Luke
stu-kicks
CibbuanoGet Fat = Get Recognition
September 11th 2006 12:03
It's become a bit of a tradition now... if you want to gain recognition for your 'acting' and how far you'll take your talent then all you have to do is gain weight. It could be your breakthrough. If you're already famous, it could even be your ticket to an Oscar. Here are some of the actors and actresses who have gorged themselves to success...
Robert De Niro's porking up for 'Raging Bull' (1980) is probably the most famous example. Taking 'the method' to such extremes was unheard of prior to this. Actors had put on weight for roles before, but never to this extent. De Niro put on around 27 kilograms. He would gain weight for a role again about 6 years later, to play Al Capone in 'The Untouchables'.
Ray Liotta put on 10 kilos to play the intimidating Henry Oak in 'Narc' (2002).
Vincent d'Onofrio put on around 32 kilograms to portray Private Pyle in 'Full Metal Jacket' (1987). At 6' 4" he is considerably taller than De Niro and hence doesn't look as fat despite having put more on. Our boy Vincent here holds the record for the most weight put on for a role.
Jared Leto recently bulked up to play John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman in upcoming film 'Chapter 27'. He put on about 28 kilos. After filming he switched to an all liquid diet and lost nearly 10 kilos in 10 days. He now apparently has gout.
Renee Zellweger put on weight for her role as Bridget Jones, twice. It was much publicised and praised... women won't usually put on weight if they can help it! She put on 10 kilos to play Bridget, which is the girl equivelent of about 20 kilos. I don't think 10 kilos on Zellweger is really all that noticeable, drastic, or unattractive in the slightest.
Toni Collette did what no other actress in Australia would do, and put on nearly 20 kilos to play the title character in 'Muriel's Wedding'. It ended up being her ticket to fame.
Eric Bana put on 14 kilos to play Australian criminal icon Chopper. Manly.
Stallone gained 15 kilos to play the timid, overweight sheriff of a small town in 'Copland'. He thought it would lead him to be taken seriously again but his performance was virtually ignored by the critics. Stallone regretted damaging his muscular figure.
Others...
- Russell Crowe put on 18 kilos to help make himself look older in 'The Insider'... it worked, he gained his first Oscar nomination.
- Sean Astin put on 15 kilos to play Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings films. When Peter Jackson called for reshoots he had lost most of the weight and was distraught to learn he had to put it back on again.
- George Clooney pu ton 15 kilos for his Oscar-winning role in 'Syriana'.
- Minnie Driver put on 10 kilos for her breakthrough role in 'Circle of Friends'.
Robert De Niro's porking up for 'Raging Bull' (1980) is probably the most famous example. Taking 'the method' to such extremes was unheard of prior to this. Actors had put on weight for roles before, but never to this extent. De Niro put on around 27 kilograms. He would gain weight for a role again about 6 years later, to play Al Capone in 'The Untouchables'.
Ray Liotta put on 10 kilos to play the intimidating Henry Oak in 'Narc' (2002).
Vincent d'Onofrio put on around 32 kilograms to portray Private Pyle in 'Full Metal Jacket' (1987). At 6' 4" he is considerably taller than De Niro and hence doesn't look as fat despite having put more on. Our boy Vincent here holds the record for the most weight put on for a role.
Jared Leto recently bulked up to play John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman in upcoming film 'Chapter 27'. He put on about 28 kilos. After filming he switched to an all liquid diet and lost nearly 10 kilos in 10 days. He now apparently has gout.
Renee Zellweger put on weight for her role as Bridget Jones, twice. It was much publicised and praised... women won't usually put on weight if they can help it! She put on 10 kilos to play Bridget, which is the girl equivelent of about 20 kilos. I don't think 10 kilos on Zellweger is really all that noticeable, drastic, or unattractive in the slightest.
Toni Collette did what no other actress in Australia would do, and put on nearly 20 kilos to play the title character in 'Muriel's Wedding'. It ended up being her ticket to fame.
Eric Bana put on 14 kilos to play Australian criminal icon Chopper. Manly.
Stallone gained 15 kilos to play the timid, overweight sheriff of a small town in 'Copland'. He thought it would lead him to be taken seriously again but his performance was virtually ignored by the critics. Stallone regretted damaging his muscular figure.
Others...
- Russell Crowe put on 18 kilos to help make himself look older in 'The Insider'... it worked, he gained his first Oscar nomination.
- Sean Astin put on 15 kilos to play Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings films. When Peter Jackson called for reshoots he had lost most of the weight and was distraught to learn he had to put it back on again.
- George Clooney pu ton 15 kilos for his Oscar-winning role in 'Syriana'.
- Minnie Driver put on 10 kilos for her breakthrough role in 'Circle of Friends'.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
What the reverse situation, Christian Bale in The Machinist? An astounding performance in a captivating film. Instead of gaining weight he lost 63 pounds (a record) and then had to put it back on within 6 weeks to start filming Batman Begins.
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Putting on weight is only good for your career if you can lose it again and look good.
Like Benicio Del Toro in Fear and Loathing!
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The acting doesnt seem to improve, just the cosmetics are more pleasing to the eye.
When an actor puts on the pound it seems to make them strive for a more subtle or layered performance style.
There are exceptions to the rule of course, sometimes being thin adds confidence that wasnt there originally.
Christian Bale in the Machinist was just so frightening I had to bring it up.
Plus the film is a great mystery that comes together nicely.
For those who havent seen it. Here are a few shots of Bale to put it in context.