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Hollywood isn't always glamorous, and acting demands precision. Sometimes, actors undergo rigorous training or physical transformations for their career goals. Below are some famous individuals who sacrificed to portray their roles perfectly.
1. Matt Damon in The Informant!
The Bourne Identity star had to shed his balanced physique and gain nearly 14kg to play biochemist Mark Whitacre. “Gaining weight is very, very easy. It's very, very fun,” Matt Damon admitted. “I just ate everything I could see.” And what he saw included plenty of meals and snacks from McDonald's. “However, I won't do more,” the actor added.
2. Brie Larson in Room
When Brie Larson took on the role of a woman held captive like a prisoner in a shed, she decided to put herself in the character's shoes. She isolated herself for a month and delved deep to learn more about the trauma of captivity.
Actresses also immerse themselves into their characters, writing three journals when she was 10, 14, and 17. “Most of that time is a stream of consciousness,” Larson shared, “I was truly obsessed and stuck in the mind of a 10-year-old for hours on end.” But all was worth the effort she put in, as Brie Larson's performance earned her a coveted Oscar.
3. Tom Hardy in Bronson
Before filming Bronson, Tom Hardy had to lose 12kg for a previous role. But when agreeing to become the lead actor for the biopic about “Britain's most violent prisoner,” Hardy had to regain all the weight he had lost and then some.
He explained: “I had to quickly pack on a lot of weight onto my forearms, chest, and neck.” So, he built muscle by doing weightlifting exercises, conditioning resistance training, and indulging in a bit of ice cream and soda for good measure.
4. Mariah Carey in Precious
The famous diva, known for always exuding glamour and grandeur. But the image she maintained for years was stripped to the minimum when playing Mrs. Weiss. To convince audiences she was a sympathetic woman, helping a troubled teenager in the 80s, the production team added prosthetics, facial hair, gray makeup, and even a fake bust for her.
5. Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam
The Rock's body is always ripped, but this former wrestler had to put in even more effort to get his superhero physique. In an Instagram post, he shared that he stripped away all the excess bulk and got down to real training.
He had a team of chefs and a conditioning coach who calculated the exact amount of nutrients needed for his desired physique. Johnson also said that embodying Black Adam was “one of the most exhausting, stressful, and demanding commitments in my entire career.”
6. Lupita Nyong’o in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Her Oscar-winning role as Nakia in the Marvel film involved some scenes shot in an environment resembling Atlantis. And Lupita Nyong’o showed her followers the meticulous preparation for this role by sharing some behind-the-scenes clips. Her training regimen included completing a series of underwater exercises, such as push-ups and walking underwater. And as if that wasn't challenging enough, she had to carry weights with her.
7. Chris Hemsworth in Limitless
The actor's latest project isn't just a movie but a documentary about the challenges of the human mind and body to explore life and longevity. The actor admits that the preparations for his previous film, such as getting back in shape and having abs, felt trivial compared to this time.
Hemsworth fasted for 4 days to test his limits, immersed himself in icy water, hung suspended over a ravine, and self-'aged.' He wore a suit designed by MIT, limiting his ability to hear, see, and move, thereby helping him imagine how he would feel at age 80.
8. Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn
To embody an icon like Marilyn Monroe, Williams voraciously read autobiographies, letters, and listened to interviews. But to mimic Monroe's signature wiggle, Williams decided to tie a belt around her knees while practicing the famous wiggle.
9. Viola Davis in The Woman King
The How to Get Away With Murder actress had to follow a strict diet and undergo rigorous physical training to become the powerful General Nanisca. With a high risk of developing diabetes, she ate small meals every 3 hours for better energy reserves. She also trained for at least 5 hours every day for 3 months. Her regimen included running, martial arts, and strength training.
10. Mark Wahlberg in Father Stu
The actor known for his early morning workout habit before 4 am every day. But followers saw a completely different Wahlberg as the actor transformed from a muscular man to a “dad bod.” As he explained, “I gained nearly 14kg and went from a fit guy to a guy in a wheelchair, suffering from a rare degenerative disease.”
The actor said he consumed 11,000 calories a day, 4-5 times the recommended amount for an average person. He ate even when full, with his daily menu consisting of dozens of eggs and bacon, baked potatoes, steak, 2 bowls of white rice, and a glass of olive oil. Wahlberg admitted that this unhealthy eating habit also affected his health.
