Over a decade ago, John Goodman underwent a remarkable body transformation that continues to astonish his fans, showcasing his significantly slimmer physique.
The renowned actor, known for his roles in acclaimed films such as “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “The Big Lebowski,” was rumored to have reached a weight of approximately 400 pounds.
However, recent photographs captured at the 2023 Monte Carlo TV Festival in Monaco over the weekend unmistakably reveal that Goodman has shed an astounding amount of weight, with some sources estimating a loss of 200 pounds.
John Goodman displayed his impressive weight loss at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco, where he served as jury president (Credit: David Niviere / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
The jury president for the 2023 Monte Carlo TV Festival made a striking appearance, bearing little resemblance to the persona he gained fame portraying as Dan Conner on the beloved television series “Roseanne.”
John Goodman Reveals Plans to Reestablish a Routine, Including Boxing Training
In a June 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, John said he wants to return to a routine.
“I’m trying to squeeze all the medical s*** in that I’ve missed over those years,” he told the outlet.
John adds that he kept up by “just getting out and walking the dogs. I was boxing up until then [my Broadway role] and I haven’t been able to do that since Covid because I’m lazy.”
“I haven’t been exercising, but I’m going to start a routine again this summer where I can get some stuff done. I’ve just let everything go just because I haven’t had the energy because of the jobs,” he shared.
John has a plan, though, to get back into boxing. “I dug that. I dug it. Yeah. Nobody’s going to get hurt, but it’s just hitting the mitts and trying to learn,” he shared.
“Just hitting the mitts. I never got good enough where I would trust myself to spar because once I get whacked in the face, I don’t know if I wouldn’t lose it.”
(L-R) Fiction Jury members Marcus Ammon, Camilla Rydbacken, John Goodman, Sara Mortensen, Shane West, Frank Spotnitz, and Francesca Chillemi during the opening red carpet during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 16, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco (Credit: David Niviere / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
He adds he’s looking to learn more about boxing beyond just that: “Someday I’d like to get that far advanced. But it’s usually just an hour, hour and a half of hitting the mitts, hitting the bags, learning footwork. It’s great.”
John Goodman is one of the rare actors who has managed to create memorable film experiences for nearly everyone who has seen his TV shows or movies.
The 71-year-old actor has over 160 credits to his name and has done it all, from working with the Coen brothers to voice acting in Disney films. Goodman’s extensive filmography includes notable titles such as Roseanne, Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Monsters, Inc.
John Goodman before his weight loss at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival (Credit: WENN)
To put it plainly, John Goodman is an instantly recognizable Hollywood legend.
Fans were shocked to witness the actor’s trademark large silhouette had become noticeably smaller after losing roughly 100 pounds.
According to Goodman, his weight loss journey was not easy, but it was a long time coming. John Goodman realized it was time to make a change.
How did John Goodman lose weight?
Since his prolific acting career began, Goodman has been quickly recognized for his size, becoming part of his persona. His shape and identity helped him land so many of the iconic roles he is now well known for.
However, a few years after Roseanne finished its final season, Goodman realized that his weight was becoming a risk to his health and that he needed to turn his life around.
Actors Roseanne and John Goodman attend the DVD launch of “Roseanne: Season One” on July 18, 2005, at Lucky Strike Bowling Centre in Los Angeles, California (Credit: David Livingston / WENN)
In 2010, Goodman participated in an interview with David Letterman, revealing that this realization came when he was “pushing 400 pounds… somewhere up around there.”
The actor had lost weight before, but these efforts became a vicious cycle. In an interview with ABC News in 2016, he said, “In the old days, I would take three months out, lose 60 or 70 pounds, and then reward myself with a six-pack or whatever and just go back to my old habits.”
“I was just shoving everything into my mouth,” the actor said in a 2018 interview with AARP. “But I don’t want to be an example to anybody when the weight comes thundering back on — when I start eating Crisco out of the can with a spoon and a side of confectioner’s sugar.”
John Goodman with his wife Anna Beth Goodman and his daughter Molly Evangeline Goodman (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
When it became clear to Goodman that the way he was handling things would not work out in the long run, he had to turn away from his unsavory habits to become the healthy person he wanted to be. He had had enough of his unhealthy lifestyle, saying in 2016, “I just got sick and tired of looking at myself.”
John Goodman’s Mediterranean diet
With the help of Goodman’s personal trainer, Mackie Shilstone, he identified the diet best for achieving a healthier lifestyle.
The Mediterranean diet, which personal trainer Shilstone says is “mostly plant-based, a lower intake of red meat, lots of fruits and vegetables, and highly driven by olive oil,” allowed Goodman to eat food that tasted good and was good for him.
Of course, Goodman’s impressive weight loss was supplemented by lots of exercise. The actor told Men’s Health, “I wanted to treat this other thing [exercise] like a job — to get healthy.”
