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** The titular characterto a ridiculous degree. He can switch between the roles of billionaire playboy, brilliant businessman, badass loner vigilante crimefighter and Gotham gangster in the blink of an eye. His real personality, which his extended surrogate family of sidekicks and his butler have to occasionally remind him still exists, is simply a good and generous man who is driven to help others. He even mentions he took acting lessons from Alfred, a stage actor in another life, when he reveals to a villainess who tried to manipulate him romantically that he hadn't fallen for her act and he was just playing along.

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** The titular characterto character, to a ridiculous degree. He can switch between the roles of billionaire playboy, brilliant businessman, badass loner vigilante crimefighter and Gotham gangster in the blink of an eye. His real personality, which his extended surrogate family of sidekicks and his butler have to occasionally remind him still exists, is simply a good and generous man who is driven to help others. He even mentions he took acting lessons from Alfred, a stage actor in another life, when he reveals to a villainess who tried to manipulate him romantically that he hadn't fallen for her act and he was just playing along.



* ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Prince Hans. When he first meets Anna, he is polite and awkward, and they even sing a duet together. Even when she is no longer around, he is polite and princely. [[spoiler:It's not until he finds out Anna is dying that he drops this act, shocking everyone. In fact, the creators even compared him to a [[AnimalMotifs chameleon]], and he's partially based on the Mirror in the [[Literature/TheSnowQueen original tale]]. [[RewatchBonus If one rewatches the film]], they should note that his eyebrows don't budge an inch when he smiles, which hints that he's faking it. There are only a few times where his expressions are real, like when he's dangling from the stairway after Marshmallow the snow monster [[TakingYouWithMe tries taking him into an abyss]]. As with real-life sociopaths, his personality is inconsistent with whomever he's interacting]].

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* ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Prince Hans. When he first meets Anna, he is polite and awkward, and they even sing a duet together. Even when she is no longer around, he is polite and princely. [[spoiler:It's not until he finds out Anna is dying that he drops this act, shocking everyone. In fact, the creators even compared him to a [[AnimalMotifs chameleon]], and he's partially based on the Mirror in the [[Literature/TheSnowQueen original tale]]. [[RewatchBonus If one rewatches the film]], they should note that his eyebrows don't budge an inch when he smiles, which hints that he's faking it. There are only a few times where his expressions are real, like when he's dangling from the stairway after Marshmallow the snow monster [[TakingYouWithMe tries taking him into an abyss]]. As with real-life sociopaths, his personality is inconsistent with whomever he's interacting]].interacting.]]



* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Sameer's primary role is to fool people using his acting abilites. He would have been a career actor, [[DeliberateValuesDissonance but the racism of the era barred him from it]].

to:

* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Sameer's primary role is to fool people using his acting abilites.abilities. He would have been a career actor, [[DeliberateValuesDissonance but the racism of the era barred him from it]].



* Myth/ClassicalMythology: Odysseus gets to show off his acting chops several times, making this OlderThanFeudualism.

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* Myth/ClassicalMythology: Odysseus gets to show off his acting chops several times, making this OlderThanFeudualism.OlderThanFeudalism.
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* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugLilaRossi Lila Rossi]] is an incredibly charismatic, intelligent, adaptive, and convincing actress who manages to win over almost everybody and keep up her lies over a very long time. [[spoiler:She also acts under false aliases.]]

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* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugLilaRossi Lila Rossi]] Rossi is an incredibly charismatic, intelligent, adaptive, and convincing actress who manages to win over almost everybody and keep up her lies over a very long time. [[spoiler:She also acts under false aliases.]]
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When they want to, they can change their mannerisms, their voice, and every other non-physical aspect to seem like a completely different person. Usually done by evil characters, in a BitchInSheepsClothing sort of way. This is the kind of character that causes fans to cry "wait, is that [[SplitPersonality even the same character]]?"

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When they want to, they can change their mannerisms, their voice, and every other non-physical aspect to seem like a completely different person. Usually done by evil characters, in a BitchInSheepsClothing sort of way. This is the kind of character that causes fans to cry "wait, cry, "Wait, is that [[SplitPersonality even the same character]]?"



* Grelle Sutcliffe of ''Manga/BlackButler'' is introduced as the shy, bumbling, unassuming, and thoroughly incompetent servant of Madame Red. [[spoiler: When she's caught red-handed in the middle of a murder, she [[SlasherSmile grins]], changes her entire posture, manner, and (in the anime, at least) cadence of voice, and thanks the ones who caught her for complimenting her work. "I'm an actress, after all-- and a top-rate one, at that!" And the only [[MasterOfDisguise physical things she changed]] were rinsing out the ink in her hair and putting her makeup back on.]] It's usually forgotten about because from that point on Grelle's persona stays fairly consistent, but the transformation is incredible.
** [[VillainProtagonist Ciel]] could also be considered an example, since the Circus arc, though he's a bit one-note. He's learnt to flawlessly adopt a loving, naive CheerfulChild persona when he needs to throw people off his scent, though when in private he'll immediately revert to his misanthropic, WiseBeyondHisYears, cold self. The act has already served him well in the Circus, murder mystery, and Weston Academy arcs so far.
* Captain Aizen in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' to the point it's no longer a spoiler. [[spoiler: He even fooled his subordinate Gin who spent a century plotting Aizen's death and acting as his subordinate to get close enough to him to help him find a way to kill Aizen. When Gin finally makes his move, Aizen reveals that he knew all along that Gin was plotting to betray him and, while Gin did manage to spring a couple of surprises on Aizen regarding the nature of his power, all it did was play right into Aizen's plan, which had been to use Gin's desire for vengeance as a stepping stone to even greater power. Gin had no idea until Aizen told him that Aizen had been onto him for years.]]
** However, Aizen being Aizen, it's possible he just made that up.
* Light Yagami of ''Manga/DeathNote'' actually convinces most of the cast that he ''isn't'' Kira and is able to win people's trust with a few practiced smiles. In [[AllThereInTheManual the data book]] his acting skills are rated 10/10.
* In ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'', Envy can not only shapeshift but also change his voice. Unfortunately, he doesn't always get the mannerisms correct, though.
* ''Manga/{{Kakegurui}}'': The Hollywood actress Kawaru Natari is an Oscar-level actress that can utterly demolish everyone else in acting. She makes a gamble against Yumemite based on their talent in acting and can utterly demolish her with absolute control of her entire body, which includes even controlling her own reactions.
* [[spoiler:Kaede]] in ''Literature/{{Kampfer}}'' is secretly the BigBad and behind nearly everything in the series--including, quite possibly, [[ObliviousToLove the main character's stupidity]]. Very few people saw this coming, and those that did assumed it would be a case of SplitPersonality.
* Airi Komiyama in the anime ''Manga/ThoseWhoHuntElves'' is a supreme actress; in addition to being a master of disguise, she can manipulate just about anyone with the right act.
* ''Literature/{{Toradora}}'' has Ami, the BitchInSheepsClothing, who acts nice and innocent, but eventually reveals [[JerkAss her true nature]].
* Keima in ''Manga/TheWorldGodOnlyKnows'' is very good at putting on an act to get girls to fall for him provided they fit certain archetypes seen in dating sims. Even if the girls ''don't'' fit those types, he's still able to improvise very quickly. Haqua is briefly disturbed when she sees him immediately shrug off one such persona as easily as most people take off masks.
* In ''Manga/OnePiece'' [[spoiler:"Evening Shower" Kanjuro one of the Akazaya Nine]] spent ''years'' pretending to be a loyal comrade to the others and even risked genuine mortal danger many times just to maintain the act. He even admits that he'd have gladly died fighting alongside them for the sake of his role. [[spoiler:This is because he's actually Kanjuro Kurozumi, a relative of Orochi's whose parents were killed during the purge of the Kurozumis. Having grown up in a kabuki theater, Kanjuro found meaning in his life by taking on role after role, honing his craft. When Orochi recruited him and ordered him to play the role of a Kozuki retainer, Kanjuro gladly accepted.]]



