10 Infamous Times Actors Refused To Break Character

Even before Forest Whitaker started filming The Last King of Scotland, Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was encroaching on the actor’s life. In the months preceding production Whitaker dedicated himself to learning all he could about his onscreen persona, becoming fluent in Amin’s native language Kiswahili and spending time with Amin’s family and friends to better understand and humanise the charismatic but ruthless leader.

He also put on over 50 pounds to pull off Amin’s rotund physique and learned to play accordion just as the despot had. Whitaker nailed his mannerisms so perfectly that while shooting a scene set in a remote village, local extras were so convinced by his performance that they thought he really was Idi Amin despite the dictator dying a few years previously.

For three whole months of shooting, Whitaker never once broke character which proved quite unnerving for his co-stars. Kerry Washington, who played one of Amin’s many wives in the movie, noted “He totally embraced the character, and for me it was terrifying. He was scary to be around because he was Idi all the time."

It took its toll on Whitaker too who later described the experience of getting into the mind of a dictator and staying there as all-consuming. He did, however, sweep the boards on the awards circuit with his performance winning Best Actor at the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards so at least it was worth it.