– Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker was so immersive that it reportedly affected his sleep and mental health. He died shortly after filming, and many believe the role contributed to his emotional decline.
– Jim Carrey – Man on the Moon
Playing Andy Kaufman led Carrey into a deep identity crisis. He stayed in character off-camera and later said he “lost himself” during filming.
@celebrity_thing Actors who were never the same after their role. #fypシ゚ #viraltiktok #celebrity #actors #blooper #unscripted #goviral #fyp
– Janet Leigh – Psycho
Leigh developed a lifelong fear of showers after filming the iconic murder scene. She reportedly avoided them for the rest of her life.
– Colin Firth – The King’s Speech
Firth picked up a stutter while portraying King George VI and struggled to shake it off after filming ended.
– Adrien Brody – The Pianist
Brody gave up his apartment, sold his car, and isolated himself to prepare for the role. He said it took months to emotionally recover after filming.
– Dakota Johnson – Fifty Shades of Grey
Johnson admitted the role left her feeling exposed and emotionally drained, and she struggled with the public perception that followed.
– Charlize Theron – Monster
Theron gained weight and underwent a dramatic transformation to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos. She said the role haunted her for years.
– Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant
DiCaprio endured freezing temperatures, raw bison liver, and physical exhaustion. He called it one of the most grueling experiences of his career.
– Shelley Duvall – The Shining
Director Stanley Kubrick pushed Duvall to emotional extremes, reportedly causing her severe stress and long-term trauma.
– Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Portman lost weight, trained intensely, and said the psychological toll of the role lingered long after filming.
These performances were unforgettable — but they came at a cost. Some actors found healing, while others never fully recovered.
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