David Harbour stunned fans with a striking gray hair transformation while filming the Brian Douglas Wells biopic Evil Genius in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in November 2025. Known for his role in Stranger Things, Harbour’s new look features shaggy gray hair and a bushy gray beard, a notable departure from his usual appearance and the dark hair he sported just days earlier at the Los Angeles premiere for the final season of the Netflix series.
David Harbour’s Dramatic Look for New Film Role
While on set on November 10, David Harbour appeared nearly unrecognizable as he portrayed a co-conspirator in the infamous 2003 “pizza bombing” bank robbery, alongside characters such as Kenneth Barnes. His gray hair and beard complemented his casual wardrobe of a light blue half-sleeved button-up shirt worn under partially buttoned denim overalls, occasionally layered with a tan barn jacket. This appearance contrasts starkly with the polished look he wore at the Stranger Things season five premiere just four days earlier, where Harbour kept his signature short, dark brown hair and neatly trimmed mustache, dressed sharply in a black-and-white pin-striped suit and matching tie.
The actor’s absence from the main cast during promotional events at the premiere—where fellow stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Sadie Sink were present—was due to his commitment to filming Evil Genius. The film, directed by Courteney Cox and based on a true crime documentary by Barbara Schroeder and Trey Borzillieri, delves into the bizarre and dangerous story of Wells, a pizza deliveryman who attempted a bank heist before a bomb strapped to his neck exploded. Harbour’s co-star Patricia Arquette also headlines the movie, adding to its star power.
Personal Turmoil Amid Career Changes
During Harbour’s engrossment in Evil Genius, his personal life attracted public attention due to the recent release of an album by his estranged wife, singer Lily Allen. The album, titled West End Girl, hints at infidelity as a contributing factor to the couple’s separation after four years of marriage. Reflecting on her inspiration, Allen told British Vogue last month,
“I made this record in December 2024 and it was a way for me to process what was happening in my life,”
adding,
“There are things that are on the record that I experienced within my marriage, but that’s not to say that it’s all gospel. It is inspired by what went on in the relationship.”
Celebrity Hair Transformations Captivate Fans
David Harbour’s radical new look fits into a broader trend of dramatic hair changes among celebrities throughout 2024 and 2025, with stars embracing bold styles that reflect personal reinvention or role preparation. Below is an overview of notable celebrity hair transformations that have drawn attention recently.
Notable Celebrity Hair Changes in 2024 and 2025
- Sami Sheen: The daughter of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards documented her at-home hair dye attempts on TikTok, expressing her long-held desire to switch up her hair color. “I’ve been wanting to do this to my hair for years now,” she said, “and I’m so happy that I finally did it.”
- Carrie Underwood: In August 2025, the country music star revealed her natural hair color for the first time since childhood. On Instagram, Underwood stated, “Well, the last time I saw my natural hair color, I was probably about 12 years old, but I thought it might be time to give it a second chance.”
- Jason Momoa: The actor shaved off his beard in July 2025 after six years to suit his role as Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part Three, adopting a freshly clean-shaven appearance.
- Kelly Clarkson: Also in July 2025, Clarkson debuted a shorter, darker bob hairstyle for a promotional campaign for The Voice, departing from her usual blonde waves.
- Chris Pratt: Pratt introduced a bearded look in June 2025, which he showcased during season two of The Terminal List.
- Finn Wolfhard: The Stranger Things star cut his trademark shaggy hair into a buzzcut for the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards held in Tokyo, Japan, in May 2025.
- Sebastian Stan: The Marvel actor bid farewell to his long Bucky Barnes-style hair in April 2025 by shaving his head at the Los Angeles premiere of Thunderbolts.
- JoJo Siwa: At the GLAAD Media Awards in March 2025, Siwa made a statement with a bold rainbow mohawk hairstyle.
- Emily Ratajkowski: In March 2025, the model declared her shaggy bangs haircut “the worst haircut of my life” in a TikTok video.
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard: Shortly after welcoming her daughter Aurora Urker, Blanchard revealed a new short bob hairstyle in March 2025.
