Donnie Wahlberg ‘starved’ himself and cut himself off from his family to play the disturbed character of Vincent Gray in The Sixth Sense.
The New Kids On The Block had only starred in a handful of movies when he landed the role of former mental patient and heroin addict Vincent – who, spoiler, kills his former psychiatrist Dr Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), leading to one of the most famous twists in movie history.
But seeing as Donnie, then 28, was totally ripped and eight years older than director M Night Shyamalan had envisioned Vincent, he had to totally transform his body and state of mind for the role.
Speaking to USA Today, Donnie, now 49, explained that he left his then-wife Kimberly Fey and their two children to live in a New York apartment for weeks on his own with no credit card and become ’emaciated’.
He said: ‘I starved myself. I would fast for two days then only eat steamed cabbage and drink beet juice. I would chew gum all day and I would literally walk around the streets to burn thousands of calories. I didn’t shower for weeks.
‘I just wasn’t taking care of myself and I was a loner. That was as close as I could come to this guy. I definitely had to suffer in the only way I could. I was so hungry. I was depressed. I cut off my life to get ready for the role.’
Wahlberg lost 43 pounds (over three stone) for the role, dipping to just 139 pounds (9 stone 9).
The actor, also known for his roles in Ransom, the Saw films and the TV show Blue Bloods, had such a transformation in The Sixth Sense that many people are unaware he actually played Vincent in the horror.
Donnie, who is now married to Jenny McCarthy, said: ‘This was a game-changer for me. Every day for years people would say, “Dude, I didn’t know that was you”.
‘At that time, I did exactly what I needed to do for the role. I had to look like I was going through hell. I went to a really dark place.’
The Sixth Sense, which stars Haley Joel Osment as Cole, a young boy who can see dead people, became a huge success upon its release 20 years ago, gaining six Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.
It also introduced the world to M Night Shyamalan and his tendency to introduce huge twists in his movie’s endings – so much so that even if you haven’t seen The Sixth Sense, you know the dealio is with Bruce Willis.
Got a showbiz story?
If you’ve got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: David Tennant keen to return to Doctor Who for 60th anniversary: ‘It would be fun’