* ''Manga/BlackButler'':
** Grelle Sutcliffe is introduced as the shy, bumbling, unassuming, and thoroughly incompetent servant of Madame Red. [[spoiler:When she's caught red-handed in the middle of a murder, she [[SlasherSmile grins]], changes her entire posture, manner, and (in the anime, at least) cadence of voice, and thanks the ones who caught her for complimenting her work. "I'm an actress, after all -- and a top-rate one, at that!" And the only [[MasterOfDisguise physical things she changed]] were rinsing out the ink in her hair and putting her makeup back on.]] It's usually forgotten about because from that point on Grelle's persona stays fairly consistent, but the transformation is incredible.
** VillainProtagonist Ciel could also be considered an example, since the Circus arc, though he's a bit one-note. He's learnt to flawlessly adopt a loving, naive CheerfulChild persona when he needs to throw people off his scent, though when in private he'll immediately revert to his misanthropic, WiseBeyondHisYears, cold self. The act has already served him well in the Circus, murder mystery, and Weston Academy arcs so far.
* Captain Aizen in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' to the point it's no longer a spoiler for anyone going into the series. [[spoiler:He even fooled his subordinate Gin who spent a century plotting Aizen's death and acting as his subordinate to get close enough to him to help him find a way to kill Aizen. When Gin finally makes his move, Aizen reveals that he knew all along that Gin was plotting to betray him and, while Gin did manage to spring a couple of surprises on Aizen regarding the nature of his power, all it did was play right into Aizen's plan, which had been to use Gin's desire for vengeance as a stepping stone to even greater power. Gin had no idea until Aizen told him that Aizen had been onto him for years.]] However, Aizen being Aizen, it's possible he just made that up.



* Light Yagami of ''Manga/DeathNote'' actually convinces most of the cast that he ''isn't'' Kira and is able to win people's trust with a few practiced smiles. In [[AllThereInTheManual the data book]], his acting skills are rated 10/10.
* In ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'', Envy can not only shapeshift but also change his voice. Unfortunately, he doesn't always get the mannerisms correct.
* ''Manga/{{Kakegurui}}'': The Hollywood actress Kawaru Natari is an Oscar-level actress that can utterly demolish everyone else in acting. She makes a gamble against Yumemite based on their talent in acting and can utterly demolish her with absolute control of her entire body, which includes even controlling her own reactions.
* [[spoiler:Kaede]] in ''Literature/{{Kampfer}}'' is secretly the BigBad and behind nearly everything in the series--including, quite possibly, [[ObliviousToLove the main character's stupidity]]. Very few people saw this coming, and those that did assumed it would be a case of SplitPersonality.
* In ''Manga/OnePiece'' [[spoiler:"Evening Shower" Kanjuro one of the Akazaya Nine]] spent ''years'' pretending to be a loyal comrade to the others and even risked genuine mortal danger many times just to maintain the act. He even admits that he'd have gladly died fighting alongside them for the sake of his role. [[spoiler:This is because he's actually Kanjuro Kurozumi, a relative of Orochi's whose parents were killed during the purge of the Kurozumis. Having grown up in a kabuki theater, Kanjuro found meaning in his life by taking on role after role, honing his craft. When Orochi recruited him and ordered him to play the role of a Kozuki retainer, Kanjuro gladly accepted.]]
* Airi Komiyama in the anime ''Manga/ThoseWhoHuntElves'' is a supreme actress; in addition to being a master of disguise, she can manipulate just about anyone with the right act.
* ''Literature/{{Toradora}}'' has Ami, the BitchInSheepsClothing, who acts nice and innocent, but eventually reveals [[JerkAss her true nature]].
* Keima in ''Manga/TheWorldGodOnlyKnows'' is very good at putting on an act to get girls to fall for him provided they fit certain archetypes seen in dating sims. Even if the girls ''don't'' fit those types, he's still able to improvise very quickly. Haqua is briefly disturbed when she sees him immediately shrug off one such persona as easily as most people take off masks.



* Franchise/{{Batman}} to a ridiculous degree. He can switch between the roles of billionaire playboy, brilliant businessman, badass loner vigilante crimefighter and Gotham gangster in the blink of an eye. His real personality, which his extended surrogate family of sidekicks and his butler have to occasionally remind him still exists, is simply a good and generous man who is driven to help others. He even mentions he took acting lessons from Alfred, a stage actor in another life, when he reveals to a villainess who tried to manipulate him romantically that he hadn't fallen for her act and he was just playing along.
* Similarly, [[ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} Dick Grayson]] also mentions being trained by Alfred. His actual personality is that of a good, passionate guy who happens to be incredibly personable. He's slipped into ditz, bad boy, racist tourist bro, gay French gym instructor, Irish gangster and pick-up artist before. The last four were all ''[[ComicBook/{{Grayson}} within one series]]'', no less, when he was a spy and needed these skills.
* [[ComicBook/BlackWidow Natasha Romanova]] is one, thanks to her nature as ''the'' master spy in the Marvel Universe, being able to pass unnoticed in almost any crowd without any serious effort, despite her stunning good looks and global fame as an Avenger.

