Daniel Radcliffe has come a long way since his ‘Harry Potter’ days, acting in acclaimed dramas, fiction, and comedy movies in the last few years. But the big screen isn’t the only place where the former Hogwarts magician has been busy. In 2014, Radcliffe scored a role in ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan,’ a 2014 Broadway play based on Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy book by the same name.
In preparation for his role as a malnourished, disabled young orphan, Radcliffe managed to undergo an intense diet that had him looking pale, gaunt, and perfect for the role of Cripple Billy.
Gwyneth Paltrow Gained More Than 20 lbs. in 'Country Strong'
We all know Gwyneth Paltrow as a die-hard superfood and fitness advocate, which is why it was so surreal to see her as a curvy country songsinger in the 2010 film, 'Country Strong.' Paltrow plays Kelly Canter, a country music superstar and recovering alcoholic trying to find her way back to the top. For the role, the actress had to gain over 20 pounds - an experience she said she really didn't enjoy, saying the worst part was not being able to work out.
Shot in Nashville, Tennessee, the actress said there was no shortage of places to eat in order to put on weight. Paltrow apparently did enjoy eating crispy fried chicken slathered in gravy with some buttermilk biscuits on the side. And how could she not?! The blonde beauty said that she went back to an extreme workout and healthy food regime as soon as filming ended because she felt her "body was falling apart." It certainly looks like she managed to put it back together.
Mark Wahlberg Lost 40 lbs. of Body Mass for 'The Gambler'
Marky Mark made cinema history in 1997 when he played the star of Paul Thomas Anderson's classic film 'Boogie Nights.' With the countless movies he's starred in ever since, it's hard to pick the best performance, but one thing's for sure: his most incredible transformation was in the 2014 drama, 'The Gambler.' Playing a literature professor with a serious gambling addiction, Wahlberg had to lose 40 pounds!
The actor claimed that he was on a rigid six-week liquid diet that consisted of drinking 8 ounces of almond milk three times a day. "I was miserable because I like food," said Wahlberg in an interview with E!. And since the actor wasn't losing enough weight on the almond milk diet, he also had to exercise for three hours every day, after a 12-hour workday!
Steve Carell Waxed Off His Hair in 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'
Steve Carell is one of the most beloved and hilarious actors in Hollywood, and for good reason. When Carell commits to a role, he really commits. If you don't believe it, just ask famous comedy director Judd Apatow, who has a nice little story to tell about his friend. Now, this may not be a story of insane weight loss or gain, but it is a far more painful body transformation.
Surely, you remember the legendary comedy classic, 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin.' This 2005 film became an instant favorite, with many of its scenes having viewers crying with laughter. One of those scenes was the famous waxing scene, where Carell is taken to a waxing salon before his date with Catherine Keener. Those bald hair patches and the agonizing screams were absolutely real! Apatow and Carell wanted the scene to be as authentic as possible, so the actor actually went ahead with it!
Beyonce Lost 20 lbs. in Two Weeks for 'Dreamgirls'
Queen Bey is the envy of women all around the world for her beautiful figure, and she has always been a proud defender of her curves. However, when the producers of 2006's musical drama, 'Dreamgirls' decided to cast Beyonce as the film's main character, they made it clear they were looking for a more thin, slender type of look.
Beyonce recalls that "they wanted a Diana Ross-type look for the character," and she was so invested in playing the part that she decided to go for it. Thanks to a strict juice fast, called 'The lemonade diet,' Beyonce lost 20 pounds in just two weeks. The cleanse diet, as the actress explained on Oprah, consists of only drinking organic juices for 10 days and not eating any solid foods.