When Actors Strip Down, This Is What They’re Really Wearing
It’s one thing to bare your soul on camera—it’s another to bare everything else. So it’s no surprise that some actors bring a little backup to set when a role calls for revealing more than usual. Here are a few stars who opted for a prop during some steamy scenes.
Charles Melton
Credit: IMDb
In May December, Charles Melton had to wear a prosthetic for a very specific scene with Natalie Portman. It wasn’t exactly a breezy day at work—he told Variety he wore it for nine hours and avoided drinking water just to keep things smooth.
Theo James
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In season two of The White Lotus, Theo James’ character drops his towel in a tense moment, but what audiences saw wasn’t the real deal. James later shared on The Tonight Show that the prosthetics were used intentionally for comedic and symbolic effects.
Chris Hemsworth
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In Vacation, Hemsworth plays a character with an exaggerated physique, including one very specific detail. The actor modeled multiple prosthetic options on set for comedic effect before landing on the final version. The director told Vulture that, given Hemsworth’s size, the smaller choice just didn’t look as dramatic.
Adam Scott
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Adam Scott sported a prosthetic for his role in The Overnight that left little to the imagination. He later told GQ that even with it on, it felt like being completely exposed. Because it looked so realistic, he said people reacted like they were seeing the real thing anyway.
Eric Dane
Credit: Instagram
Euphoria doesn’t hold back visually, but Eric Dane confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that what viewers saw in the pilot wasn’t all him. He wore a prosthetic for one intense bathroom scene. He explained the importance of open communication on set, especially when dealing with exposed material.
Tom Pelphrey
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Netflix’s A Man in Full gave Tom Pelphrey one of the more elaborate prosthetic setups in recent memory. The design process was more detailed than expected, even involving discussions about avoiding hot wax. The team wanted to strike the right tone visually, and Pelphrey appreciated it.
Will Poulter
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Spider bites and wardrobe mishaps in We’re the Millers ended in a seriously uncomfortable situation. That meant using a prosthetic that could hold up under close scrutiny. Poulter said the process involved a talented special effects artist and a lot of personal space invaded.
Jason Isaacs
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Season three of The White Lotus featured Jason Isaacs in a buzzworthy scene that left fans wondering: Was that real? According to showrunner Mike White, it was a prosthetic. He even joked that Isaacs probably didn’t want to admit it because it added to the mystique.
Daniel Radcliffe
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For Guns Akimbo, Daniel Radcliffe wasn’t shy about discussing his use of a prosthetic for a particularly revealing scene. In a 2019 chat with MTV News, he explained that the decision had been made early on. It kept things professional and removed the need for him to stress about on-set exposure.
Taylor Zakhar Perez
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HBO’s Minx required Taylor Zakhar Perez to channel some vintage centerfold energy, and he came prepared. He explained to Entertainment Weekly that using a prosthetic made sense for the tone of the scene, but only because it fit the story.
Terrence Terrell
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In Obliterated, Terrence Terrell’s scenes demanded a prop for very practical reasons. According to the creators, the interactions in those moments were too physical and too complex to ask any actor to go without protection. The solution involved a well-made prosthetic, plenty of planning, and a respectful set environment.
Sebastian Stan
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In the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, Sebastian Stan’s scenes leaned into absurdity, but prosthetic help was necessary. Behind the scenes, the creative team used practical effects to make things memorable without crossing boundaries. The intention was to honor the real-life story while maintaining a humorous tone.
Mark Wahlberg
Credit: IMDb
That final shot in Boogie Nights? Not real. Mark Wahlberg used a prosthetic for his character’s big moment. It ended up being one of the most discussed props in movie history. Wahlberg later admitted that the original prosthetic sat in his home for years before he finally let it go.
James Franco
Credit: IMDb
Filming The Deuce, which explores the 1970s entertainment world, meant navigating some pretty sensitive territory, and James Franco’s scenes were no exception. While Franco himself never publicly confirmed this, sources close to the production said prosthetics were used as a standard precaution.
Chris Evans
Credit: flickr
During a Saturday Night Live sketch, Chris Evans leaned into parody with an intentionally over-the-top reveal. The wardrobe department crafted a fake addition that matched the dramatic, soap-opera style of the scene. It wasn’t meant to look real—just hilarious, and Evans pulled it off perfectly.