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* Franchise/{{Batman}} to ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':
** The titular characterto
a ridiculous degree. He can switch between the roles of billionaire playboy, brilliant businessman, badass loner vigilante crimefighter and Gotham gangster in the blink of an eye. His real personality, which his extended surrogate family of sidekicks and his butler have to occasionally remind him still exists, is simply a good and generous man who is driven to help others. He even mentions he took acting lessons from Alfred, a stage actor in another life, when he reveals to a villainess who tried to manipulate him romantically that he hadn't fallen for her act and he was just playing along.
* ** Similarly, [[ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} Dick Grayson]] also mentions being trained by Alfred. His actual personality is that of a good, passionate guy who happens to be incredibly personable. He's slipped into ditz, bad boy, racist tourist bro, gay French gym instructor, Irish gangster and pick-up artist before. The last four were all ''[[ComicBook/{{Grayson}} within one series]]'', no less, when he was a spy and needed these skills.
* [[ComicBook/BlackWidow ''ComicBook/BlackWidow'': Natasha Romanova]] Romanova is one, thanks to her nature as ''the'' master spy in the Marvel Universe, being able to pass unnoticed in almost any crowd without any serious effort, despite her stunning good looks and global fame as an Avenger.



* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'':
** There are the canonical examples of Loki and Natasha, as well as Albus Dumbledore, who though benevolent, is nowhere near as harmlessly kooky as he pretends to be. Or rather, he ''is'', but that's far from all he is, as he occasionally chooses to demonstrate.
** Harry starts becoming this in the sequel, which makes it very hard even for people who know him well to know for sure what he's thinking. This is what makes Carol so important to figuring out his emotional state, as thanks to a PsychicLink created by some well-intentioned consensual but clumsy psychic surgery on Harry's part, the two of them have a connection, and she has a backdoor into his brain. This means that she knows what he's ''really'' thinking/feeling... usually. As she admits, sometimes even she finds him hard to read.

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* %%ZCE %%* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'':
** %%** There are the canonical examples of Loki and Natasha, as well as Albus Dumbledore, who though benevolent, is nowhere near as harmlessly kooky as he pretends to be. Or rather, he ''is'', but that's far from all he is, as he occasionally chooses to demonstrate.
** %%** Harry starts becoming this in the sequel, which makes it very hard even for people who know him well to know for sure what he's thinking. This is what makes Carol so important to figuring out his emotional state, as thanks to a PsychicLink created by some well-intentioned consensual but clumsy psychic surgery on Harry's part, the two of them have a connection, and she has a backdoor into his brain. This means that she knows what he's ''really'' thinking/feeling... usually. As she admits, sometimes even she finds him hard to read.



[[folder:Film - Animated]]

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[[folder:Film - -- Animated]]



* ''WesternAnimation/Nimona2023'': The titular character has moments of this, which makes sense due to the fact that she is a shapeshifter. Part of this is shown when she imitates Ballister in the subway to cause a distraction, playing him off as a cartoony villain (as this is how the entire kingdom sees him at the moment). She imitates him so well that the only way Ambrosius figures out it's not him is the fact that he started playing the saxophone, which is a type of music he apparently hates. [[spoiler: Later, she impersonates Ambrosius so the Director will kill him and confess to being the one to frame Ballister and murder the queen. She was so convincing that the Director didn't realize it wasn't Ambrosius until Nimona pulled the sword out of her gut and walked away like it was nothing.]]

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* ''WesternAnimation/Nimona2023'': The titular character has moments of this, which makes sense due to the fact that she is a shapeshifter. Part of this is shown when she imitates Ballister in the subway to cause a distraction, playing him off as a cartoony villain (as this is how the entire kingdom sees him at the moment). She imitates him so well that the only way Ambrosius figures out it's not him is the fact that he started playing the saxophone, which is a type of music he apparently hates. [[spoiler: Later, [[spoiler:Later, she impersonates Ambrosius so the Director will kill him and confess to being the one to frame Ballister and murder the queen. She was so convincing that the Director didn't realize it wasn't Ambrosius until Nimona pulled the sword out of her gut and walked away like it was nothing.]]



[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]

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[[folder:Film - -- Live-Action]]



* [[spoiler:Aaron]] from ''Film/PrimalFear''.

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* %%* [[spoiler:Aaron]] from ''Film/PrimalFear''.''Film/PrimalFear''. %%ZCE



* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Sameer's primary role is to fool people using his acting abilites. He would have been a career actor, [[DeliberateValuesDissonance but the racism of the era barred him from it]].



--> "He'll have to act fast!"

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--> "He'll -->"He'll have to act fast!"



* [[spoiler:Christine]] from ''Film/WitnessForTheProsecution''
** [[spoiler:Leonard]] as well.

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* %%* [[spoiler:Christine]] from ''Film/WitnessForTheProsecution''
**
''Film/WitnessForTheProsecution''. [[spoiler:Leonard]] as well.well. %%ZCE
* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Sameer's primary role is to fool people using his acting abilites. He would have been a career actor, [[DeliberateValuesDissonance but the racism of the era barred him from it]].



* In the ''Literature/DotHackAIBuster'' novels, [[spoiler: Hokuto's been giving off the idea of being a teenager, when, in actuality, she's a professional translator who's slightly older than the protagonist, Albireo. Heck, she's even referred to in a supplementary description as a skilled actor]].

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* In the ''Literature/DotHackAIBuster'' novels, [[spoiler: Hokuto's [[spoiler:Hokuto's been giving off the idea of being a teenager, when, in actuality, she's a professional translator who's slightly older than the protagonist, Albireo. Heck, she's even referred to in a supplementary description as a skilled actor]].



* ''Literature/HarryPotter''
** [[spoiler: Professor Quirrel]] spent years acting like a cowardly, stammering NervousWreck to ensure people underestimated him [[spoiler:and didn't suspect him of being Voldemort's host body]].
** [[spoiler: Barty Crouch Jr.]] He may have [[spoiler: used Polyjuice potion]] but keeping the act up for most of ''a year'' would require considerable skill and focus
** [[BigBad Voldemort/Tom Riddle]]: when he was in school, he convinced everyone except [[GoodIsNotDumb Dumbledore]] that he was just a normal, if [[TeenGenius precocious child]] for ''seven years'', even though he was a [[TheSociopath sociopath]] [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior even then]]. He was such a good actor and a liar that he actually [[spoiler: got away with committing murder]] while he was in school, and later, managed to [[spoiler: [[FalseFriend pretend to be friends]] [[WouldHurtAChild with an eleven-year-old girl]] for an entire year]], even though he had nothing but disgust for her.
* The title character of ''Literature/HoratioHornblower'', although he uses it for everyday situations rather than spying or infiltration. He sees himself as constantly playacting the role of the imperturbable captain. He can put on the appearance of a bloodthirsty tyrant as easily as putting on a hat. Moreover, he perfectly convinces his wife Maria that he loves her when he only proposed out of pity and grew totally indifferent--for twenty years she never suspects.

