Oh, actors: they're a funny bunch, aren't they? Whilst some of them just settle for just turning up on set, reading their lines and going home without a second's thought (think late period Robert De Niro), there are those who will go that extra mile in order to really get into character (think early Robert De Niro). And sometimes they wind up doing super ridiculous things in order to prove to the movie-going public that, hey, they're serious about the craft of acting. You know, wacky things like moving into the wilderness, or trying to stay awake for several days at a time; anything that helps them to fully immerse themselves in the fictional person that they're trying to play. But it can all be worth it. If an actor's sacrifice is big enough (and their ensuing performance good enough), then they might get the biggest form of praise in Hollywood - an Oscar. Once you've been given an Academy Award, you've officially proven yourself to be the best actor of that year, apparently, and - as a result - people will love you (for a while, at least). Still, it's no easy task, as displayed by the following actors, all of whom went to plainly ridiculous, stupid, dumb, idiotic, bizarre, horrible or weird lengths to be nominated for that precious Oscar. You've got to ask yourself, guys: was it worth it?
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
