20 times actors took method acting to extreme levels

Modified Nov 23, 2024 06:00 ET

The Dark Knight (2008) - Source: Warner Bros. Pictures ; The Revenant (2015) - Source: 20th Century Fox ; The Pianist (2002) - Source: Focus Features (USA), StudioCanal (International) ; House of Gucci (2021) - Source: United Artists Releasing (USA), Universal Pictures

1) Heath Ledger's method acting extremes in The Dark Knight

Italy - Venice - Venice Film Festival - Heath Ledger - Source: Getty

Heath Ledger embodied the role of Joker in The Dark Knight in a method acting performance that will be remembered for generations to come. He locked himself in a hotel room in London for weeks and kept a journal noting down his dark and twisted thoughts. To explore the madness and psychotic nature of Joker, he actively studied psychopaths. Portraying this dark character took a great toll on Heath Ledger's health and he reportedly started facing sleeping problems in real life. Post his demise, police stated that he died from an accidental overdose of painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills.

Comment

Edited by Mudeet Arora