A resurfaced school photo shared by St Joseph’s Nudgee College highlights how former Brisbane student Jacob Elordi has gone from his days in a striped blue-and-white blazer to widespread praise for his role in Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein film. The image, posted by the school’s Old Boys’ Association, marks how far the actor has come since his Nudgee years.
A Local School Proud of Its Former Student
The tribute was shared as praise grew for Elordi’s physical and emotional transformation into the Creature, which has been described as one of the most striking reinventions of the character in years. The Old Boys’ Association told its community that Elordi’s work on the film has made the school proud of all he has achieved. The message was shared as a Facebook post to thousands of former students through the school’s online community network.
Behind the scenes, his transformation relied on extensive prosthetic work. Prosthetics artist Mike Hill has explained that he applied Elordi’s full-body prosthetics around 20 times, using 42 separate pieces, fake dentures and a re-sculpted brow over hours of makeup work. He said only the tip of the nose, upper lip and chin belonged to Elordi, while the rest was constructed from rubber prosthetics. Hill added that Elordi never complained during the long sessions and used the time to focus and settle into the character.
Director Guillermo del Toro has also spoken highly of Elordi, reportedly saying the actor only ever needs two takes, suggesting he rarely requires extra attempts to complete a scene. His portrayal of the Creature has been hailed internationally as one of the boldest reinventions of the character in decades.
From Brisbane Theatre Kid to Hollywood Lead
Elordi grew up in Brisbane and has described himself as a theatre kid before moving to Hollywood as a teenager to pursue acting. He first had a taste of the spotlight when he appeared as an extra in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, taking an uncredited role as a Saint Martin’s Marine.
His career shifted rapidly in the years that followed, beginning with a breakout performance in The Kissing Booth. He later took on a darker turn as a toxic high-school love interest in HBO’s Euphoria. He also stepped into the shoes of Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s biographical drama Priscilla. More recently, his turn as Felix Catton in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn earned him a BAFTA Rising Star nomination.
A Role That Reshaped His Creative Path
Elordi has said the role of the Creature was a vessel he could put every part of himself into, allowing him to bring more of his own experience to the screen than ever before. He reflected on how the character drew from his personal history, and he suggested the process helped him reconnect with the core reasons he pursued acting. He described the project as a creative reset that reignited his passion for movies.
He is also set to appear in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights alongside fellow Australian actor Margot Robbie. This development has already attracted attention due to the high-profile pairing.
The resurfaced school photo shows a young Nudgee student, smiling in a blue-and-white blazer, who has since gone on to reach audiences around the world. As his career continues to expand, the message from St Joseph’s Nudgee College highlights the pride within the school community when one of its own succeeds on an international stage.
Published 17-Nov-2025
