Actors Who Never Recovered From Their Most Distressing Roles

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Natalie Portman endured a particularly punishing training regimen for Black Swan—in fact, she pushed herself so far that she felt like she was on the verge of death. Portman dislocated a rib during her 8-hour daily rehearsals and lost 20 pounds for the role, surviving solely on a diet of carrots and almonds. Portman, much like her character, was desperate to achieve perfection. She won an Oscar for her performance, but at a cost: "There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die," she said.