10 Unconventional Ways Famous Actors Got into Character

For many actors, getting into character means more than just memorizing lines; it requires immersing themselves completely in the role. Some actors take this process to remarkable extremes, adopting unconventional and sometimes controversial methods to embody their characters. Whether through physical transformation, intense psychological preparation, or bizarre routines, these actors go above and beyond to bring authenticity to their performances. Here are ten actors who took unique and often extreme approaches to prepare for their roles.

Related: 10 Actors Who Portrayed Real-Life Criminals to Perfection

10 Daniel Day-Lewis Refuses to Break Character on Set

Renowned for his dedication, Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the most intense method actors of his generation. Known for fully immersing himself in his characters, Day-Lewis famously refuses to break character during filming, even when the cameras aren’t rolling. For his Oscar-winning role in My Left Foot (1989), where he portrayed Christy Brown, a man with cerebral palsy, Day-Lewis stayed in character throughout filming. He insisted on using a wheelchair, had the crew feed him, and even let them carry him to avoid walking. His insistence on complete immersion allowed him to capture Brown’s struggle authentically, impressing audiences with his performance.

For Lincoln (2012), Day-Lewis took a similar approach, studying everything from Lincoln’s letters to his speeches and adopting the president’s voice on and off camera. He even requested that everyone, from cast and crew to extras, address him as “Mr. President.” His meticulous preparation included reading about Lincoln’s relationships and health, allowing him to embody the physical and mental toll of the Civil War on the leader’s life. Day-Lewis’s extreme dedication has earned him three Academy Awards and solidified his reputation as one of the most committed actors in the industry.^[1]

9 Heath Ledger Lived in Isolation for the Joker

Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) is widely regarded as one of the most iconic performances of all time. To prepare for the role, Ledger locked himself in a hotel room for six weeks, isolating himself from the outside world to develop the character’s mindset. During this time, he kept a journal filled with disturbing images and phrases that reflected the Joker’s chaotic nature, helping him tap into the character’s psyche. The entries included lines like “I am an agent of chaos” and drawings of twisted smiles, which shaped his performance’s intensity and unpredictability.

Ledger’s preparation was intense and reportedly took a toll on his mental health. His efforts to embody the Joker extended beyond his hotel stay—on set, he continued experimenting with the character’s voice and mannerisms, even developing the iconic, sinister laugh that would define his portrayal. While some close to him worried about the psychological impact of such a dark role, Ledger’s commitment to his craft was evident, and his hauntingly memorable Joker earned him a posthumous Academy Award.^[2]

8 Christian Bale’s Extreme Physical Transformations

Christian Bale is known for undergoing drastic physical changes to embody his characters, often taking his transformations to an extreme level. For The Machinist (2004), Bale famously lost over 60 pounds (27.2 kg), surviving on a diet of water, coffee, and an apple or can of tuna each day. His gaunt, skeletal appearance shocked audiences and set a new bar for physical transformation, but Bale believed it was necessary to authentically portray the insomniac, mentally unwell protagonist. He reportedly dropped to just 120 pounds (54.4 kg), pushing his body to the brink of its limits.

After The Machinist, Bale quickly gained 100 pounds (45.4 kg) to play Batman in Batman Begins, bulking up to portray the superhero’s imposing physique. His willingness to undergo extreme body changes didn’t end there—he gained weight for American Hustle and then slimmed down again for The Fighter, proving his commitment to each role. Though such drastic weight changes come with health risks, Bale’s dedication to embodying his characters through physical transformation has earned him immense respect in Hollywood, even as it sparks concern from health experts.^[3]

7 Meryl Streep Learns Languages and Accents from Scratch

Meryl Streep is widely regarded as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, renowned for her ability to adapt to different accents and languages to bring authenticity to her roles. For her Oscar-winning performance in Sophie’s Choice (1982), Streep learned Polish and German, spending weeks with a coach to perfect her pronunciation. She even adopted a Polish accent in English, adding depth to her character’s background as a Holocaust survivor. The dedication to linguistic detail made her portrayal all the more convincing, deeply resonating with audiences and critics alike.

Streep has continued this rigorous approach in other films. For Out of Africa (1985), she studied Danish accents, and in The Iron Lady (2011), she spent countless hours perfecting Margaret Thatcher’s distinct tone and cadence. Each linguistic transformation reflects her dedication to fully immersing herself in her characters’ worlds, which has helped her create complex, layered performances. Streep’s meticulous attention to voice and accent is an example of her exceptional talent and adaptability as an actress, underscoring her status as one of Hollywood’s finest.^[4]

6 Jared Leto’s Method Acting for the Joker

Jared Leto’s approach to playing the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016) involved some of the most extreme and controversial method acting techniques. Known for diving headfirst into his characters, Leto sent bizarre and disturbing gifts to his co-stars to capture the Joker’s unpredictable personality. These “gifts” included a live rat for Margot Robbie, bullets for Will Smith, and even a dead pig for the entire cast. His goal was to make his presence on set feel as unsettling as the Joker himself, fostering an atmosphere of chaos.

