1. His shocking physical transformation in The Machinist (2004)

In The Machinist (2004), Christian Bale went to extreme lengths in the commitment to his craft, losing an astonishing 62 pounds to play Trevor Reznik, a man suffering from insomnia. His emaciated frame weighed only 120 pounds, shocking and haunting at the same time. This was one of the most memorable performances of his career, as it showed he was willing to go to any length to portray his character authentically. His transformation is the most extreme change in Hollywood, making him a classic choice for taking challenging, transformative roles.
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Edited by Sangeeta Mathew