Summary
Netflix’s new true-crime documentary,How To Rob A Bank, chronicles the life of a bank robber from Seattle called Scott Scurlock, nicknamed “Hollywood” by the FBI. TheNetflix true-crime documentaryuses interviews with the robbers, law enforcement, and Scurlock’s family and friendsto highlight how he was able to plan and execute 19 bank heists.How To Rob A Bankfeatures shocking revealsabout how Scurlock transformed from a brilliant biochemistry student to one of the most notorious bank robbers in Seattle.
In the 1990s,Scurlock became famous for his elaborate makeup and costumes that helped him evade the policefor over four years. Before Scurlock and his accomplices were apprehended by law enforcement, it was reported that they robbed over 17 banks and committed 19 bank heists (viaThe Seattle Times). The meticulous planning and execution of the bank heists earned Scurlock the reputation of being one of the most notorious robbers in Seattle’s 1990s bank heists.
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Scott Scurlock Was Nicknamed “Hollywood” By The FBI For His Makeup & Disguises During Bank Robberies
Scott Scurlock Evaded Arrest By Wearing Costumes And Makeup
Central to Scurlock’s ability to pull off so many bank heists were his incredibly realistic disguises,which led the FBI to give him the nickname “Hollywood.”Following a failed drug business, Scurlock turned to blockbuster Hollywood movies to help him develop an idea for his next financial venture. Patrick Swayze’s character, Bhodi fromPoint Break, served as the inspiration for Scurlock’s use of elaborate disguises to conceal his identity during his bank heists (viaForbes).
Ann Rule wrote a book titledThe End Of The Dreamin 1999 that chronicled Scott Scurlock’s life.
From 1992 to 1996,Scurlock used movie-grade prosthetics to leave little evidence of his true identity. Since the costumes, facial prosthetics, and makeup he wore were so well done, Scurlock would rob a bank and then return to the same bank wearing a different disguise, and no one would notice that he had already been there. The FBI eventually made the connection between the bank heists and thus concluded that it was the same person committing the robberies.
What Disguises Scott Scurlock Would Wear For His Seattle Bank Robberies
Steve Myers Designed Scurlock’s Disguises
The reason behind Scurlock’sincredible transformation was his accomplice, Steve Myers. Steve Myers, an artist, was not only Scurlock’s lookout and right-hand man, but also made the facial prosthetics, including the nose, chin, and cheeks Scurlock wore during the robberies. In his first robbery, Scurlock wore a Ronald Reagan mask, similar to the one Bodhi wore inPoint Breakbefore moving on to facial prosthetics (viaNewsweek).
During his 19 bank heists, Scurlock was seen in various suits and prosthetics.He also wore DARE hats, which at the time were associated with police officers. The DARE hats led the FBI to suspect at one point that Scurlock might be a cop, but the evidence later refuted that theory. As made clear byHow To Rob a Bank, Scurlock was extremely creative in his disguises, which played a big role in how he eluded authorities for so long.