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* ''Literature/HarryPotter''
''Literature/HarryPotter'':
** [[spoiler: Professor Quirrel]] [[spoiler:Professor Quirrell]] spent years acting like a cowardly, stammering NervousWreck to ensure people underestimated him [[spoiler:and didn't suspect him of being Voldemort's host body]].
** [[spoiler: Barty [[spoiler:Barty Crouch Jr.]] He may have [[spoiler: used [[spoiler:used Polyjuice potion]] but keeping the act up for most of ''a year'' would require considerable skill and focus
** [[BigBad Voldemort/Tom Riddle]]: when Riddle]]. When he was in school, he convinced everyone except [[GoodIsNotDumb Dumbledore]] that he was just a normal, if [[TeenGenius precocious child]] for ''seven years'', even though he was a [[TheSociopath sociopath]] even [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior even then]]. He was such a good actor and a liar that he actually [[spoiler: got [[spoiler:got away with committing murder]] while he was in school, and later, managed to [[spoiler: [[FalseFriend [[spoiler:[[FalseFriend pretend to be friends]] with [[WouldHurtAChild with an eleven-year-old girl]] for an entire year]], even though he had nothing but disgust for her.
* The title character of ''Literature/HoratioHornblower'', although he uses it for everyday situations rather than spying or infiltration. He sees himself as constantly playacting the role of the imperturbable captain. He can put on the appearance of a bloodthirsty tyrant as easily as putting on a hat. Moreover, he perfectly convinces his wife Maria that he loves her when he only proposed out of pity and grew totally indifferent--for indifferent -- for twenty years she never suspects.



* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''

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* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':



* ''Series/TheUntamed'': Jin Guangyao and [[spoiler: Nie Huaisang]] have both spent ''years'' concealing their true natures from the entire world and the people closest to them. [[spoiler: Nie Huaisang]] takes it a step further and manages to fool even Jin Guangyao.
* In ''Series/WandaVision,'' [[spoiler:Agatha]]'s performance as the [[spoiler:"real" Agnes]], complete with BrokenTears, helpless terror, and clear evidence of psychological trauma, is so indistinguishable from the real breakdowns that Westview residents have been going through that it's able to completely fool Vision (albeit a Vision who's shown to be much weaker than normal). Lampshaded in the "______ All Along" montage, which features [[spoiler:her]] checking out [[spoiler:her]] hair and makeup while Vision's distracted, before resuming [[spoiler:her]] pained expression and turning back in time to face him.
* This talent is part of what makes [[GentlemanThief Neal Caffrey]] from ''Series/WhiteCollar'' such an effective [[ConMan confidence man]], and later, CI.
** During the course of the show, [[ConsummateLiar he successfully convinces various marks/suspects that he is:]] [[RefugeInAudacity A doctor, a stockbroker, various other shades of corporate slimeball, a political fixer]], [[ShoutOut a pilot]], a forger of fine whisky (not untrue), an agent for a professional figure skater, an agent for a classic jazz singer, a famous, eccentric artist, a butler, a fencer, the heir to several different fortunes, and an assassin. It also comes out in a conversation with [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist his handler]], [[OddCouple Peter Burke]] that pre-series, he spent time on college campuses, though not as a student, and that, even though he never even graduated high school, [[RenaissanceMan he was able to convince others that he had several different advanced degrees.]]

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* ''Series/TheUntamed'': Jin Guangyao and [[spoiler: Nie [[spoiler:Nie Huaisang]] have both spent ''years'' concealing their true natures from the entire world and the people closest to them. [[spoiler: Nie [[spoiler:Nie Huaisang]] takes it a step further and manages to fool even Jin Guangyao.
* In ''Series/WandaVision,'' ''Series/WandaVision'', [[spoiler:Agatha]]'s performance as the [[spoiler:"real" Agnes]], complete with BrokenTears, helpless terror, and clear evidence of psychological trauma, is so indistinguishable from the real breakdowns that Westview residents have been going through that it's able to completely fool Vision (albeit a Vision who's shown to be much weaker than normal). Lampshaded in the "______ All Along" montage, which features [[spoiler:her]] checking out [[spoiler:her]] hair and makeup while Vision's distracted, before resuming [[spoiler:her]] pained expression and turning back in time to face him.
* This talent is part of what makes [[GentlemanThief Neal Caffrey]] from ''Series/WhiteCollar'' such an effective [[ConMan confidence man]], and later, CI. \n** During the course of the show, [[ConsummateLiar he successfully convinces various marks/suspects marks/suspects]] that he is:]] is [[RefugeInAudacity A a doctor, a stockbroker, various other shades of corporate slimeball, a political fixer]], [[ShoutOut a pilot]], a forger of fine whisky (not untrue), an agent for a professional figure skater, an agent for a classic jazz singer, a famous, eccentric artist, a butler, a fencer, the heir to several different fortunes, and an assassin. It also comes out in a conversation with [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist his handler]], [[OddCouple Peter Burke]] that pre-series, he spent time on college campuses, though not as a student, and that, even though he never even graduated high school, [[RenaissanceMan he was able to convince others that he had several different advanced degrees.]]degrees]].



* [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Odysseus]] gets to show off his acting chops several times, making this OlderThanDirt
* The Devil from the Bible, supposedly this is one of his best abilities, he never appears to people as himself, he always appears as a friendly and non-threatening individual. It would be pretty hard to convince people to sin if he appeared as a horned monster.

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* [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Odysseus]] gets to show off his acting chops several times, making this OlderThanDirt
* The Devil from the Bible, supposedly
''Literature/TheBible'': Supposedly, this is one of his the Devil's best abilities, abilities: he never appears to people as himself, himself; he always appears as a friendly and non-threatening individual. It would be pretty hard to convince people to sin if he appeared as a horned monster.monster.
* Myth/ClassicalMythology: Odysseus gets to show off his acting chops several times, making this OlderThanFeudualism.



* ''Videogame/MassEffect2'': Morinth, [[spoiler:if chosen over Samara during the latter's loyalty mission, will perfectly assume her mother's identity down to her voice and mannerisms, with very few slip ups. Morinth herself stated that acting and posing as her mother is a skill she perfected over the years; indicating that her acting talent helped her orchestrate her escape from Thessia.]]
* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[GodWasMyCopilot God]].]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'' has a couple of examples:

to:

* ''Videogame/MassEffect2'': Morinth, [[spoiler:if chosen over Samara during the latter's loyalty mission, will perfectly assume her mother's identity down to her voice and mannerisms, with very few slip ups. Morinth herself stated that acting and posing as her mother is a skill she perfected over the years; indicating that her acting talent helped her orchestrate her escape from Thessia.]]
* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[GodWasMyCopilot God]].]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'' has a couple of examples:
''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'':



* Wesker of ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' was a talented enough actor to fool of group of elite cops for two years into believing he was a good guy, which is very much ''not'' [[TheSociopath his]] [[{{Narcissist}} true]] [[{{Jerkass}} personality]]. He even appeared to be putting on an American accent.

