Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink' (2024)

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Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink' (1)

Noam Galai /Getty Images and Dallas Buyers Club
  • The actor Matthew McConaughey said he ate nothing but vegetables, egg whites, fish, and tapioca pudding to lose weight for his role as Ron Woodroof, a stage 4 HIV/AIDS patient, in "Dallas Buyers Club."
  • During an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," he said he dropped 50 pounds in five months eating his special diet and drinking "all the wine" he wanted.
  • McConaughey also said he didn't exercise during the five-month period, dropping from his usual 188 pounds to 135 pounds.
  • "It was my responsibility," McConaughey added. "If I looked how I look now and played Ron Woodroof from 'Dallas Buyers Club,' you are out of the movie the first frame."
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink' (2)

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Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink' (3)

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The "Dallas Buyers Club" actor Matthew McConaughey has shared how he lost 50 pounds for the role.

His unusual approach involved eating nothing but fish, egg whites, tapioca pudding — and "as much wine as I wanted to drink."

"I did not torture myself. I was militant. The hardest part was making the damn choice," McConaughey said on an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," which aired on October 22.

McConaughey played Ron Woodroof, a man who was diagnosed with stage 4 HIV/AIDS in the mid-1980s.

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The actor told Rogan he wanted to lose all the weight to show the reality of living with advanced stages of HIV as he paid homage to Woodroof's life and legacy in detail.

"It was my responsibility," McConaughey said. "If I looked how I look now and played Ron Woodroof from 'Dallas Buyers Club,' you are out of the movie the first frame."

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McConaughey went from his usual 188 pounds to 135 pounds in five months.

The actor ate small amounts of fish, vegetables, tapioca pudding, and egg whites to stay trim and rarely exercised

The actor said he would eat 5 ounces of fish for lunch and dinner, small amounts of vegetables with each meal, and egg whites for breakfast. His daily treat would be a small amount of tapioca pudding.

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"I found tapioca pudding, and I found the tiniest little antique spoon in New Orleans, a little-bitty sugar spoon, and I would eat it with that so it would last longer," McConaughey told a crowd of reporters at the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Fish is commonly cited by dietitians as a lean source of protein helpful for people looking to lose weight. Vegetables are also considered one of the best weight-loss foods, as they are a low-calorie source of fiber and nutrients.

Jumping from the calorific diet McConaughey was likely eating to build muscle for his role in "Magic Mike" (which required washboard abs) earlier in the year to this low-calorie diet would also have dramatic results.

The actor also rarely exercised during his preparation for "Dallas Buyers Club," as it seemed to make no difference in his weight loss. Cutting out muscle-building workouts like lifting weights can decrease your muscle mass, leading to a drop in weight on the scale.

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"It didn't matter if I was going to the treadmill and burning 2,000 calories a day or not, 2.5 pounds a week," McConaughey said.

Read More:

10 celebrities who have lost more than 50 pounds — and how they did it

16 celebrities who say they've been pressured to lose weight in order to succeed in Hollywood

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19 actors who lost weight for movie roles

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Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink' (5)

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Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink' (2024)

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Matthew McConaughey said he lost 50 pounds for 'Dallas Buyers Club' on a diet of fish, tapioca pudding, and 'as much wine as I wanted to drink'? ›

The "Dallas Buyers Club" actor Matthew McConaughey has shared how he lost 50 pounds for the role. His unusual approach involved eating nothing but fish, egg whites, tapioca pudding — and "as much wine as I wanted to drink." "I did not torture myself. I was militant.

Did Matthew McConaughey lose a lot of weight for True Detective? ›

McConaughey took method acting to the max, losing over 30 lbs. for his AIDS patient character. Matthew McConaughey showed off the more muscular physique on the set of his new crime drama 'True Detectives' in New Orleans. McConaughey took method acting to the max, losing over 30 lbs.

How much weight did Jared lose for Dallas Buyers Club? ›

Jared Leto packed on 67 pounds to play John Lennon assassin Mark David Chapman. For his Oscar-winning role in Dallas Buyers Club (2013), Leto shed about 30 pounds to play the HIV-positive hustler Rayon.

How many kg did Matthew McConaughey lose for Dallas Buyers Club? ›

Additionally, he thought that the script was "incredibly human, with no sentimentality". McConaughey lost nearly 50 pounds (22 kilograms) of body weight to play Woodroof in the film. Jennifer Garner as Dr. Eve Saks, who treats people with AIDS, like Woodroof and Rayon.

How did Matthew McConaughey lose 50 pounds? ›

The actor Matthew McConaughey said he ate nothing but vegetables, egg whites, fish, and tapioca pudding to lose weight for his role as Ron Woodroof, a stage 4 HIV/AIDS patient, in "Dallas Buyers Club."

How true is Dallas Buyers Club? ›

Looking at the AIDS crisis from a different angle, it recounted the true-life story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), an electrician and occasional rodeo performer, who fought back against his HIV diagnosis by distributing unapproved medications.

Why did Bradley Cooper lose weight? ›

The transformation, though, was temporary. Soon after American Sniper wrapped, Cooper had to take the weight off for his next role, in which he plays a chef. “I shed about 6 kilograms in three weeks,” he says.

How does Matthew McConaughey stay fit? ›

According to an interview with Men's Journal, he'd go for a 20-minute run, turn around and do 10 sets 20 push-ups on the way back. That's 200 push-ups, people, enough to make anyone's chest muscles pop. Push-ups are one of the best compound exercises to grow bigger pecs and arms.

Why did Bob Hart lose so much weight? ›

NEEDED TO LOSE OVER 137 POUNDS AND LEAVE DIABETES BEHIND

When Robert Hart stopped smoking, the weight he'd accumulated in a 9-year weight battle became an issue. Tired of wearing exercise clothes in ever-increasing sizes, he started MOVE! on the advice of his VA doctor.

What did Matthew McConaughey get paid for Dallas Buyers Club? ›

A significant turning point in this career makeover was his choice to star in “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013) for a mere sum of less than $200,000. The movie later awarded him an Oscar, strengthening his position in Hollywood.

How do celebrities lose weight fast? ›

Across the board, the trifecta of proper diet, regular exercise, and good sleep—especially when supported by a team of experts—helps actors achieve their physique goals fast. “The closer you get to your goal, the more important nutrition is.

How much does Jared weigh now? ›

In November 2021, Fogle spoke out from prison for the first time, writing in a letter to the New York Post that he "royally screwed up" and that he runs 4 to 5 miles (6.4 to 8.0 km) per day and works out regularly while behind bars, claiming to weigh 180 pounds (82 kg).

What did Jared Leto eat to lose weight? ›

He ends the grocery run by professing his love for grits, a cornmeal porridge that can be made with plant-based milk. Now 51, Leto has followed a plant-based diet for decades, which he previously credited for helping him maintain his youthful looks.

How did Ron Woodroof survive? ›

Ron extended his life through a lot of alternative medicines which helped contain the symptoms of AIDS, but were not a cure." Winter notes, "Craig and Melisa found the right blend of accuracy - not only for the medical details, but for the legal and government issues that Ron faced.

What celebrities endorse the zone diet? ›

Jennifer Aniston is probably the Zone Diet's most famous devotee so it's not surprising that more people have taken an interest in what is now often called the Jennifer Aniston Diet. Demi Moore and Sandra Bullock are also famous Zone followers.

How did Joaquin lose weight? ›

To get into the character of Arthur Fleck, Phoenix lost 52 pounds for the role by eating a restrictive diet that was supervised by a doctor. Phoenix said the weight loss gave him a sense of control and the confidence to dig deep into the Joker's persona.

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