Seriously Method Acting
When it comes to method acting, Robert De Niro is the champ. He had his teeth shaved down for “Cape Fear” and worked as an NYC cabbie preparing for his iconic role in “Taxi”.
What he does to prepare for roles is truly astounding. No wonder he is considered one of the best in Hollywood.
Nicholson Dove Deep
Jack Nicholson’s commitment to method acting in preparing for the film spanned from living in the psychiatric ward amongst the patients to participating in real-life group therapy sessions. Fully immersing himself in the rebellious mind of McMurphy triggered some hitches. In developing the character, Nicholson sparred often with director Forman.
First, they clashed over Nicholson’s beard idea, then, the two butted heads so squarely over the telling of the story that they were not on speaking terms during most of the filming. To communicate, cinematographer Bill Butler had to serve as a go-between.
No Stranger to the Crazy
Nicholson is known for mentally committing to his roles. Later, in Kubrick’s "The Shining", he was caught on tape preparing for the ax scene by running around the set screaming maniacally, “Ax, murder, kill!”
Nicholson's Jack Torrance is one of the most terrifying characters in the movie, immortalized for all eternity by the freaky improvised line, “Heeeere’s Johnny!”
Method actors are can be found all over the film industry. Other film legends have gone to shocking extremes to create outstanding and memorable characters. Here are some more of the very best.
De Niro Got Ripped
Portraying Scorsese’s "Raging Bull" star, world champion boxer Jake LaMotta, took role prep to an entirely new level. De Niro packed on a mind-blowing 60 pounds, ameliorating the ripped boxer physique he trained for in the first part of the film.
He achieved the authentic old Italian guy look by traveling to Sicily and consuming as much pasta as possible while hanging out with elderly Italians. He won the Oscar for Best Actor.
Hoffman Didn't Sleep
Dustin Hoffman was trained at the celebrated Actor’s Studio in NYC. In "Marathon Man", he played opposite Laurence Olivier, a classically trained actor. When Hoffman had a scene in which his character did not sleep for three nights, Hoffman stayed up for three nights.
Legendarily, when he told Olivier his method, the response of the classically trained actor was, “Why don’t you just try acting?” Hoffman had the last laugh. Method acting made him a two-time Oscar winner ("Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Rain Man").