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* Wesker of ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' was a talented enough actor to fool of group of elite cops for two years into believing he was a good guy, which is very much ''not'' his true personality -- a {{narcissist}}ic [[TheSociopath his]] [[{{Narcissist}} true]] [[{{Jerkass}} personality]]. sociopath]]. He even appeared to be putting on an American accent.accent.
* ''Videogame/MassEffect2'': Morinth, [[spoiler:if chosen over Samara during the latter's loyalty mission, will perfectly assume her mother's identity down to her voice and mannerisms, with very few slip-ups. Morinth herself stated that acting and posing as her mother is a skill she perfected over the years; indicating that her acting talent helped her orchestrate her escape from Thessia.]]
* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[GodWasMyCopilot God]]]].



* ''VisualNovel/HalloweenOtome'': [[spoiler: The Count, due to his quick costume changes and ability to fool everyone (well, except Mr. Bandages) to not knowing that he's Erik.]]
* Going on WMG, [[spoiler:Battler Ushiromiya]] of ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' might be this. Throughout the sixth arc, he acts like an incompetent mess, [[spoiler:getting himself trapped in a [[AFateWorseThanDeath Logic Error]] for years until Kanon saves him.]] But a WMG theorizes that he planned the whole thing [[spoiler:in order to revive Beatrice]], which if true means that he managed to not only fool [[spoiler:Erika and Bernkastel]], he managed to fool ''the readers'', most of whom thought he was just being an idiot.
** Yasu is definitely one.

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* ''VisualNovel/HalloweenOtome'': [[spoiler: The [[spoiler:The Count, due to his quick costume changes and ability to fool everyone (well, except Mr. Bandages) to not knowing that he's Erik.]]
* Going on WMG, [[spoiler:Battler Ushiromiya]] of ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' might be this. Throughout the sixth arc, he acts like an incompetent mess, [[spoiler:getting himself trapped in a [[AFateWorseThanDeath Logic Error]] for years until Kanon saves him.]] him]]. But a WMG theorizes that he planned the whole thing [[spoiler:in order to revive Beatrice]], which if true means that he managed to not only fool [[spoiler:Erika and Bernkastel]], he managed to fool ''the readers'', most of whom thought he was just being an idiot.
** %%** Yasu is definitely one.one. %%ZCE



* Zartan and Zarana from ''Franchise/GIJoe''. Zartan, especially, is such a master of disguise and language that he is able to perfectly copy someone's voice after hearing them speak ''once.''
* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': [[Characters/SamuraiJackAku Aku]], being a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifter]], is good at this as a [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Required Secondary Power]]. He once traveled with Jack for a good period of time without getting found out, while in the form of a humanoid woman.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerDoubleTrouble Double Trouble]] is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on. They can even create new characters that no one knows [[spoiler: like Flutterina]], allowing them creative freedom and an even smaller chance of being caught.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' had Troy [=McClure=]. Until he was retired with the death of his voice actor, Troy was portrayed as a [[WhiteDwarfStarlet washed up has-been-in-denial]] whose GloryDays consisted of a lot of forgettable roles in {{B Movie}}s and failed commercials, and became radioactive in Hollywood when word got out about his [[YouDoNotWantToKnow fondness for fish]]. However, when he gets the lead role in a genuinely ''good'' production, Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes TheMusical, Troy's excellent performance gives him a brief CareerResurrection.

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* ''Franchise/GIJoe'': Zartan and Zarana from ''Franchise/GIJoe''. Zartan, especially, is such a master of disguise and language that he is able to perfectly copy someone's voice after hearing them speak ''once.''
* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': [[Characters/SamuraiJackAku Aku]], being a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifter]], is good at this as a [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Required Secondary Power]]. He once traveled with Jack
''once''. %%Context for a good period of time without getting found out, while in the form of a humanoid woman.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerDoubleTrouble Double Trouble]] is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on. They can even create new characters that no one knows [[spoiler: like Flutterina]], allowing them creative freedom and an even smaller chance of being caught.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' had Troy [=McClure=]. Until he was retired with the death of his voice actor, Troy was portrayed as a [[WhiteDwarfStarlet washed up has-been-in-denial]] whose GloryDays consisted of a lot of forgettable roles in {{B Movie}}s and failed commercials, and became radioactive in Hollywood when word got out about his [[YouDoNotWantToKnow fondness for fish]]. However, when he gets the lead role in a genuinely ''good'' production, Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes TheMusical, Troy's excellent performance gives him a brief CareerResurrection.
Zarana?



* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugLilaRossi Lila Rossi]] is an incredibly charismatic, intelligent, adaptive, and convincing actress who manages to win over almost everybody and keep up her lies over a very long time. [[spoiler: She also acts under false aliases.]]

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* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugLilaRossi Lila Rossi]] is an incredibly charismatic, intelligent, adaptive, and convincing actress who manages to win over almost everybody and keep up her lies over a very long time. [[spoiler: She [[spoiler:She also acts under false aliases.]]]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': [[Characters/SamuraiJackAku Aku]], being a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifter]], is good at this as a {{Required Secondary Power|s}}. He once traveled with Jack for a good period of time without getting found out, while in the form of a humanoid woman.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerDoubleTrouble Double Trouble]] is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on. They can even create new characters that no one knows [[spoiler:like Flutterina]], allowing them creative freedom and an even smaller chance of being caught.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' had Troy [=McClure=]. Until he was retired with the death of his voice actor, Troy was portrayed as a [[WhiteDwarfStarlet washed up has-been-in-denial]] whose GloryDays consisted of a lot of forgettable roles in {{B Movie}}s and failed commercials, and became radioactive in Hollywood when word got out about his [[YouDoNotWantToKnow fondness for fish]]. However, when he gets the lead role in a genuinely ''good'' production, Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes TheMusical, Troy's excellent performance gives him a brief CareerResurrection.
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A RequiredSecondaryPower for most {{Shapeshifter}}s. Otherwise, how could they pass as - for example - the President of the United States? Of course, [[HilarityEnsues much humor can be had]] if they ''don't'' fall under this trope.

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A RequiredSecondaryPower for most {{Shapeshifter}}s. Otherwise, how could they pass as - -- for example - -- the President of the United States? Of course, [[HilarityEnsues much humor can be had]] if they ''don't'' fall under this trope.
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->''"[[BeYourself Being yourself]] is overrated."''

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->''"[[BeYourself Being yourself]] ->''"Being yourself is overrated."''
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* Franchise/{{Batman}} to a ridiculous degree. He can switch between the roles of billionaire playboy, brilliant businessman, badass loner vigilante crimefighter and Gotham gangster in the blink of an eye. His real personality, which his extended surrogate family of sidekicks and his butler have to occasionally remind him still exists, is simply a good and generous man who is driven to help others. He even mentions he took acting lessons from Alfred when he reveals to a villainess who tried to manipulate him romantically that he hadn't fallen for her act and he was just playing along.

