with his talent. However, he struggled with self-image throughout his career. In a heartfelt interview, Sutherland shared that his mother once called him unattractive, leading him to believe he wasn’t good-looking enough to be a leading man, a sentiment that stayed with him for much of his life.


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Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson, one of Britain’s most cherished actresses, faced Hollywood’s harsh beauty standards despite her immense talent. She revealed that male executives often told her she was “not pretty enough” to do nude scenes, even though she was open to them if the role required. Despite these criticisms, Thompson has remained a celebrated figure in the industry.


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Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch, despite his unique appearance and often ridiculed name, became a regular on Sexiest Man Alive lists during his *Sherlock* fame. However, showrunner Steven Moffat once revealed that BBC staff were upset when Cumberbatch was first cast as Sherlock, saying, “You promised us a sexy Sherlock, not him.”


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Minnie Driver
In the making of 1997’s *Good Will Hunting*, Minnie Driver almost lost the role of the lead romantic interest because a producer claimed she “was not hot enough.” That producer was Harvey Weinstein, whose sexist views can now be disregarded, given his disgraced status.


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Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep, now considered one of the greatest acting talents of her generation, wasn’t always seen that way. During her audition for *King Kong*, director Dino De Laurentiis commented in Italian, “This is so ugly. Why did you bring me this?” Streep overheard the remark, but his loss was certainly Hollywood’s gain.


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Will Poulter
Will Poulter, known for his roles in films like *Black Mirror: Bandersnatch*, has acknowledged that he’s not seen as “conventionally attractive.” After facing bullying online, including hurtful comparisons to Sid from *Toy Story*, he chose to step away from social media for the sake of his mental health.


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Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet’s portrayal in *Titanic* was once criticized, reflecting the unhealthy media obsession with women’s body image in the 90s and 2000s. Later, Winslet expressed regret for not speaking out against the fatphobic bullying she faced during that time.


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Adam Driver
Adam Driver is often described as “ugly-hot,” a term for someone who is unconventionally attractive. A journalist from *The New Yorker* referred to him as having a “horse face,” a remark Driver accepted with grace.


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Pete Davidson
When Ariana Grande revealed her relationship with comedian Pete Davidson, the internet erupted with negative comments about his looks, particularly targeting his eyes. The backlash was so severe that Grande felt compelled to defend him on social media, calling out the bullying.


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Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker has faced numerous harsh jokes comparing her to a horse, which have followed her through film, television, and social media. Professionally, she’s also been impacted by these perceptions; director David Frankel noted that she is often “tragically overlooked” in Hollywood due to being considered “not pretty enough.”


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James McAvoy
Scottish heartthrob James McAvoy, known for his role in *Atonement*, has faced rejection due to his height, standing at 5’7″. He recalled an unnamed female co-star who remarked that “nobody would believe [he] would be with someone like her.”


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Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling, known for her humor and talent, faced criticism about her looks early in her career. After *The Mindy Project*, she shared how being labeled “unattractive” by critics and fans caused her significant hurt and anger.


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Philip Seymour Hoffman
Philip Seymour Hoffman, acclaimed as one of America’s greatest actors, often missed out on leading roles due to his appearance and weight. A harsh critique labeled him “too pudgy to look romantic or heroic.” However, Hoffman appreciated his looks for the unique roles they allowed him to play.


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Glenn Close
Glenn Close gained prominence in the 1980s with tense erotic thrillers like *Jagged Edge*. During the casting of this film, producer Martin Ransohoff reportedly deemed her “too ugly” for the lead role and even attempted to have her removed from the project.


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Jack Black
In Hollywood, larger actors like comedian Jack Black are sometimes dismissed as unattractive because of their weight. When he was cast as a romantic lead in *The Holiday*, many expressed skepticism online. However, Black quickly proved that he could be just as charming and appealing as his co-star, Jude Law.


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Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu, a celebrated Asian-American actress, is reportedly viewed as unattractive by some in Western China for not aligning with local beauty standards. Additionally, Martin Freeman faced backlash for making an inappropriate joke, referring to Liu as “a dog,” which her fans found offensive.


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Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi’s distinct appearance, particularly his unique eyes, has often led to negative comparisons and memes, which he doesn’t find amusing. Throughout his career, he’s frequently been labeled as ugly in the media, though he admitted he didn’t realize this perception until he gained fame.


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Renée Zellweger
After portraying the ‘overweight’ spinster Bridget Jones, Renée Zellweger faced harsh media scrutiny, particularly regarding her heavy-lidded eyes. When she debuted a new look that appeared to be surgically enhanced, critics reacted with surprise, despite having spent years criticizing her natural appearance.


