Weighty art of acting leaves Bale fading away

If they were not doing it in the name of art, they would be urged to seek medical help for their eating disorder. But since they are actors, they get awards and the respect of their peers.

If they were not doing it in the name of art, they would be urged to seek medical help for their eating disorder. But since they are actors, they get awards and the respect of their peers.

Ever since Robert De Niro piled on more than 60lbs pounds for his role in Raging Bull, losing or putting on weight has become a benchmark test of an actor's dedication to the craft.

The latest star to alter body weight is Christian Bale, the Welsh-born, Hollywood actor, who went from 184lbs to 121lbs (83kg to 55kg) for the lead role in the thriller The Machinist, as a man whose health deteriorates because he cannot sleep. The film has just begun previews in the United States.

Bale, the next Batman, admitted that losing weight became an obsession; he achieved his aim by reducing his food intake and exercising. He said: "I was also intrigued to see how far I could take it. I was told, if I got to 140/145lb that's still fine. But I was intrigued by a perverse nature of mine just to see if I can go beyond what I've been told is actually safe and OK, and see if I could push the limits."

The actor conceded he had not been concerned about the possible health implications: "I think it is that kind of stupid sense of invulnerability you get on occasions and also the factor because I was doing it for a character. I am not going to do it twice, because I am sure that really would start to become not only dangerous but stupid.''

Some have expressed unease about such extreme "method" acting. Susan Ringwood, chief executive of the Eating Disorders Association said actors had to be cautious: "Very rapid weight loss can have all kinds of unexpected side effects and can cause quite insidious psychological effects. People can become quite unwell.''

There were also concerns, she said, at the message such behaviour might have for those vulnerable to eating disorders. "This type of thing is part of the background pressure about certain body shapes. It could mislead some people into thinking it is very easy to change the shape of their body.''

Lynn Grefe, from the National Eating Disorder Association in the United States said the scale of the loss was "scary". "I think the fact he lost such a tremendous amount of weight is terribly unhealthy. I question what people will do for the sake of art. His health could suffer should he ever try this again."

The actors' union Equity, which has issued guidelines to its members on eating disorders, says actors should always be wary of the hazards in taking any role and, if necessary, seek medical advice. Martin Brown, its spokesman, said: "Although it appears Bale knew what he was doing, no one should put themselves at risk.''

Although Bale has now regained his weight and claims not to have suffered any side effects, some of his colleagues have not fared so well. Donnie Wahlberg, brother of Mark Wahlberg, went on a five-week liquids-only diet to lose 43lbs and achieve an emaciated look in The Sixth Sense; according to some reports, it led to an eating disorder that took him a year to shake off. Matt Damon lost 40lbs for a role in Courage Under Fire which is also said to have resulted in him becoming ill; he also shed 20lbs for his role in The Talented Mr Ripley.

But, as De Niro proved, going to extremes can lead to honours. To play Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, he lost 35lbs and won an Oscar nomination; while a few years and an extra 60lbs later, he won the 1980 Best Actor Oscar for Raging Bull. Tom Hanks shed 50lbs for Castaway, earning him a Golden Globe in 2000.

Renée Zellweger, whose extra weight for Bridget Jones's Diary became the subject of almost obsessive media interest won an Oscar nomination, while Charlize Theron took the award for playing a serial killer in Monster, for which she was required to add 43lbs.

Chris Hewitt, news editor of Empire magazine, said he did not believe actors were generally concerned about sparking eating disorders in themselves or others. "I think most of them know what they are doing. It is seen as a good thing and shows you are committed as an actor. It gets you talked about.''

Perhaps the last word should go to the late Laurence Oliver. On the set of Marathon Man, he was confronted with a haggard Dustin Hoffman, who had gone without food and sleep for two days to prepare for a particular scene. The great thespian asked: "Hasn't the dear boy heard of acting?"