Yahoo News Welsh Hollywood star looks unrecognisable as comedy icon in new film role
Cardiff-born actor Matthew Rhys, 49, looks completely unrecognisable as he prepares to star in Jason Reitman's Saturday Night, a biopic which follows the 90-minute lead up to the first broadcast of late-night US comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL). It is due to be released in US theatres on October 11, exactly 49 years after SNL's first-ever broadcast on October 11 1975 but there is no official UK release date confirmed yet.
Rhys, who is best known for his role in the hit series The Americans which saw him take home an Emmy, will be starring as comedy legend George Carlin. Carlin was the host of the first episode of SNL and is regarded as one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time thanks to his takes on swear words, anti-abortion movement and conservative politics - he is also known to a whole generation as Rufus from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
In a post on his Instagram, Rhys shared a photo of him as Carlin in the 1970s, which shows the complete transformation he has undergone for the role. He has swapped his usual shorter hair for shoulder-length locks and a long beard.
Read more: Woman slams Gavin & Stacey fans filming set in Barry – and issues five word plea
Of course, it's not the first time Matthew has become unrecognisable for a role, he starred as KGB agent, Phillip Jennings in The Americans for five years from 2013 opposite his now real-life partner, Keri Russell, with who he shares a son, Sam.
Rhys' fans replied to his post to let the actor know they were excited to see him take on the role. One commented: "You look just like him! I have no doubt it's awesome!" and another added: "Can't wait. I'm sure you crush it." For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter
Despite swapping Wales for Hollywood when he rose to fame playing Kevin Walker in the family drama series Brothers & Sisters (2006-2011), Rhys remains a very proud Welshman. Last year, he helped to save the Glan yr Afon pub in Pennal, Gwynedd from closure. Rhys, whose father grew up in the area, said: "Owain Glyndŵr himself would be proud of the community fighting spirit shown so far, so I would urge people from over the world to get involved and invest in a little part of history."
In Saturday Night, Rhys will be starring alongside other Hollywood stars, including Nicholas Braun, Kaia Gerber, Finn Wolfhard, Willem Dafoe and Gabriel LaBelle.
Saturday Night’s official synopsis promises that the film is “based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time to the famous words: ‘Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!’”.
Its UK release date has not been confirmed yet, but we could see the movie in early 2025.
