19 roles that took a toll on the actors who played them

Modified Jan 28, 2025 09:09 ET

Gangs of New York, Image Source - Miramax Films

12) Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York

When Daniel Day-Lewis performs a role, he truly commits to it. While acting in the Martin Scorsese film – Gangs of New York, he portrayed the role of Bill Cutting, leader of a Nativist American group. While acting for the movie, he tried to use the method acting style and immersed himself in the 19th century, refusing to wear any modern form of clothing such as a coat in peak winters. This led to him getting severely ill and being diagnosed with pneumonia. Even after this, he refused to eat modern medicines and preferred the treatments of the year 1860s.