7 Actors That Took Method Acting To The Extreme

When learning your lines is just not enough…

1. Christian Bale - THE MACHINIST

Christian Bale lost around 60 pounds for his role in the psychological thriller THE MACHINIST. He plays Trevor Reznik, a factory worker that develops a serious case of insomnia and begins to question his sanity. Bale went on an extreme starvation diet, eating only a can of tuna and one apple a day. His weight loss is thought to be a record for any actor in a film.

2. Jared Leto – DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Anne Marie Fox

Jared Leto went to great lengths to portray Transgender Aids activist Rayon in DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. Not only did Leto lose close to 40 pounds, but he also tested his character out before filming. Leto says that he went to Whole Foods Market in character as Rayon: “shaved, waxed, wigged-up, the whole bit.”

3. Ben Foster – THE PROGRAM

Ben Foster risked his health in order to portray Lance Armstrong in THE PROGRAM. The film depicts the true story of the meteoric rise and fall of one of the most celebrated and controversial men in recent history; Lance Armstrong, the world-renowned Tour de France champion. Foster took performance-enhancing drugs and trained with professional cyclists for the role. THE PROGRAM will be released in theaters, VOD and iTunes on March 18th.

4. The Cast of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

No wonder ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The entire cast, including Jack Nicholson, filmed the movie in an actual psychiatric ward and took part in group therapy sessions. In fact several of the extras were patients.

5. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña – END OF WATCH

Scott Garfield

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña formed a close bond preparing for the film, END OF WATCH. They spent five months preparing for the film by going on countless ride-alongs with LAPD, tactical training, live ammunition training as well as fight training. Gyllenhaal says he even witnessed a murder during one of the ride-alongs.

6. Robert De Niro – TAXI DRIVER

In order to prepare for his role as a taxi cab driver, Robert De Niro obtained a taxi cab driver’s license in New York City. He reportedly worked 12-hour days as a driver to practice for the film. The training definitely paid off as De Niro earned an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

7. Adrien Brody – THE PIANIST

The Pianist follows the life of a Polish Jewish musician struggling to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II. Adrien Brody plays the lead character, Wladyslaw Szpilman. Brody really took the character to heart and went into isolation while preparing for the role. He said that he gave up his apartment, sold his car and turned off his cell phone. At the same time, he was starving himself to lose weight for the role and taking intense piano lessons. His efforts garnered him an Oscar win.