John Goodman has lost more than 100 pounds by implementing a healthier diet and exercise regime (Credit: WENN / Nikki Nelson / FayesVision)
Goodman lived up to those words, as he now works out six days a week. He starts his morning with 40 minutes of cardio, then does another 40 minutes in the afternoon and intermittently adds strength training into the mix.
Goodman says that regular exercise does far more than help shed the pounds. In an interview with Peter Travers, the actor said, “I’m getting to the age where I can’t afford to sit still anymore. [Exercise] gives me the energy to work, because work is very draining.”
How did John Goodman tackle his alcoholism?
Even more detrimental than unhealthy food and exercise habits, Goodman had been struggling with an addiction to alcohol for years. His addiction was so advanced that he was even drinking on set for Roseanne.
“My speech would be slurred; I thought I was fooling people,” the actor admitted in 2018. “My cheeks would turn bright red when I was liquored up. I just looked like a stop sign.”
It was not easy for Goodman to admit he had a problem. He says he did not reach out for help until 2007, after winning an Emmy award for his role in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip — Goodman very nearly did not make it to the awards ceremony.
Whitney Cummings, Michael Fishman, John Goodman, Jayden Rey, Roseanne Barr, Sara Gilbert, Sarah Chalke, and Emma Kenney attend the premiere of ABC’s “Roseanne” at Walt Disney Studio Lot on March 23, 2018, in Burbank, California (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
“I had to go accept an Emmy award,” Goodman said in 2017. “I missed the rehearsal because I was drunk. And then by the time Sunday morning rolled around I was shaking; I was still drinking, but I was still shaking. I had the clarity of thought that I needed to be hospitalized. I called my wife, which was like turning myself into the Gestapo. And she made some phone calls; we got me into a treatment center, and I detoxed there and decided I liked the feeling. And it’s been 10 years.”
Goodman regularly attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and the 12 Step Program helped him stay on the straight and narrow. Without his alcohol addiction hindering every aspect of Goodman’s life, everything became a bit easier for the actor — including losing weight.
“I think you’re trying to fill a hole that can’t be filled unless it’s filled with goodness or some kind of spirituality — not to say religion,” Goodman explained. “But instead of filling it with booze or cocaine or food, you just acknowledge that it’s there. You can’t fill it, and you go on.”
Roseanne as the titular matriarch and John Goodman as Dan Conner (Credit: ABC)
In 2018, Goodman reprised his role as Dan Conner in the Roseanne reboot, The Conners, as a slimmed-down version of his original character. Goodman has lost 100 pounds, remained sober for over a decade, and his career is still going swimmingly. Great job, Goodman!
Brie Larson and her “Kong: Skull Island” co-star John Goodman never had any speaking lines together in the film, but that didn’t stop them from forging a friendship off-camera.
Brie Larson supported her Kong: Skull Island co-star John Goodman at his Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
The two became such great friends that John asked Brie to give a speech about him at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Brie Larson wears a Cushnie et Ochs dress, Jimmy Choo shoes, Maya Brenner earrings, and an Irit Designs ring in Hollywood on March 11, 2017 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
The Tanner Hall actress looked pristine in a white long-sleeved Cushnie et Ochs dress, embellished with asymmetrical fringes at the skirt and opened up at the back to show a bit of skin.
Brie Larson rocked towering denim stiletto heels from Jimmy Choo (Credit: WENN)
The controversial celebrity gave a touching speech about how she and John were partners in crime, traveling to three countries together while shooting “Kong: Skull Island.”
Brie Larson shows off her feet in faux denim Jimmy Choo “Lucy” pumps (Credit: WENN)
Brie said John was always game to try new things, including a daunting roller coaster ride and shopping for a shirt for John in Vietnam.
Brie Larson poses with her “Kong: Skull Island” co-stars Tom Hiddleston and John Goodman (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
The Community actress finished her look with minimal jewelry and displayed her feet in faux denim Jimmy Choo “Lucy” pumps.
Brie Larson gives a speech on behalf of her good friend, John Goodman (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
Brie also complimented the actor by saying his work brings truth and honesty into the world. The actress also said that the star is a beautiful reminder of his accomplishments in Hollywood.
John Goodman’s The Big Lebowski co-star Jeff Bridges also supported his friend at the ceremony.
“He’s a good actor, he’s a good man, John Goodman,” Bridges said dressed in his Lebowski character’s signature knit sweater.
The Big Lebowski co-stars Jeff Bridges and John Goodman (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
“He’s one of us, he loves the outdoors and acting. As a showman, he has explored the stages from Los Angeles to New York — we’re talking Broadway here, man — he’s done some weird little movies, too. And he’s lived, like so many men in prior generations have lived their lives. He is a man of his times, a man of our times, and he has become a legend.”
“In accordance with what we think may be your final wishes, we have committed to these sidewalks in Hollywood — in the bosom of Hollywood that you love so well — a star. A star for you, a star because we love you so well … what time is it? Afternoon? Good afternoon, sweet prince,” Bridges concluded his speech.
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