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10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

Actors often have to change their appearance for a role - grow their beard or hair, add or lose a few pounds... Some roles, however, require drastic changes, particularly if the character needs a washboard stomach and bulging biceps! And to become a rippling mass, these actors need to religiously hit the gym and transform their diets if they're going to earn their 'muscular' paycheck...

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Here are 10 actors who had to radically change their bodies in their quest to become an on-screen Adonis.

1. Zac Efron

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Lifetime Television © BWP Media/East News

As a teenager, Zac Efron was cute, but not a muscle man. When he got offered a role in Baywatch, he had to start body building in order to look like a professional life guard. He was fortunate to have a helping hand from Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock, who helped him work out in between scenes.

2. Chris Pratt

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© starsurf/Splash News © Everett Collection/East News

In order to play a lead in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, Chris Pratt lost over 60lbs in 6 months and saw his pudgy midriff turn into a washboard stomach! Whether he decides to keep his svelte form is yet to be seen...

3. Paul Rudd

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Universal Pictures © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Like Chris Pratt, Paul Rudd was more of a couch and slippers kind of guy, but when he was cast in the action movie Ant-Man, he had to quickly get into shape. Rudd had to follow a strict diet and exercise routine for a year in order to get the super hero body required for the role.

4. Mark Wahlberg

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Broad Image/East News © BWP Media/East News

Wahlberg was cast as one of a trio of bodybuilders in Pain & Gain, meaning he had to start lifting weights. Luckily for him The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) was a co-star and ideal work-out buddy. Since then Wahlberg has cooled down on the exercise front, but he's still managed to fight the flab and keep his muscular physique.

5. Chris Evans

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© 20th Century Fox © Paramount Pictures

Chris Evans is one of the finest super hero actors, but although he was always fit, he needed to bulk up in order to play Captain America. The actor followed a strict diet that comprised of several meals a day and worked out every time he had a break between scenes.

6. Ryan Reynolds

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Artisan Entertainment © 20th Century Fox

Reynolds was determined to muscle up for his role in Deadpool and would get up at 4am every day in order to work out. He radically changed his diet and the results were visible when we saw his mercenary character on the big screen.

7. Kevin Hart

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Florene Herma © Kevin Hart

A well-known comedian who also courted controversy, Hart's muscles grew at the same speed as his celebrity status. He says that sport helped him to evolve as a person and his challenges included running marathons. Today, he takes time to keep in shape, not in order to bag roles, but because it helps him to feel better about himself.

8. Jake Gyllenhaal

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Universal Pictures © The Weinstein Company

Jake Gyllenhaal's always been a cute guy, but when he was cast as a boxing champion in Southpaw he needed to look the part. He was so determined that he asked his trainers to up his exercise routine from 3 to 6 hours a day! The result? A divine body, but a less divine love life as his girlfriend subsequently left him!

9. Hugh Jackman

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© 20th Century Fox © 20th Century Fox

Wolverine got sexier with each installment, thanks to Jackman's disciplined approach to his role! He followed a strict diet, giving up alcohol and sugar in the process. Calorie-wise he ate a lot of the right foods and would not drink a single thing for 2 days before shooting his bare-chested scenes so that his muscles would look even more defined.

10. J. K. Simmons

Illustration de l'article : 10 actors who had to drastically bulk up for a role

© Warner Bros. Television © Aaron Williamson

J. K. Simmons set the internet on fire when fans suddenly noticed that his couch potato body had been transformed into a mass of muscles. Working out became a passion when he landed roles in Terminator Genisys and Justice League. Today, at 62 years old, he still has muscles that would turn many a young actor green with envy!