Famous Dead Celebrity Halloween Party Costumes

Dead Celebrities Are This Year's Most Popular Halloween Costume Idea

Oct 3, 2009 Heather Zorzini

Dressing like a dead celebrity is an easy and economical adult Halloween costume idea, usually requiring just a wig and a simple accessory to get in character.

According to CNNMoney.com, dressing like a dead celebrity will be the most popular Halloween costume theme this year.

How to Dress Like a Dead Celebrity for a Halloween Costume Party

Start with an identifiable symbol, like Farrah Fawcett’s hair, Michael Jackson’s sequined glove or Humphrey Bogart’s white dinner jacket. Additional clothing and props can be simple and comfortable.

Never choose a dead celebrity if one needs a face mask or accent to create a convincing portrayal. Masks can be uncomfortable and mannerisms can be tiring. It’s a party, so the focus should be on having fun rather than working hard to stay in character.

Dead Celebrities can include anyone in the arts, sciences, politics or pop culture and historical figures. Add some wit to a dead celebrity Halloween costume by portraying someone who is still alive, but whose career – political or otherwise – is dead.

Dead Celebrity Halloween Costume – Tribute or Parody?

There are two ways to dress as a dead celebrity at Halloween. For authentic or tribute-style dressing, pick a celebrity that one somewhat resembles. For a parody costume, anything goes. Consider a portly Michael Jackson, as in Weird Al Jankovic’s “Eat It” spoof of Michael Jackson’s song “Beat It.”

Recently Deceased Celebrities as Halloween Costume Ideas

It might seem simple to emulate a recently deceased personality but not every celebrity will translate into a Halloween costume. The strong style of Michael Jackson makes him easier to copy than someone like Patrick Swayze.

Farrah Fawcett-style wigs have been available at Halloween costume shops for many years. Though recent photos of Farrah were published at the time of her death, she will always be remembered for her 1970s long, blonde, layered haircut.

Halloween Costumes for Different Celebrity Eras

Some stars, such as Elvis Presley, have distinct periods that one can explore for Halloween costume ideas. Add signature black hair and suitable sideburns to create a young Elvis in an army uniform, black leather jacket or Hawaiian shirt. Sunglasses, sequins and jumpsuits are essential for his later Vegas era.

The same is true for Michael Jackson, where tribute costume ideas might range from the Afro-haired young singer in flared pants and wide collars, through to the end of his life where he had long, straight hair, paler skin and wore large dark glasses.

Classic and Contemporary Dead Celebrity Halloween Party Costume Ideas

Marilyn Monroe – bouffant blonde wig, red lipstick, beauty mark
Anna Nicole Smith – see above
Marlene Dietrich – top hat, blonde wig, tuxedo
Audrey Hepburn – upswept hairdo, pearls, elegant black dress and cigarette holder
Carmen Miranda - fruit-filled headdress, off-the-shoulder blouse, skirt
Frida Kahlo – black braided hair, colourful Mexican dress, unibrow
Liberace – bouffant hair, fur or feather-edged cape, flamboyant jewellery
Steve Irwin – khaki shirt and shorts, boots, mini-crocodile
Groucho Marx – thick eyebrows and moustache, round glasses, cigar
John Wayne – cowboy boots and hat
Andy Warhol – shaggy white wig, black stare
Sonny Bono – shaggy brown wig, floppy moustache, sheepskin vest
John Lennon – granny glasses, long brown wig, chain with peace sign

Dead Celebrity Halloween Party Costume Forecast:

Film biographies of both Coco Chanel and Amelia Earhart will soon be released. Avant-garde adult revellers will wear multi-strands of pearls or leather bomber jackets and goggles. Other popular do-it-yourself ideas include '50s, '60s and '70s themed costumes.

The copyright of the article Famous Dead Celebrity Halloween Party Costumes in Entertaining is owned by Heather Zorzini. Permission to republish Famous Dead Celebrity Halloween Party Costumes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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