12 Epic roles that destroyed the actors playing them (With Pictures)

10. Natalie Portman — Nina Sayers, Black Swan

Natalie Portman lost 20 pounds and practised ballet for up to 16 hours a day for her role in 2010’s Black Swan. She claimed that in order to lose the weight off of her already tiny frame she was barely eating.

Her body felt the pressures of the preparation, her toe nails fells off, her feet were calloused and she even dislocated a rib during a lift. “There were some nights I thought I literally was going to die,” Portman said. Her co-star Mila Kunis went through similar preparations losing 20 pounds herself.

All of that aside, Portman did win an Oscar for Best Actress in the role. I hope she celebrated with some burgers, fries and milkshakes.