9 impressive examples of how stars starved, went blind, and came close to death for a role (10 photos)

We admire brilliant on-screen transformations, but rarely consider the price they come at. Where does professional dedication end and the dangerous line begin, beyond which an actor awaits not a standing ovation, but a hospital ward?





This collection isn't just a story about methodology, but a chronicle of the real sacrifices stars have made for the sake of their art. From self-imposed confinement in a hotel to a horrific accident on set, these stories vividly illustrate how acting has become an extreme test of endurance.

1. Heath Ledger's Mystical Joker



For his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008), Heath Ledger secluded himself in a hotel room for several weeks. He cut off all outside contact and immersed himself in a chaotic mental state, filling disturbing journals.

Ledger later said, "I was locked in a room, keeping a little journal... it was all very dark." This self-imposed seclusion yielded a chillingly authentic performance, which, after his death, was recognized with an Oscar.

2. Daniel Day-Lewis's Prison Experience





In preparation for his role as a wrongfully convicted prisoner in the film In the Name of the Father (1993), Daniel Day-Lewis locked himself in a real cell for several days. He went without food, water, or proper sleep.

Some crew members knocked on his door every 10 minutes to keep him awake. Others hurled insults at him, doused him with ice water, and subjected him to hours of grueling interrogations.

3. Uma Thurman's Accident



While filming Kill Bill (2003), Quentin Tarantino persuaded Uma Thurman to perform a dangerous stunt behind the wheel. The car veered off the road and crashed into a tree, resulting in neck and knee injuries.

Thurman recalled:

I was scared. Quentin said, "This is a straight road." But it wasn't a straight road.

The seat wasn't securely fastened, and the road surface was unstable. She feared she would never walk again.

4. Al Pacino and Temporary Blindness



To believably portray Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman (1992), Al Pacino refused to break character. He practiced blurring his gaze and acting as if he were blind.

This dedication to the role came at a high price. This technique damaged his cornea, causing the actor to become temporarily blind in real life. His co-star Chris O'Donnell even thought he was being ignored. But O'Donnell later wrote him a letter explaining, "I couldn't figure out what you were doing because I couldn't really see you."

5. The Poisoning of Buddy Ebsen



Originally cast as the Tin Woodman in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Buddy Ebsen was required to wear aluminum powder makeup. Under the hot spotlights, he constantly inhaled the particles until his lungs swelled and he could barely breathe.

One night, he awoke with excruciating cramps, his skin turning blue. He was rushed to the hospital, where he spent several weeks recovering from the near-fatal injury.

6. Matt Damon's Filming in Sewage



Matt Damon's intense role in Elysium (2013) was accompanied by disgusting conditions. For several days, he filmed scenes knee-deep in sewage, garbage, and hazardous waste under the scorching sun.

He later admitted that the smell was unbearable, the waste thick, and the entire experience disgusting. "It was literally human waste," Damon said, describing the nauseating environment he had to endure.

7. Nicole Kidman's Infamous Scene



In The Paperboy (2012), Nicole Kidman filmed a scene where her character urinates on Zac Efron's character after he's stung by a jellyfish. Yes, it was real, not staged.

Kidman later defended the choice: "I just did it." The moment stunned both Efron and audiences, and its shocking realism sparked endless debate about how far actors should go on set.

8. Leonardo DiCaprio's Survival Test



For The Revenant (2015), Leonardo DiCaprio pushed his body beyond its comfort limits. He waded into icy rivers, risked hypothermia, and crawled through snow wearing authentic animal skins weighing nearly 180 pounds.

But the most famous moment was eating raw bison liver. The crew prepared a replica, but DiCaprio refused to use it, preferring authenticity.

9. Dylan O'Brien's Injury



During the filming of "Maze Runner: The Death Cure" (2018), Dylan O'Brien suffered a horrific motorcycle stunt accident. The accident resulted in a serious traumatic brain injury and multiple facial fractures.

O'Brien required reconstructive surgery, which included four titanium plates being inserted into his face. He later said:

I feel very lucky to have recovered. I was very lucky to have a brilliant doctor who preserved most of my appearance.