John Goodman said his body is “too messed up” following his dramatic weight loss, explaining on a podcast why he balked at filming a nude scene for HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones.” Goodman, 74, made the comments on the Nov. 2 episode of Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast.
“I thought I was going to have to be naked. I said, ‘No. I’m good. My body is too messed up from losing all this weight,’” Goodman said on the podcast. The actor has lost about 200 pounds after weighing nearly 400 pounds at his heaviest, according to Page Six.
What Goodman Said About His Weight Loss
Goodman told Horowitz the physical transformation still feels unfamiliar to him. “I’m still trying to get used to my face,” he said, describing the experience as “weird” since he thinks of himself one way but looks different now.
The actor said there’s “a lot of stuff” he’s getting used to, though the adjustment hasn’t been immediate. He made a similar admission to British newspaper The Sunday Times in an interview published Oct. 31, saying his slimmer frame still doesn’t feel like his own. “I still feel like a fat guy,” Goodman told the paper.
What It Means For Fans
Goodman’s comments give fans an unfiltered look at how he views his own transformation rather than how the public perceives it. He said he tunes out the chatter about his weight, even as he acknowledged that the attention comes with the job.
“I just ignore it,” Goodman said. “Since I’m in this business, it is fair game, up to a point.”
As for staying in shape, Goodman admitted he has to force himself to work out. “If it was just me, I’d skip it,” he said.
Background
Goodman starred as megachurch patriarch Eli Gemstone on “The Righteous Gemstones” across all four seasons, from 2019 to 2025. When one scene looked like it would require him to appear naked, he pushed back, and the production ultimately found a way to film it without him stripping down.
What’s Next
Goodman has been cast in season 2 of Netflix’s “The Beast in Me,” where he’ll play Jack, the father of Claire Danes’ character, Aggie Wiggs, according to Variety and Deadline. Netflix renewed the series in September. No premiere date for the new season has been announced.
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