Jamie Foxx "went through hell" to play Soloist

[Sussudio]

Very interesting article from CNN:

"The Soloist," based on a true story, tells how Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, played by Robert Downey Jr., discovered the homeless Ayers and helped the former music prodigy, who has schizophrenia. The movie comes out Friday. Jamie Foxx suffered through his own psychological turmoil while plunging into the role of a mentally ill musician in "The Soloist," the actor said.

Foxx, 41, revealed that his bond with Nathaniel Ayers was close because of his own yearlong battle two decades ago -- triggered when "somebody slipped me something in college and I lost my mind."

Foxx, who won an Oscar in 2005 for his portrayal of music legend Ray Charles, said he consulted a psychiatrist because he feared what would happen as he took on Ayers' personality.

"I asked very foolishly, 'Can I catch schizophrenia?' and he says, 'No, you can't catch schizophrenia.' "

The doctor warned him he could experience post-traumatic stress, Foxx said.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Foxx suffered "panic attacks and bouts of paranoia" during filming.

Foxx told of one early morning incident when he got so far into Ayers' character that he called his manager and said, "I know why Nathaniel does this and I'm him!"

"I explained what I was feeling to him and he said 'Foxx, you're not Nathaniel,' " he said.

Source/Full Story: CNN


Who's planning on seeing this?