Adrien Brody opens up about contracting an eating disorder and mental health problems after filming The Pianist
Adrien Brody has revealed the toll that portraying Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Holocaust survivor, in the 2002 film The Pianist took on his physical and mental health. In a recent interview with Vulture, published on December 24, the actor shared that he developed an eating disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the extreme preparation and emotional demands of the role.
"I definitely had an eating disorder for at least a year," Brody said. "And then I was depressed for a year, if not a lifetime. I'm kidding, I'm kidding."
The actor, now 51, also revealed that he had insomnia and panic attacks long after the filming of the Roman Polanski-directed movie concluded.
Adrien Brody's commitment to The Pianist: Drastic transformations and personal sacrifices
At just 29 years old, Adrien Brody underwent drastic lifestyle changes to immerse himself in the character of Szpilman, a Polish musician who survived the Holocaust. He sold his car, gave up his apartment, and disconnected from comforts like his phone, placing his belongings in storage.
The King Kong star also embarked on a strict diet, consuming minimal protein while practicing classical piano, which led to a 30-pound weight loss. His weight plummeted to 129 pounds, and by the time filming began, he was "barely drinking water." Adrien Brody explained that this intense physical transformation was necessary for his portrayal.
"That was a physical transformation that was necessary for storytelling," he shared. "But then that kind of opened me up, spiritually, to a depth of understanding of emptiness and hunger in a way that I didn't know, ever."
This commitment extended beyond his physical state, as Brody's personal life was also impacted. His relationship with his then-girlfriend ended during this period, adding another layer of emotional strain.
Following the release of The Pianist in 2003, Brody took a year-long break from acting. According to his father, Elliott Brody, this hiatus was not by choice.
"He had just won the Oscar, but he wasn't getting anything that was commensurate to what he had just done. So he turned down a lot of crappy roles," Elliott explained.
The physical and emotional challenges of The Pianist were not an isolated incident in Brody's career. Known for his dedication to method acting, Adrien Brody has employed similarly extreme techniques in other roles.
For the 2005 sci-fi thriller The Jacket, he asked to be placed in a straitjacket to understand his character's experience in a mental institution. In Oxygen, he opted for real metal braces over prosthetics, enduring significant pain when they were removed.
Adrien Brody's preparation for The Pianist left lasting scars. He admitted to dealing with panic attacks, insomnia, and PTSD after the film wrapped. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked on the spiritual insight he gained through the experience, even as it significantly affected his well-being.
"I didn't know how f—king painful that was until they stuck in pliers and ripped them off my teeth at the end,"
Brody said of his work in Oxygen, underscoring the extremes he's willing to endure for his craft.
Adrien Brody has taken on various roles that were noted for their depth and complexity. His recent work includes The Brutalist, an A24 film where he portrays Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect who emigrates to the United States after surviving the Holocaust. The role aligns with Brody's penchant for deeply emotional and historically significant characters.
As Adrien Brody reflects on his career, his experiences in The Pianist highlight his commitment to bring authenticity to his performances. His approach to his roles has been widely recognized in Hollywood.
