This Man Has A Rare Genetic Condition Which Made Him One Of The Most Sought After Actors In Horror
If the brilliance of special effects has been a gift to the horror film genre – Spanish actor Javier Botet has been an even greater gift. Due to a rare genetic disorder, the actor does not require computer processing to bring nightmarish monsters to life, just some special effects make-up.
Botet was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome, at the age of six, which caused him to grow 6 feet, 6 inches, but weigh in at a mere 120 pounds. In addition to his lanky stature, the condition affects his limbs and fingers, which are longer than average and can contort in various ways. Botet’s diagnoses proved to be a gift for the aspiring actor and science fiction/supernatural fan. He has now become a household name for Hollywood horror movies such as Slender Man (Slender Man), xenomorph (Alien: Covenant), Crooked Man (The Conjuring 2), Faceless Man (The Crucifixion), Keyface (Insidious: The Last Key), Mama (Mama), and now Mara (Mara), to name a few.
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Javier Botet has become a household name in Hollywood horror due to his rare genetic condition that allows for impressive body contortions
Image credits: jbotet
Botet first brought monsters to life through his art, drawing monsters, and eventually moved to Madrid to pursue the craft. During his time in the capital, he developed an interest in cinema and began to produce short films. Botet’s aspirations moved from behind the camera to in front of it while in attendance at a special effects workshop. The instructor pointed out that his figure would be perfect for some monster SFX makeup looks. “I didn’t realize, but I was born to perform,” Javier told the BBC.
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
The same instructor helped him land his first role in a small Spanish film, but his big break came in 2009 at a convention in Texas. Botet was promoting his work in ‘Rec 2’, when he met Argentine director Andrés Muschietti, who was there to promote his short film ‘Mama,’ that he wished to be turned into a feature film. Muschietti told Botet that he would be a perfect real-life monster for the film, and one year later, with Guillermo del Toro, signed on as the feature’s producer, Javier was cast.
Image credits: jbotet
The same instructor helped him land his first role in a small Spanish film, but his big break came in 2009 at a convention in Texas. Botet was promoting his work in ‘Rec 2’, when he met Argentine director Andrés Muschietti, who was there to promote his short film ‘Mama,’ that he wished to be turned into a feature film. Muschietti told Botet that he would be perfect for the film, and one year later, with Guillermo del Toro, signed on as the feature’s producer, Javier was cast.
Image credits: jbotet
While Botet’s movements might not require CGI, there is a hefty amount of make-up that goes into creating his creepy, monster facial features. These transformations can take hours and some of his most famous looks can be attributed to Spanish make-up artist David Martí from DDTSFX. Despite all the artistry that goes into Martí’s work he gives most of the props to the actors, “A lot of times they call them creature performers or monster guy – which is not correct, they are actors. I see people like Doug or Javier and it’s like ‘What the hell?’ You should not wear a mask.”
Image credits: jbotet
No matter how far we go with CGI Botet said that he doesn’t feel threatened by technology, “When there’s something digital, anything can happen. It’s like a cartoon – you lose the scare and the fear,” adding,
“I’d rather 100 times that you feel something is real, you can touch it, it exists and it can happen.”
Image credits: jbotet
The Conjuring 2
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
The Last Key
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Mama
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
The Revenant
Image credits: jbotet
IT
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
The Other Side Of The Door
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Slender Man
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: Sony Pictures
Image credits: jbotet
Crimson Peak
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
Behind
Image credits: jbotet
The Walking Dead
Image credits: jbotet
Insidious
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
Image credits: jbotet
He is very lucky! Well done, that did not give up and found a place in life!
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WHY HAS HE NOT BEEN CAST TO DO A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MOVIE AS JACK??? He would be perfect! He would be the King of Halloween! He is the King of Halloween! But this pictures in the roles he has played! Just creepily amazing!!!