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* Franchise/{{Batman}} to a ridiculous degree. He can switch between the roles of billionaire playboy, brilliant businessman, badass loner vigilante crimefighter and Gotham gangster in the blink of an eye. His real personality, which his extended surrogate family of sidekicks and his butler have to occasionally remind him still exists, is simply a good and generous man who is driven to help others. He even mentions he took acting lessons from Alfred Alfred, a stage actor in another life, when he reveals to a villainess who tried to manipulate him romantically that he hadn't fallen for her act and he was just playing along.



* ''Literature/TheGhostInTheTokaidoInn'', one of Thomas and Dorothy Hoobler's Judge Ooka mysteries, has Tominio, a Kabuki actor whose ability to impersonate women is ''eerie'', and also a ChekhovsGun.

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* ''Literature/TheGhostInTheTokaidoInn'', one ''Literature/TheGhostInTheTokaidoInn'': One of Thomas and Dorothy Hoobler's Judge Ooka mysteries, has Tominio, a Kabuki actor whose ability to impersonate women is ''eerie'', and also a ChekhovsGun.

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** Batman is shown to be this on several occasions. It's both necessary to maintain his double identity (Batman and Bruce Wayne) and helps him with cases now and then.

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** Batman [[Characters/DCAUBatman Batman]] is shown to be this on several occasions. It's both necessary to maintain his double identity (Batman and Bruce Wayne) and helps him with cases now and then.



* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': Aku, being a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifter]], is good at this as a [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Required Secondary Power]]. He once traveled with Jack for a good period of time without getting found out, while in the form of a humanoid woman.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': Double Trouble is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on. They can even create new characters that no one knows [[spoiler: like Flutterina]], allowing them creative freedom and an even smaller chance of being caught.

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* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': Aku, [[Characters/SamuraiJackAku Aku]], being a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifter]], is good at this as a [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Required Secondary Power]]. He once traveled with Jack for a good period of time without getting found out, while in the form of a humanoid woman.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerDoubleTrouble Double Trouble Trouble]] is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on. They can even create new characters that no one knows [[spoiler: like Flutterina]], allowing them creative freedom and an even smaller chance of being caught.


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* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': [[Characters/MiraculousLadybugLilaRossi Lila Rossi]] is an incredibly charismatic, intelligent, adaptive, and convincing actress who manages to win over almost everybody and keep up her lies over a very long time. [[spoiler: She also acts under false aliases.]]
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* Wesker of ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' was a talented enough actor to fool of group of elite cops for two years into believing he was a good guy, which is very much ''not'' [[TheSociopath his]] [[{{Narcissist}} true]] [[{{Jerkass}} personality]]. He even appeared to be putting on an American accent.

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* ''WesternAnimation/Nimona2023'': The titular character has moments of this, which makes sense due to the fact that she is a shapeshifter. Part of this is shown when she imitates Ballister in the subway to cause a distraction, playing him off as a cartoony villain (as this is how the entire kingdom sees him at the moment). She imitates him so well that the only way Ambrosius figures out it's not him is the fact that he started playing the saxophone, which is a type of music he apparently hates. [[spoiler: Later, she impersonates Ambrosius so the Director will kill him and confess to being the one to frame Ballister and murder the queen. She was so convincing that the Director didn't realize it wasn't Ambrosius until Nimona pulled the sword out of her gut and walked away like it was nothing.]]



* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'':
** Batman is shown to be this on several occasions. It's both necessary to maintain his double identity (Batman and Bruce Wayne) and helps him with cases now and then.
** Before he mutated, Matt Hagan was a famous movie actor who was considered this trope. He continues it even after becoming Clayface, as his shapeshifting ability allows him to look like whoever he wants (which was essential in his debut episode). He even fooled Gotham into thinking [[spoiler: that he died, even telling Batman that "he'd never had a death scene like this"]].



* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': Double Trouble is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on.

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* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': Double Trouble is a shapeshifting spy who prides themselves on not just looking like the people they imitate, but ''becoming'' them. They study their mannerisms and personalities ''very'' closely to get it exactly right, and are always looking for constructive criticism. This is part of what makes them so dangerous; they can imitate almost anyone with no apparent "tell," with most characters being unaware that shapeshifters even ''[[OutsideContextProblem exist]]''. As such, they manage to fly under the radar for quite a while before anyone catches on. They can even create new characters that no one knows [[spoiler: like Flutterina]], allowing them creative freedom and an even smaller chance of being caught.
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* In ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'' Envy can not only shapeshift but also change his voice. Unfortunately, he doesn't always get the mannerisms correct, though.

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* In ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'' ''Manga/FullMetalAlchemist'', Envy can not only shapeshift but also change his voice. Unfortunately, he doesn't always get the mannerisms correct, though.



* Kirk Lazarus in ''Film/TropicThunder'' is famed in-universe for his ability to become other characters. Kirk Lazarus as Lincoln Osiris as a lead-farming Indochinese infiltrator (and Robert Downey, Jr underneath it all).

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* Kirk Lazarus in ''Film/TropicThunder'' is famed in-universe for his ability to become other characters. Kirk Lazarus as Lincoln Osiris as a lead-farming Indochinese infiltrator (and Robert Downey, Jr Creator/RobertDowneyJr underneath it all).



* ''Literature/TheSaint'' -- Simon Templar's favorite role is the UpperClassTwit, but over the course of the books, he plays lawyers, truck drivers, unemployed layabouts, American gangsters and Australian businessmen (just to name a few) with equal skill.

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* ''Literature/TheSaint'' -- Simon Templar's favorite role is the UpperClassTwit, but over the course of the books, he plays lawyers, truck drivers, unemployed layabouts, [[{{fauxreigner}} American gangsters and Australian businessmen businessmen]] (just to name a few) with equal skill.



** Varys is a former mummer and current master of spies. His skill in disguise and acting allow him to play several different parts in the pursuit of his duties.

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** Varys is a former mummer and current [[TheSpymaster master of spies.spies]]. His skill in disguise and acting allow him to play several different parts in the pursuit of his duties.
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* [[spoiler:Kaede]] in ''LightNovel/{{Kampfer}}'' is secretly the BigBad and behind nearly everything in the series--including, quite possibly, [[ObliviousToLove the main character's stupidity]]. Very few people saw this coming, and those that did assumed it would be a case of SplitPersonality.

