His method is used for actors to better portray emotions on stage and screen by inhabiting the character.

But in La Motta’s decline, the boxer gained a considerable amount of weight.

It was actually La Motta’s weight gain that partially inspired him to take on “Raging Bull.”

Robert De Niro on the red carpet

“I thought I’d like to see if I could gain that weight.

Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta