Adrien Brody Opens Up About Struggles After 'The Pianist' Role

Adrien Brody, known for his intense dedication to his craft, recently revealed the toll his Oscar-winning role in The Pianist took on his mental and physical health. In a December 23 interview with Vulture, the actor shared how preparing to portray Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman left lasting effects.

To authentically depict the character, Brody underwent an extreme physical transformation, losing 30 pounds and dropping to 129 pounds. “I was barely drinking water by the time we started filming,” he admitted. The process opened him up to a deeper understanding of hunger and emptiness but came at a cost.

Brody disclosed experiencing panic attacks, insomnia, and PTSD, along with an eating disorder that lasted a year. He also battled depression, though he lightened the tone by joking, “if not a lifetime. I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”

Currently, Brody stars in the A24 film The Brutalist, playing Hungarian-Jewish architect László Toth, who rebuilds his life in America after surviving the Holocaust. His commitment to storytelling continues to shine, but his journey with The Pianist remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices some actors make for their craft.