Some actors go the extra distance to fit into their roles and radically change their bodies to transform themselves. These performers take transformations to impossible levels with extreme weight loss or gain and intense muscle-building regimes that often transcend what people can think of. Transformations are for the characters but, more importantly, push the limits to mental and physical endurance.
These dramatic changes often come with accolades and challenges and are a testament to the dedication required to tell such real stories. Here's a look at 20 celebrities who have undergone the most dramatic body transformations, redefining dedication in Hollywood and beyond.
1) Christian Bale
Christian Bale is an actor known for his extreme body transformations. He survived on only coffee and an apple a day to lose more than 60 pounds for The Machinist, then gained 100 pounds of pure muscle in six months for Batman Begins (2005); the guy is just unbelievable. In Vice, Bale bulked up yet again for a role, packing on extra carbs and otherwise being relatively sedentary to shape up to more of a rounder body.
2) Chris Pratt
Fans were stunned to see Chris Pratt transform from the generous, chubby Andy on Parks and Recreation to the tight, chiseled Star-Lord of Guardians of the Galaxy. Pratt lost over 60 pounds in six months due to grueling training and dieting. Trained by Duffy Gaver, Pratt took strength training, running, and high-intensity interval training. According to Pratt, the fitness journey improved his mental health. It was a turning point for him in his career and personal life.
3) Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron made dramatic transformations to add depth to her characters. This included getting 30 pounds heavier for her Oscar-winning performance in Monster (2003) and, later, equally tough physical training for Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). For Tully, in 2018, Charlize again transformed into a struggling mother by gaining 50 pounds. She described her intense cravings and subsequent mood changes as challenging but rewarding.
4) Joaquin Phoenix
To embody the disturbed Arthur Fleck in Joker, Joaquin Phoenix went on a diet and managed to lose more than 50 pounds in just a few months, which adds a hauntingly skeletal look to his character. Phoenix worked with a nutritionist and followed a diet with minimal calorie intake, though he later said that the cost was physically steep. His role made him bag an Oscar, and his extreme weight loss breathed life into Fleck's physical and mental condition.
5) Zac Efron
Zac Efron's Baywatch (2017) stunned the audience who remembered him from High School Musical. To achieve a muscular yet lean body Efron avoided processed food and remained on the more stringent carb-cycling diet that reduced carbohydrate intake and relied heavily on proteins and fats. His training program consisted of circuit training and hardcore cardio sessions guided by trainer Patrick Murphy.
6) Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey lost 47 pounds to play an HIV-positive character in Dallas Buyers Club (2013). He dieted on fish and vegetables and consumed minimal calories. He walked to burn excess energy. His lean frame, along with his performance, earned him an Academy Award. McConaughey later confessed that, after filming the transformation, he never viewed food and health the same again. His dedication and willingness to risk his health reiterated his commitment to authentic storytelling and encouraged others to reconsider their physical expectations when acting.
7) Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank's commitment to her role in Million Dollar Baby (2004) entailed gaining 19 pounds of muscle through intense boxing and weight training. Swank had six hours of training daily, alongside a diet rich in protein every 90 minutes. In an interview with MovieWeb back in 2005, she said, "So with a meal, I would drink my egg whites because I could never eat eight to 12 egg whites in a sitting. It’s just the worst thing ever.” Her unwavering efforts bagged her an Oscar win and won her much admiration.
8) Tom Hardy
One of the most well-known Tom Hardy physical transformations is his full-bloated end in Bronson (2008) and his somewhat alarming, muscular bulk in The Dark Knight Rises (2012). In preparation for Bronson, Hardy ballooned up to a massive size by eating gigantic amounts of protein and carbs and undertaking extreme training. He followed that up with a role as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises; again, he was fully developed and almost unrecognizable as the muscularly massive form of Bane. His transformation into Bane also came with harsh neck and trap workouts, making him look menacingly ferocious.
9) Renee Zellweger
Renee Zellweger's transformation into Bridget Jones's Diary in 2001 included gaining over 30 pounds, allowing her to act like the iconic character. Zellweger dieted from fatty foods and sweets but maintained that she regained her original figure only months after dieting and maintaining regular fitness. For Judy (2019), she wore prosthetics and had intense vocal training. Zellweger's transformations for each of her roles illustrate how she prioritized authenticity over the ideals set by Hollywood, which further solidified her legacy as a fearless actress.
