Jesse Plemons Opens Up About Drastic Weight Gain for a Role: “It Did Mess Me Up a Bit”
Hollywood transformations are nothing new, but Jesse Plemons says his weight gain for a movie role left a lasting impact—and not in a good way. The Breaking Bad alum, known for his dedication to his craft, recently reflected on the physical toll he endured while preparing for a role. Though he claims he doesn’t regret it, he wouldn’t rush to do it again.
In a revealing interview with The Independent, Plemons spoke candidly about packing on the pounds for the 2015 crime drama Black Mass, in which he portrayed real-life mobster Kevin Weeks. At the time, the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“I never imagined getting to play a part like that,” he said. “[Gaining weight] was a decision I made at that age, given that opportunity for that director—and I was playing a real person. I don’t regret it. But it was very easy to put the weight on, and much more difficult taking it off. I don’t know if it’s something I would do again—because it did mess me up a bit.”
Plemons’ physical transformation also impacted his career. After Black Mass, the actor noticed he was being typecast into specific roles based on his appearance.
“I felt like that decision I made sort of dictated the types of parts I was being asked to play, and then started to seep into my own identity … which wasn’t necessarily who I was before that,” he shared.
Since then, Plemons has racked up an impressive résumé, appearing in major films like Killers of the Flower Moon, The Power of the Dog, Judas and the Black Messiah, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, The Irishman, Game Night, The Post, and Bridge of Spies.
“Being asked to play that character and being unable to see him at my current weight … that kind of snapped me out of it,” Plemons admitted. “As well as having young kids. And I just got a handle on it again. Having lost the weight, aside from feeling better, it does feel like I’ve opened another door to potential parts I can play.”
Of course, any major weight loss in Hollywood is bound to spark speculation, and Plemons wasn’t shielded from the rumor mill. The Kinds of Kindness actor previously addressed the buzz surrounding his transformation, particularly with the rise of Ozempic in the industry.
“It’s really unfortunate that I decided to get healthy when everyone decided to take Ozempic,” he told the Los Angeles Times last year. “It doesn’t matter, everyone’s going to think I took Ozempic anyways.”
According to Plemons, he lost the weight without drugs by fasting strategically. “Several people talked to me about intermittent fasting and I just gave it a shot and [was] surprised at how quickly it was effective,” he shared. “So I lost a little bit before I did that part and then felt like I was in the rhythm, I was feeling better, and something shifted in my head. I just sort of got a handle on it.”
Despite the challenges, Plemons remains committed to his craft. Whether gaining or losing weight, he continues to impress audiences with his ability to disappear into roles—no matter the size.
