Glen Powell is playing a former star quarterback who goes undercover to walk onto the struggling South Georgia Catfish team in the new Hulu series Chad Powers, and viewers are already likening his prosthetic-heavy performance to Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire.
At a Glance
- Powell, 37, wears full prosthetics to pose as walk-on quarterback Chad Powers
- The disguise has sparked instant comparisons to Williams’ 1993 cross-dressing comedy
- Powell calls Williams “one of the greats” and praises the blend of humor and heart
- The fictional character originated with Eli Manning’s 2022 ESPN prank at Penn State
Powell’s character, Russ Holliday, vanished from the spotlight eight years ago after a costly mistake in the national championship. Now he resurfaces as “Chad Powers,” a mysterious walk-on trying out for the low-tier South Georgia Catfish. The transformation requires extensive prosthetics and a new persona, echoing the premise of Mrs. Doubtfire, where Williams’ divorced dad posed as a Scottish nanny to stay close to his kids.
Speaking on the red carpet ahead of the January 11, 2026 Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, Powell welcomed the comparison.
“Robin Williams was one of the greats,” he told E!. “He really made movies that were fun in terms of the joy they gave people, but they also had a lot of heart. He figured out that duality.”
Williams, who died by suicide at 63 on August 11, 2014, had been battling undiagnosed Lewy Body Dementia.
From ESPN Prank to Scripted Series
Before Powell stepped into the role, former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning created the original Chad Powers. In a 2022 episode of the ESPN docuseries Eli’s Places, Manning underwent professional hair and makeup to go incognito as Powers at Penn State’s walk-on tryouts. The segment went viral.
Powell told Good Morning America the Hulu team used Manning’s concept as a springboard.
“We took that concept and that inspiration and have doubled down on the prosthetics, updated it, improved it, new model, new Chad, and we’re making a hell of a show here,” he said.
Inside the Prosthetics
The series leans heavily on practical effects to sell the illusion. Makeup teams start before dawn to apply silicon pieces that alter Powell’s jawline, nose, and brow. A custom wig and colored contact lenses complete the look, allowing the 6-foot actor to blend in with actual college athletes.
Viewers first see the full disguise when Holliday steps onto the Catfish practice field, introducing himself with a deeper voice and exaggerated swagger. The reveal becomes a running gag: teammates accept the newcomer at face value while the audience remains in on the joke.
Why the Comparison Matters
The Mrs. Doubtfire parallel highlights a rare blend of physical comedy and emotional stakes. Both stories hinge on identity, loss, and redemption-Williams’ character fights to stay present in his children’s lives; Holliday fights to reclaim his self-respect after public humiliation.
Powell emphasized that balance while praising Williams’ legacy.
“He figured out that duality,” Powell repeated, noting that Chad Powers aims for the same mix of laughs and pathos.
Key Takeaways
- Powell’s prosthetic-heavy role revives memories of Williams’ iconic cross-dressing performance
- The series expands a viral ESPN prank into a full underdog sports comedy
- Early buzz positions Chad Powers as a potential streaming breakout when it premieres later this year
