5 Times Actors Were Traumatized By Their Iconic Roles

Acting is a craft that requires actors to immerse themselves in different characters and portray a wide range of emotions. While the work can be rewarding, it can also cause actors to become deeply affected by the roles they play.

In some cases, the intensity of the character's experiences or the emotional demands of the role can lead to psychological trauma that is difficult (or sometimes impossible) to overcome.

Here are 5 times when actors got so deep into their roles that they were mentally traumatized.

1. Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean

As the feisty and independent-minded daughter of a governor, Keira Knightley's character, Elizabeth Swan, became a role model for the younger generation, as her courage and intelligence set her apart from other women of her generation.

However, not everyone knows that the actress was only 17 years old when she filmed the first Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Being dragged into the world of show business at such a young age and having so much attention around you can leave an impact on a young person.

According to the actress, her rapid popularity and increased attention towards her made her feel worthless and left her with PTSD. She suffered from panic attacks and even underwent hypnotherapy to get rid of them.

2. Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Portman's portrayal of Nina Sayers, a ballerina descending into madness, was the first time when the role pushed the actress to her limits.

She underwent intense physical training and had to tap into the psychological and emotional turmoil of her character. According to the actress, there were moments when she felt she wouldn't survive that experience.

In addition, Portman never had time to seek therapy after filming because she joined the cast of Thor immediately afterward, which left her feeling completely exhausted.

3. Adrien Brody in The Pianist

An example of total devotion and sacrifice to the role. To portray Polish pianist and Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman, Brody isolated himself and subjected his body to extreme physical conditions.

He starved himself, sold all his possessions, and practiced piano for hours a day. The experience left a lasting impression on him, as he admitted that he thought he would never be able to return to a normal life.

His devotion was not in vain, as the role earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

4. Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler

Although Gyllenhaal had to lose 30 pounds for the role of a sociopathic freelance crime journalist, Lou Bloom, it wasn't the worst part for him. To delve into his character's disturbing mindset, the actor underwent a crazy mental journey.

The intense nature of the role and the exploration of moral ambiguity affected him psychologically and marked the experience as a struggle. The actor claims that Lou still haunts him in his nightmares.

5. Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther

Playing a Marvel supervillain in Black Panther cost Michael B. Jordan his inner peace.

Killmonger's intense anger, pain, and desire for vengeance required Jordan to tap into a dark and complex emotional space, and he decided to create that space for himself.

After months of self-isolation, the actor admitted that it was extremely difficult for him to return to normal life. He didn't feel like being around people who loved him, denying their feelings, and preferred to stay alone even after the filming was over.

It was only after counseling that he was able to return, and we can't thank his therapist enough.