Jesse Plemons On Gaining Weight For A Role: “It Did Mess Me Up”

Jesse Plemons is opening up about how gaining weight for a role more than a decade ago affected both his career and personal life. The 36-year-old actor revealed in a new interview with The Independent that putting on weight for his role as Kevin Weeks in 2015’s Black Mass changed the way he was perceived in Hollywood.

“I never imagined getting to play a part like that,” Jesse said about the Scott Cooper-directed film starring Johnny Depp. “[Gaining weight] was a decision I made at that age, given that opportunity – and I was playing a real person. I don’t regret it. But it was very easy to put the weight on and much more difficult taking it off.”

He admitted that the experience took a toll on him. “I don’t know if it’s something I would do again — because it did mess me up a bit.” Jesse shared that the decision to gain weight dictated the kinds of roles he was offered, and over time, it started influencing his own identity. According to him, that “wasn’t necessarily who I was before that.” 

His perspective shifted when he was cast in 2024’s Civil War. The role motivated him to lose weight through fasting and lifestyle changes, helping him regain control. Aside from the role, having young kids also helped him snap “out of it.” 

“And I just got a handle on it again. Having lost the weight, aside from feeling better, it does feel like I’ve opened another door to potential parts I can play,” he shared.

Jesse, who shares two sons, Ennis, 6, and James, 3, with his wife Kirsten Dunst, previously joked that it was “really unfortunate” he decided to get healthy at the same time everyone turned to Ozempic. His fitness journey wasn’t about appearance but rather his age and the demands of his Civil War role. “I lost a little bit before I did that part,” he told the L.A. Times, adding that intermittent fasting was surprisingly effective for him.

Now, Jesse is starring in Netflix’s Zero Day alongside Angela Bassett, Connie Britton, and Robert De Niro. The show follows a former U.S. president trying to track down those responsible for a massive cyber attack that caused chaos and fatalities. Working with De Niro, 81, is still a surreal experience for Jesse. “It’s one of those things I never even thought to dream about,” he said. “He’s one of the best actors of all time. Those few scenes I had with him in The Irishman, I was doing just everything I could to not freak out.”