Adrien Brody struggled with an eating disorder after losing weight as a pianist

Adrien Brody he lost 30 pounds for his role in 2003 Pianistwhich had lasting effects on his body.

“It was a physical transformation that was necessary for the narrative,” Brody, 51, said New York Magazine in a profile posted on Monday, December 23. “But then it opened me spiritually to a depth of understanding of emptiness and hunger in a way I had never known.

Brody portrayed a radio station musician Władysław Szpilman in biographical film, depicting how the character survived the Second World War in Poland. The film earned Brody his first Oscar. After that, the actor experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders.

“I definitely had an eating disorder for at least a year,” Brody said New York Magazine. “And then I was depressed for a year, if not my whole life. I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”

On get into characterThe website said he “went on a near-starvation diet” and ate only small “bits of protein” while playing Chopin’s piano works for an hour. Brody was also reportedly “barely drinking water” when filming began.

After Pianist wrapped and Brody won an Oscar, he took a year off from acting.

“I admit the bar was high,” he recalled. “I’d rather not go into a list of specific movies that I thought were disastrous.”

After a series of roles that were admittedly less successful, Brody took another break around 2018. his girlfriendfashion designer Georgina Chapmanwhich later inspired his return.

“I just stepped out. It helped me recalibrate,” Brody said of the exit. “It helped me realize that it would be a waste to let frustration interfere with what I’m meant to do with an open heart.”

Brody will play next Brutalist about the artist Lázsló Tóthwho escaped Nazi-occupied Europe during the Holocaust.

“Brutalist broke some illusion of needing suffering beyond what I needed to conjure up the character,” Brody said. “It was a surprise to me that I didn’t need to take home so many of my own troubles.

As with PianistBrody also felt a responsibility to portray Tóth authentically Brutalist.

“I knew when it was true and when it wasn’t,” he explained. “Hungarian sensibility, sensitivity and strength is a distinct quality to me that is present in this character.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders Alliance website or call their hotline at +1 (866) 662-1235. Text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 toll free, 24/7 support.