Donnie Wahlberg did everything he could to fit the role of Vincent Gray in “The Sixth Sense”.
The actor, 49, revealed just how far he went to embody the role of a former mental patient in M. Night Shyamalan’s famous film. “This was a game-changer for me,” Wahlberg told USA Today.
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“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,” he shared while celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary. “I had to look like I was going through hell. I went to a really dark place.”
“Nothing about me was right for the part, except for my total enthusiasm for the script,” Wahlberg revealed, admitting he constantly pestered Shyamalan for the role. “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.”
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It wasn’t just his diet that took a hit. “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,” Wahlberg said. “I was so hungry. I was depressed… I cut off my life to get ready for the role.”
Wahlberg ultimately lost 43-pounds for the film. It was all worth it. “The movie is such a great source of pride for me,” he exclaimed. “Not just my work but to be part of that group. Everyone brought it so hard for that movie.”
