Adrien Brody recently shared a laugh-out-loud moment from the set of The Brutalist while appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The Oscar-nominated actor, known for his transformative performances, recounted how a makeup artist mistakenly tried to remove his actual nose, thinking it was part of his heavy prosthetics.
A Makeup Mishap to Remember
In The Brutalist, Brody plays a character who ages 30 years, requiring extensive prosthetics. With a busy production team handling his makeup removal, a new artist joined the set, unaware of what was real and what wasn’t.
"She was busily working away with a solvent on my nose," Brody recalled, explaining how the artist diligently tried to peel off what she assumed was a prosthetic. When he realized what was happening, he asked, "Are you trying to remove that?" She confidently replied, "Yes." To which he quickly responded, "That doesn’t come off!"
Realizing her mistake, the makeup artist immediately apologized and humorously added, "This is going in my diary."
The Brutalist and Brody’s Career Milestone
Despite the behind-the-scenes mishaps, The Brutalist has become one of Brody’s most acclaimed performances. Directed by Brady Corbet, the film has earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Brody and Best Director for Corbet. The duo already secured wins at the Golden Globes, marking a significant milestone in Brody’s career.

During his Golden Globe acceptance speech, Brody reflected on his journey, acknowledging the highs and lows of his profession. "I’ve had a long life and career with a lot of peaks and valleys, and it’s given me perspective," he shared, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful project.
A Performance to Watch
With The Brutalist receiving widespread acclaim, Brody’s portrayal has reaffirmed his status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. And while he may have narrowly escaped losing his nose to an overenthusiastic makeup artist, his commitment to his craft remains stronger than ever.