20 A-list actors who dramatically altered their looks for a film role

Christian Bale turned into a completely different person for his role in The Machinist. The Oscar winner lost over 60 pounds for the film, using cigarettes and whiskey as his main weight-loss method. 

Rather than lose weight again, Christian Bale gained over 40 pounds for his work in American Hustle. The star experienced some major physical side effects from the weight gain. 

Many actresses opt to wear padding when playing a role that requires weight gain, but not Renée Zellweger. The star gained about 30 pounds for her work in Bridget Jones’s Diary. Zellwegger did, however, use padding the next time she had to make such a transformation. 

Who knew 50 Cent was such a dedicated actor? The star lost over 50 pounds for his work in All Things Fall Apart. 50 portrayed a football player suffering from a genetic disease, and boy did he look the part. 

Not every actor’s physical transformation left them looking scary. Kumail Nanjiani got absolutely shredded for his role in Eternals. The star put in tons of work to completely transform his body to look like an actual superhero. 

Anne Hathaway was magnificent in Les Misérables, but it came at the cost of 25 fewer pounds and a shaved head. Hathaway has since said how she went about losing weight in an unhealthy way, but she did win an Oscar, so at least she has that to show for it.

Hugh Jackman has done the same work as Kumail Nanjiani multiple times. The Aussie star has gotten jacked for his work as Wolverine since taking on the role in the late ‘90s. Any actors who want advice on putting on muscle for a role should talk to Jackman. 

Men aren’t the only ones getting in insane shape for movie roles. Brie Larson did the same thing for her work in Captain Marvel. It’s no small feat getting cast in a Marvel movie, and getting cast is just the beginning of the hard work. 

No one can say Matthew McConaughey isn’t dedicated to his work. The Texas native completely transformed his body for Dallas Buyers Club by losing nearly 50 pounds to play a man diagnosed with AIDS. McConaughey took home an Oscar for his role in the film. 

Jared Leto transformed himself for Dallas Buyers Club, too. Leto lost about 30 pounds and waxed off nearly all of his hair, including his eyebrows. The actor could’ve claimed a completely different identity during filming. Leto got an Oscar for his work in the film, too. 

Jared Leto went in the opposite direction with his physical transformation for Chapter 27. The actor gained nearly 70 pounds for the role, and it made it difficult for him to move at times. 

David Harbour lost 75 pounds ahead of the fourth season of Stranger Things. He then had to turn around and gain enough weight to play Santa Claus in the film Violent Night. The actor has since stated that he doesn’t intend to make such drastic changes to his appearance again. 

Charlize Theron looked unrecognizable in Monster. The actress, known for her great beauty, gained about 30 pounds for the role, and the use of prosthetics and some good (bad) makeup did the rest. The transformation was worth it because Theron got an Oscar for her efforts. 

Seriously, it’s no joke being in a Marvel movie. When the late Chadwick Boseman signed on for Black Panther, he also signed on to become ripped. The late star did just that and got into what had to be the best shape of his life for the role. 

Hilary Swank didn’t get in shape for a Marvel movie, but she may as well have. For her work in Million Dollar Baby, Swank became a machine. The star gained nearly 20 pounds of muscle, and when awards season came around, she ended it by earning her second Academy Award. 

Chris Hemsworth is known for his great physique, but he took on a new shape for In the Heart of the Sea. The actor lost over 30 pounds to look the part of someone out at sea. 

Anyone who’s played the Joker in the past can attest to the amount of preparation it takes to perform such a role. Joaquin Phoenix took on a physical transformation by losing over 50 pounds for the titular role. And guess what he won for his work? Yep, an Oscar. 

Rooney Mara’s transformation for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo didn’t require an astounding weight loss, but she did shave her head, get multiple piercings, and bleach her eyebrows for the role. Mara didn’t win an Oscar, but she did get nominated for her work. 

If you didn’t know it was Michael Fassbender in Hunger, you might not recognize him. The star lost over 40 pounds for the role, and he had some people in the medical field very concerned for his health. 

In retrospect, Demi Moore is almost associated with her G.I. Jane look, but at the time, it was a major transformation. The star gained weight for the role and famously shaved her head.