Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly changed his appearance Monday to portray an Amish judge in the Dearborn High School student film “Dare to be Amish.” The mayor shaved his mustache. Photo courtesy City of Dearborn

DEARBORN — Tom Hanks famously lost 50 pounds for his role in “Cast Away,” Tommy Lee Jones shaved his head to play Ty Cobb in “Cobb” and on Monday, Mayor Jack O’Reilly also altered his appearance for a movie role.
Each year, Dearborn High School students produce a comedy that gets screened at local movie theaters.

This year O’Reilly was asked to join other community members to fill out the students’ cast in “Dare to be Amish.” He plays Judge Yoder, the leader of an Amish community.

To be true to the Amish look, O’Reilly sacrificed his moustache, leaving his trademark beard.

City spokespeople said the mayor would attend a full schedule of meetings and public appearances this week, knowing “he will be repeatedly asked about his new, but decidedly not modern, look.”

“Moustaches grow back,” O’Reilly said.

Written and produced by Dearborn High students, “Dare to be Amish” is a comedy about an Amish teen sent away to live with a cousin in the city.

The film is set to premier at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn on May 7.

Visit www.daretobeamish.com for more information.