- Whitney Rose: The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City former star debuted a vibrant red bob during a January 2025 appearance on Watch What Happens Live.
- Hailey Bieber: In September 2024, Bieber updated her look with lighter hair just a month after giving birth to her son, Jack Blues Bieber.
- Lily Collins: At the world premiere of her horror film MAXXXINE in June 2024, Collins showcased a dramatic hair transformation. “Changing my hair always brings out different sides of my personality and I love playing around,” she shared with Vogue. “This cut and color feels bolder and yet somehow lighter. And completely more me—right now.”
- Katie Holmes: During Chanel’s Tribeca Film Festival Artists dinner in June 2024, Holmes revealed a subtle caramel balayage mixed into her brunette hair.
- Kylie Jenner: Jenner stunned fans by debuting platinum blonde hair styled in a bob after a long period with waist-length locks. She teased on Instagram, “Did someone say they missed king kylie,” prompting a playful response from sister Khloe Kardashian: “I did! I did!!!!!!”
- Lisa Rinna: At 2024 Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture, Rinna unveiled her platinum blonde transformation.
- Priyanka Chopra: Attending a Bulgari event in Rome in May 2024, Chopra debuted a sharp shoulder-grazing bob.
- Jessica Biel: Biel cut her hair into a bob in May 2024, a style many remarked resembled her \”Mary Camden\” look from the ’90s show 7th Heaven.
- Megan Fox: In May 2024, Fox transitioned from blue hair back to dark brown, showcasing a stylish bob shortly after calling her previous blue phase her “Jedi era.” She also debuted a baby blue bob in April 2024, changing from bubblegum pink hair.
- Dannielynn Birkhead: The daughter of Anna Nicole Smith debuted a new lob hairstyle during the 2024 Kentucky Derby weekend, a sudden shift from her previous look.
- Demi Lovato: The singer revealed a lighter and shorter hairstyle in April 2024.
- Kelly Osbourne: On May 8, 2024, Osbourne showed off a bold blonde “bombshell” transformation.
- Kim Kardashian: Kardashian returned to platinum blonde hair in April 2024 after years of varying her look.
- Rihanna: Celebrating her Fenty x Puma collection in London on April 17, 2024, Rihanna debuted bright blonde hair.
- Delilah Belle Hamlin: The model stunned fans with a bleach blonde pixie cut at a FRAME event on April 4, 2024.
- Zendaya: After cutting her hair into a bob, Zendaya shifted to honey blonde locks at the March 26, 2025 premiere of Challengers.
- Elle Fanning: Fanning welcomed spring 2025 with a fresh long bob haircut on March 25.
- Rachel McAdams: The Mean Girls alum switched from blonde to dark brunette hair on March 18, 2025.
- Bre Tiesi: The Selling Sunset star became nearly unrecognizable after debuting a dramatic blonde look in mid-March 2025.
Understanding David Harbour’s New Gray Hair Look
David Harbour’s sudden gray hair makeover marks a significant shift not only for fans familiar with his dark-haired roles but also within the context of his ongoing projects. This transformation aligns with the gravitas required for his role in Evil Genius, where he personifies a character embedded in a dark and complex real-life crime. The physical change helps Harbour embody the eerie and tense atmosphere surrounding the documentary’s story.
Given Harbour’s upcoming projects, this gray hair could signal a new era of roles that demand a more weathered, rugged aesthetic, distancing him from his youthful charm in Stranger Things. The contrast between his polished appearance at the series premiere and his current unkempt style underscores his professional dedication and versatility.
Implications and What to Expect Next
This transformation not only highlights Harbour’s commitment to authentic storytelling but also places him in the ongoing spotlight amid public curiosity about his personal life. Fans and critics alike will be watching how his role in Evil Genius contributes to his career and how the film portrays the unsettling true crime event.
Meanwhile, Harbour’s gray hair look may pave the way for further physical changes in future roles, showcasing the actor’s willingness to fully immerse himself in challenging characters. As the cast of Stranger Things wraps up their final season, Harbour’s evolving image signals his readiness to explore new creative directions in film and television.
