10 Actors Who Mastered New Skills Just For A Movie Role

Chadwick Boseman - Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

For his powerful role as trumpet player Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Chadwick Boseman didn’t rely on movie tricks or miming. He actually learned how to play the trumpet so his performance would feel real. His commitment had a ripple effect on set, pushing other actors to raise their own standards. Co-star Colman Domingo even shared that Boseman’s dedication inspired everyone to step up their preparation.

Andrew Garfield - Tick, Tick… Boom!

Before stepping into the role of composer Jonathan Larson, Andrew Garfield had no professional singing background. Still, he spent an entire year training his voice and learning piano to prepare for Tick, Tick… Boom!. The opportunity almost slipped away before it even began, as director Lin-Manuel Miranda secretly asked Garfield’s massage therapist, who happened to be his friend, if he could sing. The friend boldly said yes, even though it wasn’t true at the time.

Jennifer Lawrence - Red Sparrow

Jennifer Lawrence pushed her body to its limits while preparing to play ballerina-turned-spy Dominika Egorova in Red Sparrow. She trained in ballet for four hours a day, five days a week, under the guidance of former New York City Ballet dancer Kurt Froman. Even though only the upper half of her body appears in many of the dance scenes, Lawrence still learned every piece of choreography in full.

Will Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness

One of the most memorable moments in The Pursuit of Happyness involves Will Smith’s character impressing a stockbroker by solving a Rubik’s Cube. Rather than faking it with camera tricks, Smith insisted on learning how to do it for real. He trained with Tyson Mao, a co-founder of the World Cube Association, and after about ten hours of focused practice, Smith could solve the cube entirely from memory.

Angelina Jolie - Maria

To step into the shoes of legendary opera singer Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie had to do something she had never done before: sing opera in front of people. The transformation was not quick or easy. She spent nearly seven months in intense vocal training under the guidance of director Pablo Larraín’s demanding process. Jolie began in private, practicing in small rooms to overcome her nerves before eventually singing in grand venues like La Scala. Even her children were part of her earliest practice sessions.

Ed Harris - Pollock

To portray iconic painter Jackson Pollock, Ed Harris didn’t just study the artist—he became one. Years before filming, Harris built a personal art studio and began practicing action painting, closely studying footage of Pollock at work from the 1950s. He experimented with abstract techniques, focusing on rhythm, motion, and energy rather than traditional brushwork. Harris spent over a decade painting and refining his approach, trying to understand what it felt like to create art the way Pollock did.

Rachel Weisz - The Brothers Bloom

Rachel Weisz faced one of the most unusual preparation schedules of her career while working on The Brothers Bloom. In just two weeks, she had to become believable at a long list of skills including violin, piano, banjo, guitar, karate, juggling, skateboarding, and even riding a unicycle. On top of that, she spent weeks mastering a highly technical card trick with the help of a specialist flown in from the UK.

Debbie Reynolds - Singin’ in the Rain

Before starring in Singin’ in the Rain, Debbie Reynolds had no formal dance training, yet she was expected to perform alongside seasoned professionals like Gene Kelly. With only three months to prepare, she trained relentlessly, dancing up to eight hours a day. The pressure was overwhelming, and at one point she was so exhausted that she broke down in tears under a piano. Legendary dancer Fred Astaire found her there and offered comfort.

Riz Ahmed - Sound of Metal

To portray drummer Ruben Stone, who gradually loses his hearing, Riz Ahmed underwent one of the most intense transformations of his career. He spent seven months learning American Sign Language with coach Jeremy Lee Stone while also being immersed in Deaf culture. Ahmed also learned to play the drums for real so that his performance would feel honest on screen. By studying how Deaf people communicate emotionally through movement and expression, he gained a deeper understanding of what listening truly means.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt - The Walk

Playing French tightrope legend Philippe Petit required more than acting; it required genuine physical skill. For The Walk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt trained directly with Petit himself to learn how to walk on a highwire. This wasn’t a simple stunt lesson but a full immersion into the mindset and balance required to perform at great heights. Gordon-Levitt practiced extensively to understand the movement, fear, and focus needed for the role.