(VIDEO) John Goodman Shows Off 200-Pound Weight Loss in New Photo With David DeLuise Ahead of ‘Digger’ Role

Actor John Goodman is once again drawing attention for his dramatic physical transformation, appearing nearly unrecognizable in a new photograph shared this week alongside “Wizards of Waverly Place” actor David DeLuise, more than a decade into a weight loss journey that has now totaled roughly 200 pounds.

DeLuise posted the photo to his personal social media account on Aug. 6, showing the two actors standing side by side, both looking toward the camera with the morning grocery section of a supermarket visible in the background. Goodman appeared noticeably slimmer than in many of his past film and television roles, prompting a wave of surprised reactions from fans online.

A Journey That Began Nearly Two Decades Ago

Goodman’s transformation traces back to 2007, when the actor quit drinking, hired a personal trainer, cut back on sugar and adopted a Mediterranean-style diet as he began working to lose weight in earnest. At his heaviest, Goodman weighed close to 400 pounds, and he has since lost roughly 200 pounds through a combination of consistent exercise and long-term dietary changes rather than any single dramatic intervention.

Speaking to People in 2010 after losing the first 100 pounds, Goodman explained the mindset shift that initially drove him toward changing his lifestyle. “I know it sounds sappy, but it was a waste,” he said, describing his previous habits. “It takes a lot of creative energy to sit on your a– and figure out what you’re going to eat next. … I wanted to live life better.” In a separate interview with ABC News, Goodman offered an even more direct explanation for his decision, saying, “I just got tired, sick and tired of looking at myself.”

A Gradual, Sustainable Approach

Unlike some celebrity weight loss stories built around a single rapid transformation, Goodman has repeatedly emphasized that his approach has been intentionally slow and steady, a strategy he credits with helping him avoid the cycles of weight loss and regain that had characterized earlier attempts. Rather than pursuing aggressive short-term dieting, Goodman has said he focused on sustainable, incremental lifestyle changes, including regular exercise such as walking dogs and boxing, alongside his broader dietary adjustments.

That said, Goodman has been candid about periods when his progress slipped. He has acknowledged that in 2023, he became “lazy and let everything go” at points during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he neglected his usual exercise and management routines. Despite that setback, he has maintained roughly a 200-pound weight loss over an extended period, according to recent reporting on his health journey.

A Transformation Documented Across Recent Public Appearances

Goodman’s changed appearance has drawn public attention on multiple occasions over the past year. He showed off his transformation at the Los Angeles premiere of “Smurfs” in July 2025, where he voices the character Papa Smurf, appearing in a navy blue suit for photographers on the red carpet. He was also featured prominently at the 2026 South by Southwest Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas, where he promoted his film “Chili Finger” alongside co-star Judy Greer, drawing further attention to his physique during red carpet appearances and a public food-truck event tied to the film’s promotion.

A Health Scare Along the Way

Goodman’s continued public appearances have come despite at least one recent setback tied to his ongoing film work. In March, the actor sustained a hip injury while filming in the United Kingdom for an upcoming project directed by Oscar winner Alejandro González Iñárritu, according to Deadline. Goodman reportedly received medical attention following the injury and was expected to resume shooting the following week, allowing production to continue without significant disruption to the broader project.

Staying Busy Professionally

Beyond his weight loss journey, Goodman has continued to work steadily across film and television. He recently completed the seventh season of “The Conners” in 2025, extending his long-running role on the sitcom, and has remained active with additional projects in the time since. He is set to return to screens later this year in Iñárritu’s new film, “Digger,” which stars Tom Cruise in the title role alongside a cast that includes Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, Riz Ahmed and Emma D’Arcy.

“Digger” marks Iñárritu’s first English-language film since 2015’s “The Revenant,” and follows a character described in the film’s official logline as “the most powerful man in the world” who embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before a disaster he has unleashed destroys everything. The project, described by its marketing materials as “a comedy of catastrophic proportions,” was shot in the United Kingdom and is scheduled for release on Oct. 2, 2026, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in partnership with Legendary Entertainment.

A Long and Varied Career

Goodman, now in his seventies, has built one of the more enduring and versatile careers in American film and television, spanning decades of work across comedy, drama and animated voice roles. His continued visibility on red carpets and in high-profile film projects, paired with his ongoing physical transformation, has kept him a frequent subject of media coverage even as he approaches the later stages of a career that began well before many of his current co-stars were born.

With “Digger” set for release in early October and Goodman continuing to make public appearances that highlight his sustained weight loss, fan and media attention toward his transformation is likely to continue building in the weeks ahead of the film’s premiere. For now, the newly shared photo with DeLuise offers the latest visual marker of a health journey Goodman himself has described as driven less by any single dramatic decision than by nearly two decades of consistent, deliberate lifestyle change.