Naomi Grossman As Pepper

When Naomi Grossman sought Pepper’s role for American Horror Story: Asylum, the similarities between her and the murderous microcephalic just about stopped at their short stature. But when she first appeared on screen in character, she fully embodied the role.

That’s all thanks to Grossman’s willingness to shave her hair and spend up to three hours, transforming into the asylum patient. Of course, her research into Schlitzie, the inspiration for Pepper, had a lot to do with her impressively believable performance. No wonder Grossman has since scored more horror roles in films like The Initiation and The Lurker.

Taryn Manning As Tiffany ‘Pennsatucky’ Doggett

Taryn Manning is one of those beautiful actresses who choose characters who are more than just their looks. This is evident in her portrayal of the female escort Nola in 2005’s Hustle & Flow and, more notably, the inmate Tiffany ‘Pennsatucky’ Doggett in Orange Is The New Black.

Her preparation for the role revolved around the character’s drug addiction. Manning shared that she spent hours researching methamphetamine and watching documentaries about the topic. Manning ended up sharing three SAG awards with her castmates and enjoying a steady stream of work after the show ended in 2019.

Elisabeth Moss As Peggy Olson

The transformation of Elisabeth Moss’s Mad Men character made Peggy Olson a feminist icon for the working woman. Starting as a secretary who’s unsure of herself, Peggy worked her way to the top of a male-dominated field. And Moss did a fantastic job portraying this.

Ditching her usual blonde hair color for Peggy’s brunette, the two-time Emmy winner also toned down her girl next door charm to play the initially dowdy secretary. But now that Mad Men is done, Olson has her former tresses back as she takes on another critically-acclaimed role in The Handmaid’s Tale.