8 actors who took method acting to extremes, from Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci, to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar-winning performance in the The Revenant

Nov 25 , 2021

Robert Pattinson, Lady Gaga, Jared Leto and Leonardo DiCaprio all got deep into their roles – but how much method acting is too much? Photos: A24, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Bros., Regency Enterprises

Jared Leto sent bullets to Will Smith and a rat to Margot Robbie while filming Suicide Squad, while Robert Pattinson put stones in his shoes for The Lighthouse

Michael B. Jordan sought therapy after his role in Marvel’s Black Panther, while Jamie Foxx had his eyelids glued shut in the Ray Charles biopic, Ray

House of Gucci, based on the 2000 book of the same name by Sara Gay Forden, is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, noted for being Lady Gaga’s second lead film role. Her first, in A Star is Born, won her an Oscar for best original song and snagged her a nomination for best actress.

In the Ridley Scott-directed drama, Lady Gaga plays Patrizia Reggiani, the infamous socialite who was convicted for arranging the murder of her husband, luxury goods scion Maurizio Gucci.

Lady Gaga plays socialite Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott-directed film House of Gucci. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

She revealed to British Vogue how she prepared for the role. Gaga, who has been doing press tours for the movie, said she lived as Reggiani for a year and a half and spoke with an Italian accent for nine months, including off-camera. Her immersion was so intense that she began to lose touch with reality.

Many Hollywood actors employ method acting to commit to their roles. But who went beyond their comfort zones and risked their health just to deliver a memorable performance?

Jared Leto

Jared Leto, who also stars in House of Gucci, made headlines in 2016 for his method acting in Suicide Squad. Entertainment Weekly reports that he got so deep into the role that he sent fellow cast members a pig corpse. He also sent bullets to Will Smith, a rat to Margot Robbie and a mysterious package to Jay Hernandez.

Robert Pattinson