Most of us are probably familiar with learning something new before starting a new job; this can often range from learning a new computer program to making sure a work task is completed properly and on time, but celebrities sometimes, in true celebrity spirit, have gone above and beyond for a role. Take a look at this list of the craziest things actors have done to prepare for a role, and maybe remember this list the next time you really don’t want to wake up for that 8 AM orientation.
Shia Labeouf
Of course, Labeouf made the list because of course this often underrated actor isn’t afraid to go to otherwise extreme lengths to prepare for a role; in fact, LaBeouf has done a number of outlandish things to prepare for a role, but today we’re focusing on his 2014 role as a WWII soldier in the film ‘Fury’ where LaBeouf pulled his own tooth out and chose not to shower for weeks on end. So yeah, we would rather attend that early morning orientation that includes free coffee.
Natalie Portman
While no stranger to acting, actress Natalie Portman did put her body through a lot while filming Black Swan. Not only did she train for hours on end, eight to be exact, but Portman, already small in stature, dropped twenty pounds for her role and dislocated a rib. Once again, we would rather simply attend a training session.
Jamie Foxx
For Foxx’s iconic role as Ray Charles in Ray, he actually glued his eyes shut for filming. Having his eyes glued shut for hours on end, probably made that whopping thirty pounds he had to lose for the role seem like nothin’.
Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio finally scored an Oscar for the film The Revenant, but at what cost? Jumping in and out of frozen rivers, actually getting inside animal carcasses, and facing hypothermia every day were just a few things the actor endured while on set. Again, all of these things make learning a new computer program seem well, like the easiest thing in the world. But we suppose that’s why DiCaprio now has an Oscar and we don’t.
Kate Winslet
For Winslet’s role in the film The Reader, she wanted to really perfect the accent she needed to take on for her character. When we say she committed to this accent, we mean it. Her method of madness? Reading to her kiddos in a German accent every night. (They reportedly grew very tired of this, but when your mom is Kate Winslet…)