Adrien Brody opens up about his battle with an eating disorder and PTSD that followed his dramatic weight loss for the acclaimed film “The Pianist.” In a recent interview with Vulture, Brody, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman, candidly admitted, “I definitely had an eating disorder for at least a year.” He added humorously, “And then I was depressed for a year, if not a lifetime.”
The actor’s struggles didn’t end with the completion of filming in 2003; he also dealt with insomnia and panic attacks long after the cameras stopped rolling. To fully embody his character, Brody made significant personal sacrifices, including selling his car and giving up his apartment and phone. He immersed himself in a grueling diet plan, consuming minimal protein while practicing classical piano for the role, ultimately shedding 30 pounds and dropping his weight to just 129 pounds.
Reflecting on this intense physical transformation, the now 51-year-old actor remarked that it allowed him to explore feelings of emptiness and hunger in a deeper way than ever before. Following the film’s release and his subsequent Oscar win, Brody took a year-long hiatus from acting, driven by a sense of disillusionment. His father revealed that despite the accolades, Brody felt he was not receiving offers that matched the significance of his performance, leading him to turn down less appealing roles.
Brody’s commitment to his craft is not new; he has often employed rigorous methods for various roles. For the psychological thriller “The Jacket,” he requested that the director strap him in a straitjacket to better understand his character’s experience. In another instance for “Oxygen,” he chose to wear metal braces instead of prosthetics, a decision he later admitted was extraordinarily painful.
This revelation serves as a reminder of the mental and physical toll that some actors face for their art. If you or someone you know is struggling with similar issues, it’s crucial to seek help from professionals or contact a support line.
