Actors Who Gained the Most Weight for a Role

Transformations for film and TV sometimes go far beyond costumes and makeup. A number of performers have taken on major weight gain as part of building a character, often on tight timelines and with careful monitoring to stay safe while doing it. The changes below show how far actors have gone to match a real person’s body, portray a life stage, or convey a character’s habits.

These dramatic shifts usually involve structured nutrition plans, frequent check ins with medical professionals, and training designed to add mass without injury. Many of these actors later reversed course with supervised programs to return to baseline once production wrapped, which is a reminder that these body changes are planned, temporary, and handled with support.

Vincent D’Onofrio

For ‘Full Metal Jacket’, Vincent D’Onofrio reportedly put on about 70 pounds to play the recruit Leonard “Gomer Pyle” Lawrence. He reached the higher weight before principal photography so the physicality on screen would read as authentic during boot camp sequences and close ups. The change affected his speed and balance on set, which helped match the character’s struggles during training.

He has said that regaining fitness afterward took months with a careful plan. The quick increase in mass required patience to unwind, which he approached with focused conditioning and a return to a more moderate diet once filming finished.

Jared Leto

To portray Mark David Chapman in ‘Chapter 27’, Jared Leto gained roughly 60 to 70 pounds. He used a high calorie diet designed to add weight fast so his face and frame would match available photographs from the period. The transformation made routine movement more taxing, which aligned with the unhurried way the character carries himself in the film.

After production he transitioned to a controlled program to reduce weight safely. The process underscored the difference between short term gains made for a role and the slower, supervised approach required to reverse that change without harming long term health.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro added about 60 pounds for ‘Raging Bull’ to portray Jake LaMotta later in life. He shot the boxing sequences at a leaner weight first, then paused production to spend several weeks focused on eating and resting so the body change would be clear when the story moved to LaMotta’s post ring years.

Returning to normal took a dedicated plan. He worked with trainers to reintroduce conditioning while shifting to lower calorie meals, which helped him recover stamina and avoid injuries that can come with quick swings in body mass.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale increased his weight by around 40 pounds to play Dick Cheney in ‘Vice’. He coordinated with a nutrition team to add mass in a controlled way while also altering posture and movement to reflect the character’s mannerisms. He paired the weight change with hair and makeup work so the full transformation read convincingly on camera.

When filming ended he followed a structured reduction plan. He has described spacing meals differently, adjusting macros, and returning to steady cardio so his energy levels would come back up as his weight came down at a manageable pace.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron gained close to 50 pounds for ‘Tully’ to capture a sleep deprived mother of three with realism. She changed her daily eating schedule to keep calories consistent and prioritized foods that would show up on screen as everyday choices. The extra weight affected how she moved and how clothes fit, which supported the film’s portrayal of postpartum life.

She later spoke about how the rapid change influenced her mood and energy, which took time to stabilize. She returned to regular training and a measured diet to reset, highlighting how important professional guidance is during both gain and loss phases.

Russell Crowe

For ‘Body of Lies’, Russell Crowe added more than 50 pounds to play an older, office bound intelligence official. He achieved the change through frequent meals and a less active routine during the preparation window, which let his face fill out and his posture shift in ways that matched the character’s lifestyle.

After filming he eased back into exercise with low impact work and nutrition adjustments. The gradual approach helped avoid the fatigue and soreness that can come with trying to undo a large gain too quickly.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey put on about 45 to 50 pounds for ‘Gold’. He leaned into calorie dense foods and reduced training so the added weight would show in his midsection and face, which fit a character living on the road and eating without structure.

Once the shoot wrapped he worked with a trainer to reintroduce movement and restore baseline numbers. He emphasized sleep and hydration during the process, which supported steady progress while he shifted back to normal routines.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone gained around 40 pounds for ‘Cop Land’ to play a small town sheriff whose fitness had slipped. He adjusted his diet to prioritize caloric surplus and minimized intense workouts so the results would read clearly on screen, especially in uniform.

He later returned to a conditioning program to prepare for other projects. The plan relied on gradual calorie reductions along with strength and mobility work to protect joints after the heavier period.

Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill put on significant weight for ‘War Dogs’, with reports around 40 pounds. He used frequent meals and limited training so his face and frame would fit the character’s lifestyle and confidence. The change supported costuming and posture choices that helped land the role’s physical presence.

He afterward transitioned to steady dietary adjustments, adding structured workouts and tracking habits to reduce weight responsibly. He has discussed working with professionals to make those changes sustainable beyond a single project.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy added roughly 30 to 40 pounds for ‘Bronson’. He focused on high calorie eating and simple bodyweight training so his muscles would look dense and thick on camera, matching the real Charles Bronson’s imposing shape. He also studied photographs and video to mirror stance and movement while carrying the extra mass.

When production ended he shifted to a maintenance plan and then a reduction plan, cutting calories and increasing conditioning. The staged approach helped him protect joints and tendons after weeks of moving at a heavier weight.

Renée Zellweger

Renée Zellweger gained about 30 pounds for ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’, then repeated a similar gain for ‘Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason’. She followed a calorie surplus that included frequent snacks and comfort foods so her face and figure aligned with the character’s look. Wardrobe and hair were built around that body shape to maintain continuity across scenes.

She returned to baseline later with supervised nutrition and training. The swings highlighted how planned and temporary these changes are and how much coordination is needed between performer, costume, and makeup teams.

George Clooney

George Clooney gained around 30 pounds for ‘Syriana’ to portray a veteran field operative who had been living a less active lifestyle. The added weight changed his gait and how clothing draped, which supported the character’s years in the field and time behind a desk.

He recovered afterward by gradually reintroducing cardio and strength work along with portion control. The slower timeline lowered the risk of injury and helped restore energy as his weight normalized.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg put on roughly 30 pounds for ‘Father Stu’ in a short window. He used high calorie shakes along with frequent meals to meet daily targets and coordinated with medical professionals to track markers throughout the process.

After filming he reversed course with a plan that cut calories in stages while adding steady training. He emphasized consistency over quick results so the change would be healthy and sustainable.

Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell gained about 40 to 45 pounds for ‘The Lobster’. He ate calorie dense foods and avoided intense exercise so the added weight would show in his face and midsection, which supported the film’s offbeat tone and the character’s low key routine.

He later returned to regular training and normal eating patterns. The steady pace helped him rebuild conditioning without straining after several weeks of living at a higher weight.

Eric Bana

Eric Bana added roughly 30 pounds for ‘Chopper’ to portray Mark “Chopper” Read. He increased calories and dialed back cardio so his frame and face would match widely circulated images of the real figure, which gave the performance visual credibility from the first scenes.

Once the shoot ended he tapered calories and worked back into a balanced program. The approach helped him return to his typical build while keeping energy stable during the transition.

Share the transformations you remember most in the comments so everyone can compare notes on the most dramatic weight gain performances.