Good for him! I hope he sees a cardiologist (or GP at least) regularly though. Marfan's is a connective tissue disorder which makes things like blood vessel walls especially weak and usually ends up with the patient dying of aortic dissection. The survival rate is much higher these days though, especially with preventive surgery on the aortic root. I can't tell from the pics if he has had the surgery or not. Since he was diagnosed so young it has probably been monitored though. I'm glad he found a niche where his disease is a benefit not a hindrance.
I wonder if he's worked with Doug Jones yet!!! That would be aaaweeesome!!! They both rock!! (Doug was in Hellboy, Star Trek Discoveries, Pan's Labyrinth and sooo much more!)
He and Doug were the ghosts in Crimson Peak. Doug speaks highly and often of this actor. I just hope that people recognise that Doug Jones has been the go-to creature actor since the late 70s. This man is the great next-gen! Both incredible actors.
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He looks as such a nice guy! But I would never want to make him angry... can you image him after argument in some creepy costume waiting for you to "boo" at you as revenge?! I would die on spot.
Why would he do that? He’s not a monster in reality. The whole point of this article was for you to see him as the nice and normal human he is.
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He has a great smile! I'd love to see him do a non-special-effects role.
May have had. He lacked the two distinct signs: poor vision and a heart murmur. Blood on a dress from the night he was assasinated was tested and it showed positive for MEN 2B - a different genetic disorder.
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My friend and business partner died of what was probably Marfans Syndrome in 2015. He was 38 years old. He was his parents youngest child. A genuine Native American, Mohawk Indian, he was brilliant with computers and music equipment. His poor family was devastated. We all were. Jacob David Odgers, Detroit, Michigan and Franklin, Tennessee; rest in peace my friend.
I remember in elementary school music class, being told that Paganini probably had marfan syndrome. Of course, being in elementary school, i thought the teacher said "marzipan syndrome".
WTF this is amazing! I've seen some of these movies and always assumed it was CGI!
He is very lucky! Well done, that did not give up and found a place in life!
Load More Replies... WHY HAS HE NOT BEEN CAST TO DO A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MOVIE AS JACK??? He would be perfect! He would be the King of Halloween! He is the King of Halloween! But this pictures in the roles he has played! Just creepily amazing!!!
Good for him! I hope he sees a cardiologist (or GP at least) regularly though. Marfan's is a connective tissue disorder which makes things like blood vessel walls especially weak and usually ends up with the patient dying of aortic dissection. The survival rate is much higher these days though, especially with preventive surgery on the aortic root. I can't tell from the pics if he has had the surgery or not. Since he was diagnosed so young it has probably been monitored though. I'm glad he found a niche where his disease is a benefit not a hindrance.
I wonder if he's worked with Doug Jones yet!!! That would be aaaweeesome!!! They both rock!! (Doug was in Hellboy, Star Trek Discoveries, Pan's Labyrinth and sooo much more!)
He and Doug were the ghosts in Crimson Peak. Doug speaks highly and often of this actor. I just hope that people recognise that Doug Jones has been the go-to creature actor since the late 70s. This man is the great next-gen! Both incredible actors.
Load More Replies... He looks as such a nice guy! But I would never want to make him angry... can you image him after argument in some creepy costume waiting for you to "boo" at you as revenge?! I would die on spot.
Why would he do that? He’s not a monster in reality. The whole point of this article was for you to see him as the nice and normal human he is.
Load More Replies... He has a great smile! I'd love to see him do a non-special-effects role.
May have had. He lacked the two distinct signs: poor vision and a heart murmur. Blood on a dress from the night he was assasinated was tested and it showed positive for MEN 2B - a different genetic disorder.
Load More Replies... My friend and business partner died of what was probably Marfans Syndrome in 2015. He was 38 years old. He was his parents youngest child. A genuine Native American, Mohawk Indian, he was brilliant with computers and music equipment. His poor family was devastated. We all were. Jacob David Odgers, Detroit, Michigan and Franklin, Tennessee; rest in peace my friend.
I remember in elementary school music class, being told that Paganini probably had marfan syndrome. Of course, being in elementary school, i thought the teacher said "marzipan syndrome".
WTF this is amazing! I've seen some of these movies and always assumed it was CGI!
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