The practice helps performers create realistic stage and screen characters but forWill Smith, it was nearly disastrous.

Smith is about to drop his autobiography, appropriately titled “Will,” on November 9.

That immersion manifested itself in another way, too.

Will Smith, red carpet

Channing played Ouisa Kittredge in the film, a role she’d originated on Broadway (viaBroadway).

“Our marriage was off to a rocky start.

I found myself desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.”

Stockard Channing 2015

“You’re actually playing around with your psychology.

You teach yourself to like things and to dislike things.

It is a really dangerous place when you get good at it.”