"Joker" Was Based On This True Story of an Unhinged Man

Pushing the Envelope

Conrad leaned into his roles in real life. After becoming recognized for his strange characters, he began acting strangely in his every day. He'd go to theaters dressed in a cape and monocle, similar to the appearances of classic villains at the time. It was intriguing, but just like the Joker, soon Conrad’s commitment to his artistic craft went a bit too far...

Developing Obsession

Conrad became dedicated in all forms. A local actor offered him free acting lessons, which Conrad accepted. He soon was enamored with perfecting every performance, getting to the point that he'd skip meals and stopped bathing regularly. He lost weight quickly, and his new haunting figure would prove to be helpful in his new search for roles...

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The More You Know

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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.