When Benjamin Levy Aguilar stepped into the role of Dante Torres on Chicago P.D., he knew he needed more than just the right mindset — he needed the right look. And for him, that started with his hair.
The Guatemalan-born actor revealed that transforming into Torres meant making a bold grooming decision. Aguilar decided to shave his head completely before his first appearance on the show. “It wasn’t just about aesthetics,” he explained in a behind-the-scenes interview. “It was about becoming Torres — a man who’s had to be tough his entire life. I wanted to look like someone who’s been through real struggles.”
The buzz cut quickly became a signature part of the character. It added to Torres’ no-nonsense, street-smart image, and helped Aguilar physically embody the layered emotions of a cop torn between loyalty, morality, and his South Side roots.
Aguilar shared that the haircut helped him “get in the zone” before filming. “The moment I shaved my head, I felt like I was shedding Benjamin and stepping into Torres. It was liberating,” he said.
Fans of Chicago P.D. have since come to associate the clean-cut look with Torres’ intensity — a character whose quiet power often speaks louder than words. Aguilar’s commitment to authenticity, down to his hairstyle, showcases just how far he’s willing to go to make his performance real.
It’s not the first time an actor has made a dramatic change for a role, but Aguilar’s transformation proves that even something as simple as a haircut can have a powerful effect on character building. And judging by how quickly Torres became a fan favorite, it was a move that paid off.
