#2381 - Taylor Kitsch

Actor Taylor Kitsch reveals an intensive and immersive approach to acting, often at the expense of his physical and emotional well-being, to achieve authenticity in his portrayals.

Kitsch Immerses In Character Roles to Deliver Authenticity

In preparing for his roles, Taylor Kitsch places a heavy emphasis on authenticity. He describes playing a character deeply connected to Native American life, using the character’s backstory of loss to inform his fighting style—“all in” and “wild”—as it reflects the character’s mindset of seeking an honorable death to reunite with his deceased family.

Kitsch's Preparation Involves Skill Learning, Method Acting, and Maintaining Character's Mental State Between Takes

To physically embody the characters he plays, Kitsch mentioned extreme transformations such as losing 30 pounds for a role and previously shedding 35 pounds in 30 days for a film about war photographers. These physical alterations, however, led to health issues like a low heart rate and thyroid problems.

Kitsch’s preparation includes emotionally connecting with the character. For example, he worked with a shaman in Montana and engaged with elders at the Wind River Shoshone reservation for a role, bringing back information to the director to ensure the portrayal was respectful and accurate. Kitsch even took part in two-hour sweat lodge sessions to prepare mentally and incorporated aspects of his character's lifestyle into his own, such as honoring horses significant to Shoshone culture.

To better understand his characters, Kitsch met with family members of fallen SEALs and drew on the experiences of a close friend who was a Navy Seal. His immersive preparation enables him to perform emotionally charged scenes with greater depth, such as deciding on specific actions like a character pushing himself up with his rifle for authenticity’s sake.

Kitsch Dedicates Time To Research, Training, and Emotionally Connecting to Fully Inhabit the Character's Mindset and Experiences

Kitsch approaches his roles through deep research and lengthy preparation, spending "months and months and months" beforehand. He discussed the mental aspect of preparing for roles, such as being nervous about meeting Dan Murphy to ensure that he had prepared enough to be worthy of portraying the character.

Kitsch's Authenticity Can Tax, Leading To Post-Filming Dreams and Effects

Such commitment can take its toll. Kitsch has battled nightmares while living alone in a hotel room in South Africa, an experience that affected him deeply, particularly when he started internalizing the troubled thoughts of the characters he portrayed. He acknowledges that this process can be soul-crushing, as immersing himself in the trauma necessary for a performance leads him to manifest it in his work. ...

Taylor Kitsch's personal journey with his sister's addiction battle has given him deep insights into the harsh realities of substance abuse and the difficult path to recovery.

Kitsch Gains Insights From Supporting Sister's Addiction Battle

Taylor Kitsch took time off from his own life to support his sister during her tumultuous battle with addiction.

Kitsch Reveals Sister's Battle With Withdrawal, Relapse, and Rehab Failures

Kitsch recounts the harrowing experience of watching his sister detox on his kitchen floor, describing her pain as she suffered from extreme withdrawal symptoms. She relapsed multiple times, despite attempts at rehabilitation in cities like Austin and Los Angeles. Tragically, she nearly lost her life several times to overdoses that required the administration of [restricted term].

He also shares the struggle of dealing with his sister's night terrors and her dependence on a variety of medications, including sleeping pills and antidepressants. Kitsch narrates a particularly frightening incident where his sister survived an overdose of 60 sleeping pills, saved only because the medication was time-released.

Despite intensive 90-day rehab programs, which sometimes turned into nine-month stays, and multiple relapses where she once used drugs in Calabasas, his sister's addiction proved relentless. However, through all the trials, she remained determined to get clean for her nieces and nephews, demonstrating the subjective and personal nature of addiction recovery.

Kitsch's Efforts to Help His Sister Get Sober

Desperately trying to pull his sister out of harmful environments, Kitsch sought help from his friend Marcus, who offered them refuge at his ranch—a sanctuary from [restricted term], heroin, and [restricted term]. They stayed there for ten days to help her maintain sobriety in the absence of these drugs.

During her recovery, Kitsch faced systemic failings while trying to assist her. After she relapsed several times, he took an active role in her recovery, bringing her down to stay with him. They walked down Abbot Kinney at 3 a.m. during her painful withdrawal, experiencing first-hand the complexities of finding suitable detox facilities.

Financially, the battle was intense. Kitsch faced significant losses, including $30,000 when his sister fled a sober living facility, and struggled with the costs of various rehab centers. At one point, when he was out of money, he considered sending her back to Vancouver, though she feared that would lead to her death.

Ultimately, Kitsch's sister ...

Actor Taylor Kitsch delves into the Waco incident and the control leveraged by cult leader David Koresh. Through Kitsch's immersion in the role and discussions on the complexities of such fringe groups, many layers of moral ambiguity and tragic outcomes are explored.

Kitsch's Deep Dive Into Waco, Including Talks With Survivors and Experts, Gives Him a Nuanced Understanding

Taylor Kitsch, in his preparation to portray cult leader David Koresh, took a deep dive into the Waco tragedy. He references talking to survivors, which gave him on-ground insight during filming. Kitsch’s interactions likely included deep research and potentially talks with experts. His thorough approach to understanding the role reveals a commitment to honoring the complexity of the events at Waco.

Kitsch Is Fascinated by Koresh's Control Over Followers Through Religious Fanaticism and Psychological Tactics

Kitsch speaks about David Koresh's manipulative tactics, his victim-playing characteristics, and his use of "Bible speak" to assert control during confrontations. He conveys how Koresh's biblical knowledge became a defense mechanism that no one could counter. Kitsch also discusses Koresh's claim to a divine revelation, which he called "the new light," whereby Koresh declared he was the only one allowed to sleep with the women in the group. Moreover, Kitsch speaks of the psychological control Koresh exercised based on religious fanaticism, such as speaking of the end times and the need to father many children who would ascend to heaven with him. As a leader, Koresh was able to exploit the innate human tendency to seek out leaders, gaining followers who might have been lacking in confidence themselves.

Kitsch Acknowledges the Tragic Loss of Life, Including Children, in the Government's Disastrous Raid

Kitsch and Joe Rogan discuss the Waco siege's tragic outcome, noting that 76 people died, including around 20 children. Kitsch critiques the government's actions, such as using tanks and deploying fire against the compound, which were actions denied by the government d ...

Taylor Kitsch opens up about the pitfalls of fame and the intense scrutiny that comes with a career in the entertainment industry, sharing his personal experiences.

Kitsch's Career Hit by Negative Media Effects

Kitsch Faces Unjustified Criticism Struggles After Films Like "John Carter"

Kitsch recounts the challenges he faced following the release of "John Carter." Despite the film being one of the highest tested movies in Disney's history, it was met with harsh criticism, which Kitsch believes was unjustified. The negative media effects hammered his career, leaving him in a dark spot and forcing him to rebuild his career and reputation from the ground up. This experience highlights the often disproportionate and damaging impact that negative press can have on actors.

Kitsch Prioritizes a Healthy Perspective and Self-Worth Over Others' Opinions

In dealing with such criticism, Kitsch has learned to distance himself from the negativity by not reading reviews or any kind of feedback. This approach has resulted in a healthier outlook for him, as he now places greater importance on his self-worth and personal perspective rather than being swayed by the opinions of others.

Kitsch Prior ...