Actors often go through extreme physical transformations for their roles, and while it might sound glamorous, it’s anything but easy. Sometimes they’re asked to gain weight, other times to slim down dramatically, and either way, they usually have to return to their “red carpet ready” bodies almost immediately for press tours.
For many, the first part, gaining weight, can actually be the fun bit. Matt Damon once said it was the easiest and most enjoyable time he’d ever had working, since he didn’t have to worry about the gym and just ate everything he could see. But the good times end when the cameras stop rolling, and the struggle to shed those pounds begins.
Renee Zellweger knows that all too well after repeatedly transforming herself for Bridget Jones. People constantly asked how she lost the weight afterward, but she explained that it was never about Renee Zellweger losing pounds. It was about the actress authentically playing Bridget, a woman with a very different lifestyle, which meant her body needed to reflect that character.
For other actors, the challenge is reversed. Instead of gaining, they have to lose weight to the point of becoming underweight, which is not only hard but often unhealthy. Chris Hemsworth recalled the mental strain of preparing for one of those roles, saying he became obsessed with food, constantly calculating what he could eat, when he could eat it, and what he would have to sacrifice. His diet became frighteningly minimal: just small pieces of fish or salad, maybe some nuts or a bit of fruit.
Still, Hemsworth’s transformation wasn’t nearly as extreme as Charlie Hunnam’s for Papillon. He described trying to get down to 145 pounds but finding that his body simply wouldn’t cooperate. After exhausting every method he knew, he resorted to the drastic step of not eating for ten days straight, avoiding water, and even staying locked inside the prison set to push himself deeper into character. He admitted things got pretty weird toward the end, but he stuck with it to make the role believable.
It’s a stark reminder that behind the glamour of Hollywood transformations lies a reality that isn’t sustainable or healthy. If you’re trying to slim down yourself, maybe take inspiration from their dedication but definitely not from their extreme methods.
