Daniel DayLewis
In 2002, during the filming of the movie "Gangs of New York" directed by Martin Scorsese, Daniel Day-Lewis, who played the role of the character Bill "The Butcher", suffered severe pneumonia as a result of his refusal to use the protectors against the cold that the rest of the cast used. Known for his dedication and acting method, he wanted to stay in character and supposedly did not use any type of protection against the inclement New York cold.
However, his decision had serious consequences and he quickly fell ill. Despite this, he decided to try to overcome the disease without resorting to medication, as The Butcher would have done. As the days passed, his state of health worsened.
The doctors who were treating him urged him to receive adequate medical treatment to avoid a major complication that could endanger his life. Day-Lewis finally agreed and received the necessary treatment to recover from pneumonia. This incident demonstrated the actor's dedication to his art and his ability to immerse himself deeply in his characters.
Ashton Kutcher and pancreatitis.
In his effort to fully immerse himself in the role of Steve Jobs, famed actor Ashton Kutcher followed the Apple founder's strict diet. The diet was based on the eating style that Jobs adopted in his daily life, focused on a vegetarian and vegan diet. Jobs also practiced intermittent fasting and occasionally went on fruit diets.
Kutcher took his role in "Jobs" very seriously and was determined to deliver a compelling portrayal of the iconic American businessman. He expressed his desire to “do it right” and mentioned that he “didn't want to fail”. He, therefore, immersed himself in character, even at the cost of his own health.
Pancreatitis is a life-threatening disease. The fact that Kutcher developed it due to his strict and limited diet is an example of how the method and physical preparation for a role can be dangerous and lead to serious consequences. While Kutcher's dedication to his role is admirable, what happened is an important reminder that health should always come first.
The method, Jared Leto, and disturbing gifts.
During his portrayal of the Joker in the movie "Suicide Squad," Jared Leto took an immersive approach to the role of him. In addition to his acting, the actor sent strange and disturbing gifts to his co-stars. Including a dead pig and a live rat Margot Robbie, who played Harley Quinn in the movie.
Leto claimed that these actions were an attempt to get into character and create an atmosphere of "madness" on the film set. However, this was not the first incident in which Jared Leto took his acting to the extreme. During his role as Mark David Chapman, John Lennon's killer, in the movie "Chapter 27," Leto gained more than 70 pounds to play the character. This drastic change in his weight caused him health problems, including heart problems and diabetes.
Robert Pattinson, the goose master.
Robert Pattinson has starred in several extreme scenes in his acting career. During the filming of the movie "The Lighthouse", Pattinson vomited, licked mud, urinated, and got drunk to play his role more realistically. In one scene, he even had to put rocks in his shoes to feel the pain his character experienced.
In another role, Pattinson played Salvador Dali in the movie "Little Ashes." In one particularly controversial scene, the actor indulged himself on camera. Although he only had to fake the act, some viewers found the scene disturbing.
Despite engaging in these extreme scenes, Pattinson has publicly criticized method actors who dive deep into their characters to find the emotional truth of the scene. According to the actor, this practice can lead to self-destructive behavior and social isolation. He has said that he prefers to keep a certain distance between himself and the characters he plays.
