For public figures, especially actors and celebrities, what matters most? Undoubtedly, it’s their image! However, there is a group of people who, for the sake of their on-screen characters, disregard their own image.

Take Charlize Theron, for example, who shaved her head and covered herself in dust for the movie “Mad Max.”

(Image from the movie “Mad Max”)

Beyond just “uglifying,” some take it a step further by getting “dirty.” For instance, in the film “The Revenant,” Leonardo DiCaprio literally crawled into a gutted, steaming horse carcass. The effort paid off, and DiCaprio eventually won the Best Actor award at the 88th Academy Awards for his role.

Rewards come to those who put in the effort! However, the most admirable are those actors who can fluctuate between gaining and losing weight for their roles, possessing an elastic-like physique.

1. Chris Pratt

Notable Works: “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Jurassic World,” “Passengers”

At the sight of this face, most Marvel fans probably think of “Star-Lord” first. In Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Chris Pratt portrayed the witty, somewhat narcissistic yet kind-hearted and loyal “Star-Lord” to perfection.

But what many Marvel fans may not know is that before his role as “Star-Lord,” Chris Pratt’s on-screen image was mostly similar to the “dumb-cute” characters.

Back in 2009, for the comedy series “Parks and Recreation,” Chris gained 60 pounds in just four months by indulging in high-calorie foods like chocolates, pasta, and ice cream, all in preparation for the role of a chubby character.

In 2010, Chris underwent a dramatic weight loss of 40 pounds by abstaining from sugar, carbs, and alcohol in just six weeks in order to play a role in the inspirational movie “Moneyball”.

However, his lean phase was short-lived, as by 2013, Chris weighed 300 pounds, causing him to lose the opportunity to star in “Avatar.” Nevertheless, for the casting of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Chris committed to at least four hours of daily exercise, quit smoking and drinking, and successfully shed 54 pounds in six months, sculpting a six-pack abdominal muscle.

2. Aamir Khan

Notable Works: “3 Idiots,” “Dangal,” “Secret Superstar”

Aamir Khan can be rightfully hailed as India’s “national treasure.” In the critically acclaimed masterpiece “Dangal,” Aamir played the main character at the ages of 19, 29, and 55.

During actual filming, Aamir prioritized shooting the scenes for the character at 19. Subsequently, to portray the dad at 55, Aamir Khan took a month to transform from a 152-pound muscular young man to a 214-pound middle-aged, greasy uncle (a weight gain of 56 pounds in a month).

After finishing the shooting of a 55-year-old dad, in preparation for the scenes at 29, Aamir spent five months on a carefully planned fitness and diet routine, successfully shedding 55 pounds.

Despite the makeup and CGI technology available at the time, the production team could have easily crafted Aamir Khan into the overweight, greasy image of a 55-year-old dad. However, the dedicated Aamir Khan felt that makeup and CGI could meet the visual requirements but not the physical and postural ones he had in mind.

3. Chris Hemsworth

Notable Works: “Thor” series, “The Avengers” series

In 2014, outstanding performance in “Thor: The Dark World” earned him the title of the world’s sexiest man in People magazine’s annual list.

To portray the role of Thor, Hemsworth underwent intense training and followed a scientifically designed diet, ultimately gaining weight to reach 214 pounds.

Two years after “Thor: The Dark World,” in 2013, to play a Formula 1 racer in “Rush” and fit into the extremely small cockpit of an F1 car, Hemsworth, already lean, lost 33 pounds in four months through extensive exercise and a diet consisting only of fruits and vegetables.

Following the completion of “Rush,” Hemsworth swiftly regained the weight and dived into the filming of “Thor: The Dark World.”

(The image is taken from the movie “In the Heart of the Sea”)

And that’s not all. After completing “Thor: The Dark World” in 2013, Chris Hemsworth portrayed a shipwrecked first mate who drifted at sea for 90 days in the movie “In the Heart of the Sea” in 2015, shedding an additional 14 pounds. Being able to undergo three weight fluctuations in just two years showcases incredible discipline and determination.

4. Russell Ira Crowe

Notable Works: “Gladiator,” “Cinderella Man,” “Les Misérables,” “A Beautiful Mind”

Oscar-winning actor Russell Ira Crowe made headlines when he was spotted at Sydney Airport in 2019. At the age of 55, Russell, for his role in the new movie “Unhinged,” where he played a stalker with a mental illness, gained over 55 pounds.

In fact, Russell has a history of transforming his image and physique for roles. As early as 2000, he voluntarily gained 40 pounds to portray a senior executive in the tobacco industry in the movie “The Insider.”

In 2016, for the film “The Nice Guys,” standing at 182 cm tall, Russell gained 53 pounds in less than eight months, surpassing 265 pounds in weight.

Besides “Unhinged,” in the Showtime series “The Loudest Voice,” Russell gained weight to portray the former chairman of Fox News.

Back in 2000, winning the Best Actor Oscar at the 73rd Academy Awards for “Gladiator,” Russell had an athletic physique.

In the 2005 film “Cinderella Man,” where he played a boxer, his physique became even more muscular. Russell’s wholehearted dedication to his craft earned him three consecutive Oscar nominations for Best Actor.

5. Charlize Theron

Notable Works: “Hancock,” “Monster,” “Snow White and the Huntsman”

In 2018, Charlize Theron gained over 49 pounds for her role in the film “Tully,” portraying a mother who just gave birth to three babies while dealing with postpartum obesity, all while juggling the responsibilities of caring for her little ones and educating her older children.

Watching her perfect figure, maintained through regular exercise, succumb to the ravages of various junk foods, turning into layers of fat, and witnessing her once flat stomach take on a “postpartum” appearance, was all part of the transformation.

During the weight gain process, Charlize immersed herself in the character, experiencing extreme depression, sadness, and the lack of confidence that comes with obesity, turning into the lead character of the film in advance.

Although Charlize successfully returned to her previous appearance after filming, the experience of successfully “gaining weight” this time is likely one she won’t easily forget!