Should Actors Get Tattoos?
Should Actors Get Tattoos? That is a question hundreds of actors and aspiring actors ask. But, does a tattoo really effect an actor’s career?
Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. This type of body modification became extremely popular in Europe in the 1700s and since then “ink”, “pieces”, “skin art”, “tattoo art”, “tats”, or “work” have become a part of American culture with nearly every major singer, rapper, or musician sporting a tattoo.
But, what about actors? Should actors get tattoos? Let us investigate:
Mike Tyson Tattoo Controversy
Mike Tyson’s tattoo artist sued Warner Bros. to stop the release of ‘Hangover 2′. According to reports, S. Victor Whitmill, the tattoo artist who calls the Tyson tattoo “one of the most distinctive tattoos in the nation,” asked for an injunction to stop the release of the highly anticipated Bradley Cooper and the gang sequel.
Apparently, the man who gave Mike Tyson the distinctive facial tattoo sued Warner Bros. over the similar-looking facial art on Ed Helms’ character in the ‘The Hangover: Part II’ movie.
“When Mr. Whitmill created the Original Tattoo, Mr Tyson agreed that Mr. Whitmill would own the artwork and thus, the copyright in the Original Tattoo,” argues the complaint, filed Thursday in federal court in Missouri and obtained by THR. “Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. — without attempting to contact Mr. Whitmill, obtain his permission, or credit his creation — has copied Mr. Whitmill’s Original Tattoo and placed it on the face of another actor … This unauthorized exploitation of the Original Tattoo constitutes copyright infringement.”
It was a very interesting lawsuit. Whitmill argued that the tattoo is copyrighted work and that Warner Bros. needs to pay him for using his design. Whitmill sued Warner Bros. saying he did not give permission for the company to copy the design for the actor Ed Helms’ character “Stu” in the movie. He claimed the filmmakers copied the design that he tattooed on Tyson in 2003 in Las Vegas.
Ultimately, Warner Bros., announced that they “amicably resolved” its dispute the tattoo artist. This illustrates how a tattoo can cause a movie studio millions of dollars. Even though the tattoo was used as part of a joke, it demonstrates the legal ramifications and drawbacks for actors that choose to get a tattoo.
So… should actors get tattoos?
Many actors often complain that their biggest issue is getting typecast. “I want to be dramatic,” actors say, “and Hollywood only wants me to be a gangster!” “I want to be gangster,” yell actresses, “yet studio executives can only see me for my body!” Truly, it is a sad thing that an actor cannot showcase their talents since casting directors only choose them for a certain type of roles but, adding tattoos does not make it any better.
Should actors cover up tattoos?
Here’s the problem with actors getting tattoos: It is extremely difficult to apply make-up that obscures an actor’s tattoos with today’s age of HD, IMAX and the future of 4K televisions. You can try to use a bucket of Dermablend, but tattoos still shine through.
I was once in a popular TV series, and only people without tattoos were asked to audition. When people started getting fitted for their costumes, it was discovered that one girl had a tattoo she had been hiding. She was fired and replaced the next day with ease.
How about removing tattoos?
Many of us would not think of 50 Cent as a serious actor, at least when he first started releasing rap records in the late ’90s. However, 50 cent’s dream career has changed. Unfortunately, he felt that his tattoo-covered arms held him back from his acting career. The solution? Get them removed. He told People Magazine, “It cuts down on the amount of time I have to spend in makeup covering them up.” The procedure seems to have paid off. 50 Cent had roles in 8 movies from 2011 through 2013 and has five more planned for 2015 and 2016.
There are dozens of actors that regretted getting tattoos including:
1. Kelly Osbourne and her infamous keyboard tattoo
2. Pharrell and his full arm sleeves
3. Angelina Jolie and her Billy Bob tattoo
4. Eva Longoria and her nine tattoo
5. 50 Cent and his arm tattoos