Orphan Annie, is that you? Jessica Chastain unwittingly channels the famous character in a red-and-white dress

By Erin Clements for MailOnline

She may not have realized it, but Jessica Chastain expertly channeled Little Orphan Annie when she visited the Today show this morning.

The 37-year-old wore a red dress with white trim resembling that of the beloved character, her hair matching Annie's fiery tresses as well.

She accessorized the look with white pointy-toed pumps and oversize sunglasses.

Red letter day: Jessica Chastain channeled Little Orphan Annie during a visit to the Today show Wednesday 

Red letter day: Jessica Chastain channeled Little Orphan Annie during a visit to the Today show Wednesday 

Hard knock life: Aileen Quinn, posing with Albert Finney, wore a similar frock in the 1982 film Annie

Hard knock life: Aileen Quinn, posing with Albert Finney, wore a similar frock in the 1982 film Annie

The girlish frock was a departure from the ladylike looks the actress is typically spotted in.

Earlier this week, she donned a retro-glam Fifties-inspired cocktail dress for the Toronto International Film Festival.

Ms Chastain is currently promoting her latest film, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them.

She is not, however, appearing in the updated version of Annie, which stars Quvenzhané Wallis as the titular orphan. 

Original story: The look was first seen in Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie comic strip, which debuted in 1924

Original story: The look was first seen in Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie comic strip, which debuted in 1924

Star power: Ms Chastain wore the dress during an interview with Matt Lauer, in which she discussed her latest film

Star power: Ms Chastain wore the dress during an interview with Matt Lauer, in which she discussed her latest film

The character's signature red dress first appeared in Harold Gray's daily comic strip Little Orphan Annie, which made its debut in 1924, was adapted into a Broadway musical in 1977, and then made into a film in 1982. 

Annie's recognizable look has been parodied throughout the years: Just two weeks ago, Jimmy Kimmel Live! featured a spoof of the musical, with singer Ed Sheeran dressed in drag.

During Ms Chastain's interview with Matt Lauer on Today, she opened up about her recent acclaim as an actress, revealing that she is wary of praise for her work.

'I didn’t have success when I was right out of high school and so I got to see how the industry works, and there is a lot of building you up to knock you down,' she said. 

Dress for success: Ms Chastain wore a retro-glam dress at the Toronto International Film Festival this week

Dress for success: Ms Chastain wore a retro-glam dress at the Toronto International Film Festival this week

The Zero Dark Thirty star also said that the late Robin Williams, a fellow Julliard alum, profoundly changed her life.

'Every two years he would give a scholarship. He gave me a scholarship that made it possible for me to graduate college, I’m the first person in my family to do so. He was a complete stranger and he absolutely changed my life.'

She continued: 'And I sent him letters thanking him, we communicated through other people, and I’d always hoped someday to meet him...It inspires me to try to continue his legacy of generosity.'

 

 

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