Actors frequently will do just about anything to look right for a role. Gain and lose weight, wear a wig or fake mustache, slather their face with gobs of makeup, you name it. The resulting transformation can be a showstopper. Think of classic examples like Marlon Brando in The Godfather and Robert De Niro in Raging Bull. Both actors won Academy Awards for their stunning performances in those films. Their greatly altered appearance contributed to the overall dramatic impact.
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But that kind of major Hollywood-style metamorphosis can have exact a big price. It may impact a person's health in the long run. Billy Bob Thornton of Landman has had quite enough of that. At 70, he knows that his body is not as resilient as it once was. He's apparently shunning the physical extremes he formerly indulged in solely for the sake of authenticity in acting roles.
Thornton Talked About the Subject With Seth Meyers
Thornton plays Tommy Norris on the runaway hit TV series Landman. He was a guest recently on Late Night with Seth Meyers. They chatted about what actors will readily do to themselves for roles - and what Thornton used to do as well.
He put his body through a lot. For films such as Tombstone and U Turn, Thornton said he gained 60 pounds. For another movie, Pushing Tin, he got down to a super-slender 128 pounds. He said bluntly, "I stopped doing that." So it's no more yo-yo diets for him.
He Has Sworn off Meddling With His Weight
The Sling Blade actor observed, "...[W]hen you're a younger actor, you're like, 'Well, I'm going to gain 75 pounds for this, and the next time I'm going to do this,' and whatever, 'I'll cut my own cheek,' you know, that kind of thing. After a while, as you get older, you stop doing that stuff." Now, Thornton said he weighs about 143, 144 pounds. He's sinewy but healthy. And definitely not fad dieting or packing on the pounds anymore simply for the demands of a role.
Billy Bob Thornton has had a huge career boost with his Landman part. He is ideal as Tommy. And fans across America are loving every minute of his riveting portrayal.