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Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe has embraced his unique looks, taking on a variety of edgy and diverse roles, including Jesus in *The Last Temptation of Christ* and the Green Goblin in *Spider-Man*. Although he’s faced unkind remarks from critics—one even calling him “fish-faced”—Dafoe has built a substantial fanbase, particularly among women who find him to be an unconventional crush.


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Liza Minelli
Like her mother Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli has faced harsh criticism about her appearance throughout her Hollywood career. In response to such comments, the resilient Minnelli once told a journalist, “I don’t really care. When I’m onstage, I just do my job.”


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Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito’s unique stature and shape have made him a beloved figure in Hollywood, but his appearance has also made him the target of many jokes, most notably in *Mean Girls.*


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Jessica Chastain
It’s surprising to think that someone as stunning as Jessica Chastain faced harsh judgment in Hollywood. She was bullied for her looks in school and struggled to land roles because she was deemed “not pretty enough.”


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Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill, known for his chiseled jaw and blue eyes, is often seen as a perfect fit for James Bond. However, he lost the role of 007 in *Casino Royale* because casting directors deemed him “too fat” during his audition.


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Viola Davis
Viola Davis, an EGOT-winning actress, faced harsh bullying in her childhood due to racism, with neighborhood kids labeling her as ugly. Even as an adult, her appearance was scrutinized, notably by New York Times critic Alessandra Stanley, who remarked that Davis was “less classically beautiful than [Kerry] Washington.”


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Tom Hardy
Ask any British woman (and many men) about their celebrity crush, and Tom Hardy is likely to be a common answer. However, the muscular actor was initially rejected for the role of Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film *Pride & Prejudice*, as he didn’t meet the high expectations women had for the character.


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Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst, like many former child stars, has faced scrutiny for her looks despite her undeniable beauty. The conversation resurfaced last year when her ex, Tobey Maguire, was asked by shock jock Howard Stern about Dunst’s casting as MJ Watson, with Stern claiming she was “not pretty enough” for the role.


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Mike Faist
In a recent unflattering article by the New York Times, *Challengers* star Mike Faist, along with his co-star Josh O’Connor, was referred to as a “rodent man.” Although intended as a compliment, the description—which includes traits like big ears, pinched cheeks, and a skinny physique—comes off as mean-spirited.


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Amy Schumer
Controversial comedian Amy Schumer has faced constant criticism about her looks, but it has only strengthened her resilience. After recent remarks targeted her “puffy” face, Schumer responded by using the moment to promote self-love and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s natural appearance.


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Shelley Duvall
Shelley Duvall’s large eyes and slender frame made her a target for bullying in school, and this continued after her roles in *Brewster McCloud* and *The Shining*. Her mental health declined later in her career, partly due to the relentless criticism and negativity from the media regarding her appearance.


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Jeremy Allen White
Similar to Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, *The Bear* star Jeremy Allen White has also been labeled a “rodent man” because of his unconventional appearance. Even prior to this, his portrayal of Lip on *Shameless* attracted considerable negative attention online, with entire forum discussions focused on viewers criticizing his looks.


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Lizzy Caplan
Lizzy Caplan gained fame as the grungey Janis Ian in *Mean Girls*, but her looks were often criticized. She faced numerous rejections for roles, with some casting directors saying she wasn’t “pretty enough” for the WB television network.


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Mark Webber
Mark Webber was originally cast as the lead in ABC’s crime drama *Stumptown* but was soon replaced by Jake Johnson. He expressed his disappointment on social media, revealing that executives deemed him “not handsome enough,” providing a candid look at Hollywood’s harsh standards.


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Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon rose to fame for her sweet, charming roles, characterized by her big eyes and angelic appearance. However, before starring in *Legally Blonde*, she frequently faced criticism, being told she was “not pretty enough, not tall enough, not smart enough, or not thin enough.”


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Michael Cera
Michael Cera gained fame for his portrayal of awkward, quirky characters that matched his unique appearance. While his distinctive looks helped him secure these roles, they have also led to him being typecast and the target of numerous jokes.


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Olivia Colman
British actress Olivia Colman embraces the less glamorous aspects of life in her intense roles in *The Favourite* and *The Father*. However, she acknowledges that her looks have limited her opportunities in Hollywood, as she does not fit the mold of a “classic beauty.”


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Kumail Nanjiani
In *Silicon Valley*, Kumail Nanjiani’s character Dinesh was frequently the target of jokes about his looks, which Nanjiani has said hurt him. After he transformed his physique for *Eternals*, he faced more media criticism, which impacted his mental health.


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America Ferrera
America Ferrera gained fame as Ugly Betty, but many now see her as beautiful. However, during the weight-loss-obsessed 2000s, her body faced criticism for being “overweight,” which hindered her from landing leading lady roles.


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