John Goodman declined a nude scene on HBO's 'The Righteous Gemstones' after his approximately 200-pound weight loss, the actor revealed on a podcast this week.
Goodman, 74, told Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he initially refused to strip down for the series, saying his body was 'too messed up losing all this weight.' Despite his reservations, Goodman said the production ultimately found a way to film the scene without requiring him to be naked.
The actor also opened up about the physical aftermath of his transformation, telling The New Yorker he developed anemia and lost a layer of fat under his skin, making him 'cold all the time.' Goodman, who previously weighed more than 400 pounds, said the constant cold sensitivity is one unexpected consequence of shedding roughly half his former body weight.
'I also turned anemic and lost a layer of fat under my skin, and I'm cold all the time,' Goodman explained.
Goodman's weight loss journey has been documented over several years. On 'The Righteous Gemstones,' he starred alongside Jennifer Nettles as Eli and Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, the patriarch and matriarch of a dysfunctional megachurch family. The HBO series ran for four seasons from 2019 to 2025.
Even as he adjusts to his new appearance, Goodman said he tries to tune out the commentary. 'I just ignore it,' he said. 'Since I'm in this business, it is fair game—up to a point.' He also admitted he is still getting used to his reflection, telling The Sunday Times: 'I still feel like a fat guy, but it's nice to be able to go into regular clothing stores and buy things.'
