Actors are generally known for their above average looks (to say the least), and the bodies that go with them. Having said that, it doesn’t stop the occasional star from having to dramatically slim down for a role.
Weight loss for a role can quite literally be done in vain. In some cases however, the transformation can be extreme, or even disturbing. The challenge doesn’t only lie in the physical transformation, but actors are also often challenged by the complex characters they are required to depict who lie beneath the skeletal exterior.
Either way, adapting to the role of the character is all part of the job. For many (if not all) of the actors in this list, dramatic weight loss was well worth their while. In a town where less is certainly more as far as the scale is concerned, here are the top ten most dramatic weight losses made by actors for a role:
[new page]
10. Seth Rogan - The Green Hornet
Even though Rogan still didn’t look frail after his trim down for The Green Hornet, his 30 lb deficit is still nothing to snub.
[new page]
9. Beyoncé - Dreamgirls
Queen Bey had to lose around 20 lbs in order to play Deena Jones in Dreamgirls in 2006.
[new page]
8. Tom Hanks - Castaway
Hanks had to lose a whopping 50 lbs to secure his role in Castaway.
[new page]
7 & 6. Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis - Black Swan
Its no surprise that these already slender actresses had to appear almost skeletal for their roles in the ballet themed drama. Kunis claims to have dropped to a scary 95 lbs while filming.
[new page]
5. Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables
The whole Les Mis cast had to lose weight to keep the musical set during the French revolution historically accurate. Hathaway certainly takes the cake (pun intended) for the most alarming figure, or lack thereof.
[new page]
4. Jake Gyllenhaal - NIghtcrawler
Gyllenhaal shows off his genetically blessed bone structure in order to play a conflicted journalist in the yet to be released Nightcrawler.
[new page]
3. Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club
The former sexiest man alive is almost unrecognizable as he plays an AIDS victim in the critically acclaimed film.
[new page]
2. Christian Bale - The Machinist
Christian Bale is known for his ability to gain and drop weight to adapt to roles. The most dramatic weight loss took place in 2004 when he played a crazed insomniac in The Machinist when he had to lose 63 lbs.
[new page]
1. 50 cent - All Things Fall Apart
Although not an actor by trade, 50 cent looks radically unfamiliar when he plays a terminally ill football player in All Things Fall Apart.