10 Subtle Instances Of Method Acting You Didn't Even Know About

6. Hilary Swank Covered Up An Infection For Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby
Warner Bros. Pictures

Clint Eastwood believed Hilary Swank would be great for the role of Maggie in Million Dollar Baby if only she could bulk up. Swank did that and then some, undergoing an extensive exercise regime, including in-ring training and gaining 19-pounds of muscle, which involved five-hours of training per day.

While the physical changes were clearly notable in the film, both in terms of her physique and boxing skills, another side-effect wasn't seen in the movie. Due to the amount of training she did, Swank actually ended up with a potentially life-threatening staph infection. However, the actress - who won an Oscar for the movie - didn't tell anybody on set about it, because she believed that's how her character would've acted too.

So basically, Swank almost died for this part, and no one could tell on screen.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.