15 Actors That Went From Skinny To Ripped For Their Roles

Photo credit: United Artists

8. Robert De Niro (Raging Bull)

Here’s the flipside to De Niro’s Oscar-winning performance—before he gained the equivalent of a small child to play Jake LaMotta in his darkest, fattest hours, the New York native got completely shredded to play the Italian middleweight pugilist in his prime.

But De Niro didn’t just hit the treadmill to achieve this look. The “GoodFellas” star underwent a full-on training routine, working closely with the real-life LaMotta on every facet of a boxer’s regiment.

In fact, De Niro was so dedicated to becoming a convincing brawler, he actually competed in three organized bouts, winning two. LaMotta was so impressed with De Niro’s dedication, he claimed the actor could have fought professionally if he wished.

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