But Leto’s method acting extended beyond gifts. He stayed in character off-camera, using the Joker’s voice and laugh and rarely breaking character, even during breaks. Some cast members were reportedly uncomfortable with his methods, and his performance sparked debate over the lengths actors should go to embody a role. Leto’s approach raised questions about the ethical boundaries of method acting, even though he argued it helped him understand the Joker’s chaotic mindset.^[5]

5 Shia LaBeouf Pulled Out His Own Tooth and Lived on the Streets

Shia LaBeouf’s commitment to method acting has taken him to extreme lengths, with his approach to character preparation bordering on dangerous. For Fury(2014), a World War II film, LaBeouf reportedly refused to shower for weeks, aiming to achieve a realistic look and feel of a soldier enduring wartime conditions. To further embody the character’s experience, he had his dentist pull out one of his teeth, creating a more authentic appearance of someone hardened by combat.

LaBeouf’s dedication didn’t stop with Fury. For The Tax Collector (2020), he reportedly spent time living on the streets and even joined members of street gangs to better understand his character’s environment. LaBeouf’s extreme methods have attracted both admiration and criticism, with some applauding his commitment to realism while others question whether such lengths are necessary. His approach reflects his unique perspective on acting, blurring the lines between fiction and reality to fully inhabit each role.^[6]

4 Natalie Portman’s Ballet Training for Black Swan

To prepare for her role in Black Swan, Natalie Portman underwent an intense year-long training regimen to portray a professional ballerina convincingly. She practiced ballet for five to eight hours a day, training with experienced dancers to understand the physical and mental discipline of the profession. Portman’s commitment to mastering the craft resulted in multiple injuries, including a dislocated rib, but she refused to let the pain interfere with her performance.

Portman’s preparation also included cross-training in swimming and weightlifting to build the stamina and strength required to perform on pointe. Her physical and emotional dedication to the role earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actress. Audiences and critics praised her transformation, which highlighted the grueling demands of ballet. Portman’s experience in Black Swan serves as a testament to the sacrifices actors make to bring their characters to life authentically.^[7]

3 Leonardo DiCaprio’s Survival Skills in The Revenant

Leonardo DiCaprio went to great lengths to bring authenticity to his role as frontiersman Hugh Glass in The Revenant (2015). To portray the character’s brutal survival journey, DiCaprio subjected himself to extreme conditions, sleeping inside animal carcasses and enduring frigid temperatures while filming in remote Canadian locations. He even ate raw bison liver for one scene, despite being a longtime vegetarian, which required overcoming his natural aversion to such an intense experience.

DiCaprio also learned basic survival skills, such as fire-starting, to make his portrayal more realistic. The challenging conditions pushed him physically and mentally, and his immersion in the harsh landscape allowed him to capture Glass’s struggle against the elements. DiCaprio’s performance in The Revenant earned him his first Academy Award, with audiences and critics alike recognizing the raw intensity he brought to the role. His willingness to endure these extreme conditions exemplifies the lengths some actors go to for authenticity.^[8]

2 Jim Carrey’s Intense Transformation for Man on the Moon

To portray comedian Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon (1999), Jim Carrey adopted an intense method acting approach, embodying Kaufman’s unpredictable personality both on and off set. Carrey stayed in character throughout production, channeling Kaufman’s eccentricity in ways that baffled the cast and crew. His immersion extended to portraying Kaufman’s abrasive alter ego, Tony Clifton, who would randomly appear and cause chaos on set, creating a surreal atmosphere that blurred the line between actor and character.

Carrey’s commitment to the role was so all-encompassing that a documentary, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017), was later released to show the behind-the-scenes of his extreme preparation. Carrey’s dedication was both a tribute to Kaufman’s unconventional life and a reflection of his own willingness to push the boundaries of acting. His immersive approach to Man on the Moon provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of method acting.^[9]

1 Lady Gaga Immerses Herself in Italian Culture for House of Gucci

For her role as Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci (2021), Lady Gaga took method acting to a cultural level, immersing herself in Italian language, customs, and fashion. She maintained an Italian accent for nine months, even when she wasn’t on set, to master Reggiani’s cadence and mannerisms. Gaga also delved into Italian pop culture, listening to Italian music, researching Reggiani’s real-life story, and studying her family background, hoping to capture the character’s motivations authentically.

Gaga’s dedication extended to wearing vintage Italian fashion and observing social norms from Reggiani’s era. The thorough preparation allowed her to fully embrace Reggiani’s persona, and her nuanced performance as a ruthless, ambitious woman received widespread acclaim. Lady Gaga’s cultural immersion and dedication to capturing Reggiani’s complexity is an example of how method acting can involve not only psychological preparation but also a profound understanding of a character’s cultural environment.^[10]