Glen Powell Reveals Bizarre Sacrifices Behind His Chad Powers Transformation

Glen Powell is suiting up in a way fans have never seen before: fake teeth, a shaggy wig, a mustache and even prosthetics that nearly melted off his face. The 36-year-old actor has taken on his quirkiest role yet in Hulu’s new comedy Chad Powers, playing Russ Holliday, a former football star who tries to revive his career by going undercover as an eccentric wannabe named Chad. 

The series, inspired by Eli Manning’s viral undercover tryouts video, also has Eli and Peyton Manning on board as executive producers.

Transforming into Chad meant sacrifices, including one that Glen didn’t expect. “What was probably helpful to my diet is that I can’t drink alcohol when I’m wearing that mask because the face will fall off,” he joked at the press junket alongside co-star Steve Zahn. “So I’ll sweat out [the] alcohol.”

Zahn couldn’t resist teasing him, “You did acid.” Glen laughed, firing back, “Yeah, just the whole time. It was just hard drugs. Hard drugs. No, I’m kidding.”

If ditching drinks helped keep him in shape, the football did the rest. Glen revealed the action on the field was all real. “I mean, I’m facing off. I’m squaring up with guys who played pro ball. I mean, these are real.”

What really tested him, though, wasn’t the football but the heat. Shooting in Atlanta with layers of prosthetics proved tough. “I’m a sweater,” he admitted. “And especially when I laugh, my face sweats a lot. And that’s not good for a mask. And especially when you’re laughing in Atlanta heat all the time. I was always worried about my face falling off, but these guys made it great. Again, we have the best of the best in these prosthetics.”

For Glen, the challenge was worth it. “I’ve just always liked playing pretend…And I think, with this one, this is the joy of going to work and just getting to be goofy with your friends.”