Are you a fan of American Horror Story? The series picked up quite a few fans over the years. Some were drawn to its unique style and others were captivated by its unconventional scares. Most of us, though, were drawn to its characters…this show had some of the most unique characters in television history, and there’s no better example of this than Pepper.
Pepper is an unforgettable character due largely to her bizarre appearance. However, that appearance is due to a powerful combination of makeup and prosthetic effects that completely transformed actor Naomi Grossman’s appearance. Most fans don’t even know what she really looks like, much less the unconventional journey she took to Hollywood fame.
Care to learn more about one of the most talented character actors in cinematic history? Keep reading to discover all about Grossman’s Pepper and why the actor is actually unrecognizably beautiful in real life!
An introduction to Pepper
Have you never watched American Horror Story? Or maybe you half watched it long ago and need a refresher? Either way, you may need an introduction to Pepper’s character before we dive into the woman who brought her to life. In short, this is a woman who suffers from microcephalia, which explains her unconventional appearance. This condition, combined with the fact that she is short and nearly mute, gives Pepper a kind of otherworldly appearance.
This is only fitting because she fits right in as one of the performers in Fräulein Elsa’s Cabinet of Curiosities. She actually married a fellow performer, but after his untimely death, Pepper gets accused (unfairly) of infanticide. This is why she’s sentenced to spend the rest of her life in a mental asylum, giving her one of the saddest stories in the show.