John Goodman recalls refusing to do a nude scene in “The Righteous Gemstones” because of his drastic weight loss transformation.
“I thought I was going to have to be naked. I said, ‘I don’t know. I’m doing well. My body is so damaged from losing all this weight,” the 74-year-old actor said on Monday’s episode of Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast.
Goodman, who had a recurring role on the HBO show from 2019 to 2025, explained that he chose to “ignore” the public debate over his 200-pound weight loss.
“Since I’m in this business, it’s fair game — to a point,” the “Roseanne” alum said.
Goodman, who weighed nearly 400 pounds at his peak weight, admitted that he was “still trying to get used to my face” following his physical transformation.
“It’s weird,” he said. “I look at myself as a path forward, and then I look at myself (and think), ‘Oh, wow.’”
Goodman added: “It’s strange. It’s fun to get used to. It’s a lot of things to get used to.”
The “Digger” actor, despite being reserved and busy in Hollywood, also acknowledged that his weight likely had an impact on his career early on.
“I’m sure it is. And I think a lot of it might be self-sabotage,” he shared.
Goodman then recalled that when he started in the industry, he weighed around 225 pounds and was “in good shape” after running outside in New York every day.
“I was working enough as I was,” he said. “I wasn’t crazy about it, but I wonder if I probably sabotaged myself.”
In a new interview with the Sunday Times, Goodman admitted he still hasn’t gotten used to his slimmer body.
“I still feel like a big guy, but it’s nice to be able to go to regular clothing stores and buy things,” he told the outlet.
He also said he “has to force himself” to go to the gym, adding: “If it was just me, I’d avoid it.”
The “Conners” actor detailed his weight loss journey in recent years, revealing that he hired a personal trainer, cut out sugar from his diet and started exercising six days a week.
“I know it sounds silly, but it was a waste,” he told People in 2010 of his couch potato days. “It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your butt and figure out what you’re going to eat next.”
“I wanted to live better,” he added.
Goodman proudly showed off her weight loss on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Smurfs” last year.
He showed off his slim figure again at the “Digger” premiere in September, wearing a black suit with a striped shirt and gray tie.
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