Sacha Baron Cohen _ in character as Bruno _ strips down for the cover of GQ magazine

Baron Cohen _ as Bruno _ poses nude on cover of GQ

NEW YORK — Sacha Baron Cohen strips down as his alter ego — Austrian fashionista Bruno — for the July cover of GQ magazine.

According to the magazine, Bruno is the first subject to appear fully naked on the cover. Jennifer Aniston, wearing a necktie and nothing else for the January issue, came close.

Bruno sports nothing but a tanned glow and a shaggy head of highlighted hair.

The actor-comedian’s 2006 movie, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” was a surprise box-office hit. His new film, “Bruno,” is scheduled for release July 10.

Baron Cohen staged an elaborate prank at the recent MTV Movie Awards. In character as Bruno, he descended from the ceiling on a wire in a fake mishap that ended with his bare hindquarters in rapper Eminem’s face.

Eminem stormed off in a huff, but later said he was in on the joke.

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