Jude Law has revealed that he regrets “trying to play against his looks” as he is now “saggy and balding.”
The actor joked about not taking full advantage of his looks in his early twenties, now that he is in his fifties.
The 51-year-old played a slew of classically handsome characters throughout his career and earned the title of Hollywood Heartthrob as a result.
Jude famously starred as the charming Dickie Greenleaf in the 1999 film, The Talented Mr Ripley, and doting dad, Graham Simpkins in the festive film The Holiday.
However, Jude has taken the challenge of a completely different role in the historical film Firebrand.
His latest role will see him changed from his usual attractive self and transformed into Henry VIII.
Appearing in the June issue of DuJour magazine, Jude admitted that he found it “satisfying” playing the gruesome King.
He said: “I didn’t feel like I really ever leaned into playing handsome, but there were roles that required an attractive energy.”
“I was trying to play against my looks in my early 20s, and now that I’m saggy and balding, I wish I had played it up.”
Recently Jude has taken on different roles that ‘“have not leaned in to any sort of attraction.”
Jude confessed: “It’s been satisfying not having to turn that switch on.”
He told the outlet: “It took so much time every morning to get into this huge, weighted costume and I would stay in it for the rest of the day.”
“You could rehearse in jeans and a T-shirt, but then you would turn up in this enormous outfit and realize you’re going to knock everyone over.”
“So you might as well maintain that sense of Henry’s shape and size.”
He said: “I read several interesting accounts that you could smell Henry three rooms away. His leg was rotting so badly. He hid it with rose oil. I thought it would have a great impact if I smelt awful.”
Jude enlisted the help of a specialist parfumier and said: “She makes wonderful scents, and she also makes awful scents.”
“She somehow came up with this extraordinary variety of blood, fecal matter and sweat. Initially, I used it very subtly. But then it became a spray fest.”
Director Karim Aïnouz admitted the effort was effective, and said: “When he walked in on set, it was just horrible.”