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* [[spoiler:Kaede]] in ''LightNovel/{{Kampfer}}'' ''Literature/{{Kampfer}}'' is secretly the BigBad and behind nearly everything in the series--including, quite possibly, [[ObliviousToLove the main character's stupidity]]. Very few people saw this coming, and those that did assumed it would be a case of SplitPersonality.
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* ''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'': has a couple of examples

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* ''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'': ''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'' has a couple of examplesexamples:
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* ''VideoGame/Arknights'' has a couple of examples:

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* ''VideoGame/Arknights'' ''VideoGame/{{Arknights}}'': has a couple of examples:examples
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Additional Trope Information

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* ''VideoGame/Arknights'' has a couple of examples:
** First there's [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Deathless Black Snake]], one of the Old Gods and self-described "will of Ursus", otherwise known as [[spoiler:Duke Kashchey,]] whose millennia-long lifespan, extensive understanding of human nature and the fact that their moniker comes from regularly [[GrandTheftMe possessing others]] via their Arts to cheat death have given them an incredible skill at assuming the identities of and manipulating others. By the time the plot starts, [[spoiler:Kashchey's current host is his adoptive daughter Talulah, leader of the [[LaResistance Reunion]] movement, and he's using her to subvert her once-honest organisation for his own ends. Reunion's other leaders note the change in behaviour but don't manage to figure out what's [[DemonicPossession really happening]], with W noting that the 'new' Talulah is capable of taking on a whole new personality at a whim depending of who she's addressing.]]
** Second, there's the [[VoluntaryShapeshifting Damazti]] [[MindHive Cluster]], leader of the Damazti tribe of Sarkaz and serving the Kazdel Military Commission as a spy and intelligence gatherer. One of the oldest lifeforms on Terra, their ability to impersonate others is perfected to the point they assimilate the thoughts and memories of the individual they become, becoming indistinguishable from the real thing, helped along even further by their ability to create semi-autonomous clones of themselves via Arts that can impersonate even more people.
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* ''LightNovel/{{Toradora}}'' has Ami, the BitchInSheepsClothing, who acts nice and innocent, but eventually reveals [[JerkAss her true nature]].

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* ''LightNovel/{{Toradora}}'' ''Literature/{{Toradora}}'' has Ami, the BitchInSheepsClothing, who acts nice and innocent, but eventually reveals [[JerkAss her true nature]].



* In the ''LightNovel/DotHackAIBuster'' novels, [[spoiler: Hokuto's been giving off the idea of being a teenager, when, in actuality, she's a professional translator who's slightly older than the protagonist, Albireo. Heck, she's even referred to in a supplementary description as a skilled actor]].

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* In the ''LightNovel/DotHackAIBuster'' ''Literature/DotHackAIBuster'' novels, [[spoiler: Hokuto's been giving off the idea of being a teenager, when, in actuality, she's a professional translator who's slightly older than the protagonist, Albireo. Heck, she's even referred to in a supplementary description as a skilled actor]].
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rich idiot with no day job was disambiguated by TRS.


** During the course of the show, [[ConsummateLiar he successfully convinces various marks/suspects that he is:]] [[RefugeInAudacity A doctor, a stockbroker, various other shades of corporate slimeball, a political fixer]], [[ShoutOut a pilot]], a forger of fine whisky (not untrue), an agent for a professional figure skater, an agent for a classic jazz singer, a famous, eccentric artist, a butler, a fencer, [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob the heir to several different fortunes]], and an assassin. It also comes out in a conversation with [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist his handler]], [[OddCouple Peter Burke]] that pre-series, he spent time on college campuses, though not as a student, and that, even though he never even graduated high school, [[RenaissanceMan he was able to convince others that he had several different advanced degrees.]]

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** During the course of the show, [[ConsummateLiar he successfully convinces various marks/suspects that he is:]] [[RefugeInAudacity A doctor, a stockbroker, various other shades of corporate slimeball, a political fixer]], [[ShoutOut a pilot]], a forger of fine whisky (not untrue), an agent for a professional figure skater, an agent for a classic jazz singer, a famous, eccentric artist, a butler, a fencer, [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob the heir to several different fortunes]], fortunes, and an assassin. It also comes out in a conversation with [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist his handler]], [[OddCouple Peter Burke]] that pre-series, he spent time on college campuses, though not as a student, and that, even though he never even graduated high school, [[RenaissanceMan he was able to convince others that he had several different advanced degrees.]]
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->''"[[BeYourself Being yourself]] is overrated."''
-->-- '''Sophie''', ''{{Series/Leverage}}''

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* In ''Manga/BloomIntoYou'', Touko Nanami, StudentCouncilPresident of her school, is by far the best actress when the student council puts on a play(a school tradition until seven years before the start of the story), and ends up being scouted by her faculty advisor's theatre troupe after the play ends. There's a reason for this-- Touko's honor student persona is merely a facade, and in reality, she's an emotionally vulnerable person who had to work hard to attain her current success.
* In ''Manga/YuriIsMyJob'', the main characters are servers in a salon in which they roleplay as students of a fancy prep school. Mitsuki Yano is the best at her job despite being rather blunt and socially awkward outside of the role, and it later turns out that her character, a kind and graceful OneeSama, is [[BecomingTheMask the type of person she wants to be]].
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A sub-trope of MasterOfDisguise. An in-universe version of SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct. Can overlap with ThePowerOfActing. Contrast HughMann, for when a shapeshifter ''doesn't'' get this as a secondary power.

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A sub-trope of MasterOfDisguise. An in-universe version of SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct. Can overlap with ThePowerOfActing. Contrast HughMann, PerfectDisguiseTerribleActing, for when a shapeshifter an impersonator ''doesn't'' get this as a secondary power.
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* ''Film/{{Superman}}''. It helps that Creator/ChristopherReeve himself was such an accomplished actor that he could make it plausible that people who knew both Superman and Clark Kent wouldn't realize they were the same person.
* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Sameer's primary role is to fool people using his acting abilites. He would have been a career actor, but racism barred him from it.

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* ''Film/{{Superman}}''.''Film/SupermanTheMovie'' uses this to explain how the Man of Steel can pass for an ordinary human. It helps that Creator/ChristopherReeve himself was such an accomplished actor that he could make it plausible that people who knew both Superman and Clark Kent wouldn't realize they were the same person.
* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Sameer's primary role is to fool people using his acting abilites. He would have been a career actor, [[DeliberateValuesDissonance but the racism of the era barred him from it.it]].



* [[spoiler:Megan Drake]] in ''Dark Jenny''. Up until the climax she's mentioned but apparently never seen, until it's revealed that she's a master of disguise who's shown up as at least ''four'' different characters. With no makeup or other external aids, though it's unclear whether magic is involved.

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* [[spoiler:Megan Drake]] in ''Dark Jenny''. Up until the climax she's mentioned but apparently never seen, until it's revealed that she's a master of disguise who's shown up as at least ''four'' different characters. With no makeup or other external aids, [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane though it's unclear whether magic is involved.involved]].



%%** [[spoiler: Professor Quirrel]].

