Jesse Plemons recently shared his thoughts on gaining weight for a movie role over a decade ago and how that decision affected his career. In an interview, the 36-year-old actor discussed how playing the former mobster Kevin Weeks in the 2015 film “Black Mass” led to unexpected challenges.
Plemons explained that gaining weight for the role was a choice he made at that time for the chance to work with acclaimed director Scott Cooper and to portray a real person. He does not regret the decision, but he admits that the process of losing the weight afterward was much tougher than putting it on. He stated, “It was very easy to put the weight on, and much more difficult taking it off.”
Reflecting on how this choice changed his career, Plemons noted, “I felt like that decision I made sort of dictated the types of parts I was being asked to play.” This shift in his career led him to struggle with his identity, as he felt it was different from who he was before taking on that role.
As he prepared for his upcoming film “Civil War,” Plemons embarked on a health journey, losing weight through lifestyle changes and fasting. He explained that this shift was not just about looking good but also about feeling better overall. “Having lost the weight, it does feel like I’ve opened another door to potential parts I can play,” he expressed.
In addition to his professional transformation, Plemons, who is a father to two young sons, shared how his family also motivated him to embrace healthier habits. He noted that discussions about intermittent fasting contributed to his successful weight loss.
Currently, Plemons stars in Netflix’s “Zero Day,” alongside renowned actors Angela Bassett and Robert De Niro. He expressed how working with De Niro has been a dream come true, reminiscing about his earlier scenes with the legendary actor and feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
As he continues to navigate his career and personal life, Plemons remains open about the lessons learned from his journey in entertainment and health.