10) Jonah Hill
Jon Hill has one of the most talked-about weight loss journeys in Hollywood, as he transformed from his heavier self in Superbad (2007) to a leaner version in Moneyball (2011) and later War Dogs (2016). His transformations were borne out of health motivations and consisted of regular cardio, boxing routines, and dietary changes.
11) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Dwayne Johnson's massive body has been synonymous with his identity, but for Hercules (2014), his dedication to training entered an entirely new level. He followed a "12 Labors" workout, including heavy weights and power lifts, complemented by a diet of lean proteins and vegetables. Johnson's "cheat days" became legendary with his gigantic stacks of pancakes and sushi. Johnson is known for converting fitness into a lifestyle brand and inspiring millions with inspirational workout posts.
12) Anne Hathaway
In Les Misérables (2012), Anne Hathaway's tremendous weight loss was achieved on a diet of just 500 calories daily for her frail look as Fantine. For instance, Hathaway cut her hair short for the role, completely dedicating herself to the physical and emotional exactions of the character. Years later, Hathaway underwent severe martial arts and strength training for The Dark Knight Rises to become the agile Catwoman.
13) Will Smith
In Ali (2001), Will Smith underwent an extreme transformation, gaining more than 35 pounds of muscle to accommodate intense boxing, running, and strength training. Immersing himself in Ali's world involved studying his boxing techniques and movement under the tutelage of top trainers. Such commitment earned Smith an Oscar nomination.
14) Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds became a fitness icon for Blade: Trinity (2004), which entailed muscle building and fat loss. He worked with Don Saladino focusing on strength training and a clean, well-balanced diet. His commitment to fitness came to the fore in Deadpool, for which he trained seriously. Even after an injury, Reynolds went as far as sharing his workout routine and, more importantly, his whole approach to fitness, stressing functional strength.
15) Lady Gaga
In A Star Is Born (2018), Lady Gaga underwent vocal training and physical transformation to look raw and natural for the Ally role. She shed her glamorous stage look and opted for a more grounded image with little makeup and casual clothes. Gaga kept training her voice to perfect the authenticity of live music performances.
16) Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg has a peculiar working out regime, but this time, he transformed himself for Father Stu (2022). With the challenge of becoming a priest before becoming a boxer, he gained 30 pounds within six weeks. Wahlberg explained how much his body suffered compared to other transformations, like the shredded look for Pain & Gain (2013).
17) Jared Leto
Jared Leto's commitment to transformation has been extreme in attempts with Dallas Buyers Club (2013) and Chapter 27 (2007). For Dallas Buyers Club, Leto lost about 30 pounds to play Rayon, for which he won an Oscar. Earlier, he had gained 67 pounds for Chapter 27 by stuffing pizzas and ice cream into his body to portray Mark David Chapman.
18) Margot Robbie
For the role of Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad in 2016, Margot Robbie was put on an intense fitness program comprising gymnastic training to facilitate the athletic agility required. For I, Tonya (2017), Robbie threw herself into figure skating as a competitive sportswoman, perfecting elaborate spins and leaps. Robbie's versatility and application have drawn appreciation, especially amongst coaches who have praised her innate athleticism and good work ethic.
19) Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman's transformation to play Wolverine for the X-Men franchise set a new precedent for hero physiques. To play the character, Jackman put on almost 30 pounds of pure muscle which is quite challenging especially when the actor was at peak physical performance at the time. Such discipline and consistency inspired fitness trends, as "Wolverine workouts" were famous worldwide.
20. Daniel Day-Lewis
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Daniel Day-Lewis went to take a posture of disability as Christy Brown in My Left Foot (1989), a posture that eventually led him to break two ribs because he could not avoid slouching for a long time. For The Boxer (1997), he had to train with former world champion Barry McGuigan to take on the physique and skills of a real boxer. Regarding the details of his method-acting approach, Day-Lewis is also known to spend months preparing for transformational roles.
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