10 Ridiculous Ways Actors Got Into Character For Oscar Nominated Roles

3. Gary Oldman Stuffed Himself With Treacle Sponge & Custard - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Not many people would expect that consuming endless portions of treacle sponge and custard could help an actor on his way to an Academy Award nomination, but in Gary Oldman's case... well, that's exactly what happened. It's mental to think that Oldman has only ever been nominated for a single Oscar over the span of his immensely wonderful and eclectic career, but hey ho! Thankfully the Academy recognised him for Tinker Taylor Solider Spy, a film in which the British legend played secret agent boss George Smiley, based on the wonderful novel by John le Carré. In order to prepare for his role as Smiley, however, Oldman employed an unusual technique: he ate tons and tons of treacle sponge and custard in order to develop a pot belly - something he saw as crucial to his inhabiting his character. The approach clearly worked, of course, given the Oscar nomination (plus he got to eat loads of custard!).