John C. Reilly looks unrecognizable as Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss as filming continues on HBO’s Showtime
John C. Reilly looks unrecognizable as he starts filming on HBO’s new drama series Showtime, which explores the dominant Los Angeles Lakers teams of the 1980s.
Reilly, 54, portrays Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss in the new TV pilot, with Deadline reporting in September that he replaced Michael Shannon, who departed due to creative differences.
The actor was seen driving a pristine Rolls Royce Corniche convertible as filming took place on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.
Unrecognizable: John C. Reilly looks unrecognizable as he starts filming on HBO’s new drama series Showtime, which explores the dominant Los Angeles Lakers teams of the 1980s
Reilly’s normally-curly locks were replaced with straight hair with a part down the side for his portrayal of Buss.
He also wore a mustache and sunglasses along with an open-necked white dress shirt over a tan plaid suit coat.
Reilly was not seen with any of his co-stars on the HBO pilot, which is based on Jeff Pearlman’s 2014 book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.
John as Jerry: Reilly’s normally-curly locks were replaced with straight hair with a part down the side for his portrayal of Buss
The pilot was written by Max Borenstein (Godzilla), based on Pearlman’s book, which follows the personal and professional lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most dominant sports dynasties in history, with Adam McKay directing.
Buss purchased the Lakers, along with the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and The Forum, plus a large ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 for a then-record $67.5 million.
Shortly after purchasing the team, the Lakers drafted Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, which laid the foundation for the Showtime dynasty.
Lakers owner: Buss purchased the Lakers, along with the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and The Forum, plus a large ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 for a then-record $67.5 million
The Lakers won the NBA title in Johnson’s rookie year of 1980, and, after they hired Pat Riley, who lead the Showtime Lakers to championships in 1982, 1985 and back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988.
Also starring in HBO’s Showtime pilot is Jason C. Clarke as Jerry West, a former Lakers player who as named general manager before the 1982 season.
Quincy Isaiah is playing Laker legend Magic Johnson, with Solomon Hughes portraying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Spencer Garrett as legendary announcer Chick Hearn.
Showtime era: The Lakers won the NBA title in Johnson’s rookie year of 1980, and, after they hired Pat Riley, who lead the Showtime Lakers to championships in 1982, 1985 and back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988
Reilly is coming off two movies in 2018, the animated sequel Wreck-It Ralph entitled Ralph Breaks the Internet and Holmes & Watson with Will Ferrell.
He also stars in the upcoming series Moonbase 8, about a group of astronauts picked to go to the moon, alongside Fred Armisen and Tim Heidecker.
He also recently starred in Stan & Ollie and starred in and produced The Sisters Brothers.
Recent movies: Reilly is coming off two movies in 2018, the animated sequel Wreck-It Ralph entitled Ralph Breaks the Internet and Holmes & Watson with Will Ferrell