he wasn't technically a monster in appearance at all in the book. just a nice guy that looks kinda sickly.

and then people had a problem with how Del Toro depicted the character in his adaptation even though his take is actually much closer than other adaptations including closer-to-the-text-than-usual Kenneth Branagh one.

However, my favorite one is played by Clancy Brown because it is so low-key and it relies more heavily on Brown's acting.