From Natalie Portman to Anne Hathaway, 10 Celebs Who Underwent Extreme Physical Transformations For Their Roles

10 celebs who went on extreme diets for their roles

Some roles demand physical transformations, where actors go to great lengths to immerse themselves in their characters. From shedding pounds to gaining excess weight, these actors have redefined their bodies to bring authenticity to their roles on the big screen. From Christian Bale's extreme weight loss for "The Machinist" to Natalie Portman's dramatic change for "Black Swan", here are some of Hollywood's most talented stars who underwent astonishing physical changes in their pursuit of cinematic excellence.

Renee Zellweger

Renee Zellweger, typically a size 4, underwent a substantial transformation by gaining 20 pounds, reaching a size 14 for her iconic role as Bridget Jones in "Bridget Jones' Diary" (2001). However, even after shedding the extra weight post-filming, Zellweger continued to face scrutiny over her physique, which deeply affected her. She opened up about the impact of societal emphasis on physical appearance, expressing her frustration with being constantly questioned about her weight. Zellweger recounted being pursued by a photographer at Heathrow Airport who was solely interested in capturing images of her backside, highlighting the disturbing obsession with celebrities' bodies.

Chris Hemsworth

Actor Chris Hemsworth, widely recognized for his muscular physique, underwent a remarkable transformation in his role as Owen Chase in the film adaptation of "Moby Dick," titled "In the Heart of the Sea." To authentically portray a shipwrecked man at sea, Hemsworth adopted a leaner and emaciated appearance, requiring him to follow an extremely restrictive diet. He disclosed to Entertainment Tonight that he consumed just 500 to 700 calories daily for several weeks. This demanding regimen left him feeling uncomfortable with food dominating his thoughts during this challenging period of physical preparation.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale is no stranger to remarkable physical transformations for his roles, accomplishing two astounding feats in the films "The Machinist" and "The Fighter." In preparation for "The Machinist," Bale astonishingly shed 63 pounds, equivalent to a third of his body weight, through a regimen that involved vitamins, an austere diet, and rigorous exercise. This dramatic weight loss was to embody a chronic insomniac industrial worker who survives a year without sleep. Additionally, for "The Fighter," the 6-foot actor underwent yet another transformation, downsizing to portray Dicky Eklund, a former professional wrestler grappling with crack cocaine addiction.

Lily James

Lily James, renowned for her role in "Cinderella," reportedly undertook a "cleanse" to comfortably fit into a corset for her role. Despite criticism from nutritionists about the potential adverse effects of liquid diets on metabolism and digestion, celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce have endorsed this weight loss method. In Lily James' case, her choice was driven more by the need for comfort during filming than by a desire for weight loss. This highlights the lengths to which some actors go to prepare for specific roles, even if it means adopting unconventional dieting methods.

Charlize Theron

Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron gained 30 pounds by indulging in doughnuts for her role as a prostitute and serial killer in the 2003 film "Monster." Theron, typically a size 8, emphasized that her goal was not to become overweight but to authentically portray her character, Aileen, who carried physical scars from her challenging life. She believed that this transformation allowed her to better connect with Aileen's experiences and emotions as her typically athletic physique wouldn't have conveyed the same authenticity required for the role. Theron's commitment to her craft and dedication to character portrayal earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award.

50 Cent

Rapper 50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his role as a cancer-stricken football player in the movie "Things Fall Apart." In just nine weeks, he shed 54 pounds, going from 214 pounds to 160 by adhering to a rigorous liquid diet. This weight loss was particularly challenging for 50 Cent, who after being shot in the jaw in 2000, was put on a liquid diet that brought his weight down to 157. 

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway, renowned for her role in "The Devil Wears Prada," underwent a staggering transformation for her part as Fantine in the 2012 film "Les Misérables." To portray a dying prostitute with tuberculosis, Hathaway reportedly shed 25 pounds and even shaved her head. Her extreme diet consisted of consuming less than 500 daily calories, including two thin squares of dried oatmeal paste. Hathaway shared that she had to be obsessive to achieve the near-death appearance required for the character. While she acknowledged the intensity of the experience, she believed it was necessary to authentically embody Fantine's tragic role.

Matthew McConaughey

Texan actor Matthew McConaughey underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his role as AIDS patient Ron Woodruff in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film "Dallas Buyers Club." McConaughey, who eventually won an Oscar for this portrayal, lost nearly 50 pounds for the role. Under the guidance of a nutritionist, he reportedly shed 3.5 pounds each week, emphasizing his dedication to the character's authentic portrayal. His remarkable weight loss and compelling performance earned him both critical acclaim and a well-deserved Academy Award.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto, famous for his music and acting, played transgender AIDS patient Rayon in "Dallas Buyers Club"and shed many pounds for authenticity. However, Leto's dedication to his craft went further when he took on the role of John Lennon's killer in "Chapter 27." To embody the character, he astonishingly gained 60 pounds, enduring gout-like foot pain and a year of poor health. Leto's commitment led him to binge-eat and force-feed himself, showcasing the extremes to which he would go for his art.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman, a Harvard graduate and committed vegan, underwent a significant transformation for her Oscar-winning role in "Black Swan." She reportedly shed 20 pounds to portray a ballerina on the brink. Notably, her co-star, Mila Kunis also experienced a similar weight loss, reaching a mere 95 pounds for her part. Kunis, reflecting on the transformation, admitted that in real life, it appeared unhealthy but on camera, it appeared remarkable. Kunis disclosed that it took her five months to achieve the weight loss but only five days to return to her normal weight after filming concluded.