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%%** ** [[spoiler: Professor Quirrel]].Quirrel]] spent years acting like a cowardly, stammering NervousWreck to ensure people underestimated him [[spoiler:and didn't suspect him of being Voldemort's host body]].
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* Airi in the anime ''Manga/ThoseWhoHuntElves'' is a supreme actress; in addition to being a master of disguise, she can manipulate just about anyone with the right act.

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* Airi Komiyama in the anime ''Manga/ThoseWhoHuntElves'' is a supreme actress; in addition to being a master of disguise, she can manipulate just about anyone with the right act.
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** This is also an InformedAbility of Lucrezia Mongfish, though the acting we see her do is rather unimpressive (granted, she knew nothing about the person she had to imitate).

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** This is also an InformedAbility of Lucrezia Mongfish, though the acting we see her do is rather unimpressive (granted, she knew nothing about the person she had to imitate). [[spoiler:The version of Lucrezia using Anevka's clank body is a much better actress.]]
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** This is the Second Doctor's main [[SuddenlyAlwaysKnewThat skill gimmick]] in ''Series/DoctorWho'' (due to [[TheCastShowoff being played by a character actor with an absolutely incredible range]]). He does the WigDressAccent routine whenever he gets the opportunity to, but costumes are strictly a bonus to his gift for different voices and mannerisms. He fairly frequently convincingly imitates officials and orders people about despite being dressed in a scruffy tuxedo.
** The Master is usually too vain to do more than WigDressAccent, but in "The Time Monster" he lures Benton into a trap by speaking to him over the phone in a perfectly convincing impression of the Brigadier's voice.
** The Fourth Doctor had his moments, though his knack for acting was strictly limited to convincingly faking evil (anything else he was usually awful at). He [[EvilIsHammy hams it up ridiculously]] when pretending to be a moody, power-mad, [[TheQuisling treacherous]] PresidentEvil in "The Invasion of Time" (obviously having a great deal of fun doing so), and when he's stuck ImpersonatingTheEvilTwin in "Meglos" he suddenly becomes heartless and psychotic and everyone else is taken in by it. He's also able to turn off his [[LargeHam overpowering]] [[TheCharmer charisma]] when [[JanitorImpersonationInfiltration acting like a servant]] in "The Deadly Assassin", speaking in a higher-pitched and more neutral voice and using invisible body language to a degree so extreme that the other Time Lords don't even seem quite sure he was there at all, even though he'd been talking to them.

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** This is the Second Doctor's main [[SuddenlyAlwaysKnewThat skill gimmick]] in ''Series/DoctorWho'' (due to [[TheCastShowoff being played by a character actor with an Creator/PatrickTroughton's absolutely incredible range]]).range). He does the WigDressAccent routine whenever he gets the opportunity to, but costumes are strictly a bonus to his gift for different voices and mannerisms. He fairly frequently convincingly imitates officials and orders people about despite being dressed in a scruffy tuxedo.
** The Master is usually too vain to do more than WigDressAccent, but in "The "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E5TheTimeMonster The Time Monster" Monster]]" he lures Benton into a trap by speaking to him over the phone in a perfectly convincing impression of the Brigadier's voice.
** The Fourth Doctor had his moments, though his knack for acting was strictly limited to convincingly faking evil (anything else he was usually awful at). He [[EvilIsHammy hams it up ridiculously]] when pretending to be a moody, power-mad, [[TheQuisling treacherous]] PresidentEvil in "The "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS15E6TheInvasionOfTime The Invasion of Time" Time]]" (obviously having a great deal of fun doing so), and when he's stuck ImpersonatingTheEvilTwin in "Meglos" "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E2Meglos Meglos]]" he suddenly becomes heartless and psychotic and everyone else is taken in by it. He's also able to turn off his [[LargeHam overpowering]] [[TheCharmer charisma]] when [[JanitorImpersonationInfiltration acting like a servant]] in "The "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E3TheDeadlyAssassin The Deadly Assassin", Assassin]]", speaking in a higher-pitched and more neutral voice and using invisible body language to a degree so extreme that the other Time Lords don't even seem quite sure he was there at all, even though he'd been talking to them.
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* ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Prince Hans. When he first meets Anna, he is polite and awkward, and they even sing a duet together. Even when she is no longer around, he is polite and princely. [[spoiler:It's not until he finds out Anna is dying that he drops this act, shocking everyone. In fact, the creators even compared him to a [[AnimalMotifs chameleon]], and he's partially based on the Mirror in the [[Literature/TheSnowQueen original tale]]. [[RewatchBonus If one rewatches the film]], they should note that his eyebrows don't budge an inch when he smiles, which hints that he's faking it. There are only a few times where his expressions are real, like when he's dangling from the stairway after Marshmallow the snow monster [[TakingYouWithMe tries taking him into an abyss]]. He consciously mirrors as a would-be love interest to Anna, a potential MoralityPet to Elsa, a KnightInShiningArmor to the people of Arendelle, and a harsh JerkAss to the Duke of Weselton]].

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* ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'': Prince Hans. When he first meets Anna, he is polite and awkward, and they even sing a duet together. Even when she is no longer around, he is polite and princely. [[spoiler:It's not until he finds out Anna is dying that he drops this act, shocking everyone. In fact, the creators even compared him to a [[AnimalMotifs chameleon]], and he's partially based on the Mirror in the [[Literature/TheSnowQueen original tale]]. [[RewatchBonus If one rewatches the film]], they should note that his eyebrows don't budge an inch when he smiles, which hints that he's faking it. There are only a few times where his expressions are real, like when he's dangling from the stairway after Marshmallow the snow monster [[TakingYouWithMe tries taking him into an abyss]]. He consciously mirrors as a would-be love interest to Anna, a potential MoralityPet to Elsa, a KnightInShiningArmor to the people of Arendelle, and a harsh JerkAss to the Duke of Weselton]].As with real-life sociopaths, his personality is inconsistent with whomever he's interacting]].
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* ''Videogame/MassEffect2'': Morinth, [[spoiler:if chosen over Samara during the latter’s loyalty mission, will perfectly assume her mother’s identity down to her voice and mannerisms, with very few slip ups. Morinth herself stated that acting and posing as her mother is a skill she perfected over the years; indicating that her acting talent helped her orchestrate her escape from Thessia.]]
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* ''Series/TheUntamed'': Jin Guangyao and [[spoiler: Nie Huaisang]] have both spent ''years'' concealing their true natures from the entire world and the people closest to them. [[spoiler: Nie Huaisang]] takes it a step further and manages to fool even Jin Guangyao.
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* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[PhysicalGod God]].]]

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* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[PhysicalGod [[GodWasMyCopilot God]].]]
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* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[AGodAmI God]].]]

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* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'': Joshua is a supreme example, considering [[spoiler:he was acting like a normal human during his week with Neku, when he was actually a [[AGodAmI [[PhysicalGod God]].]]
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