John Goodman admits his body is ‘messed up’ as he reflects on 90kg weight loss journey

John Goodman has admitted he’s still trying to get used to his new body after going through a dramatic weight loss transformation. 

The 74-year-old actor, who has lost more than 90kg, explained that he’s also chosen to ignore the public commentary around his new body, on a new episode of Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. 

“Since I’m in this business, it is fair game – up to a point,” he said.

Goodman, who weighed 181kg at his heaviest, also said he’s “still trying to get used to my face” following his physical transformation.

“It’s weird,” the Digger star said. 

“I think of myself as one way, and then I look at myself [and think], ‘Oh, wow.’”

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Goodman added, “It’s strange. It’s fun to get used to. That’s a lot of stuff I’m getting used to.”

But his body transformation has come with new insecurities around roles. 

Goodman recalled refusing to do a nude scene in The Righteous Gemstones, which he had a recurring role on from 2019 to 2025, because of his drastic weight loss.

“I thought I was going to have to be naked,” he explained. 

“I said, ‘No. I’m good. My body is too messed up from losing all this weight.'”

While Goodman said that he’s still coming to terms with his new appearance, Horowitz asked, “Did your weight limit any opportunities at any time?” 

Despite his resurgence in the spotlight, he acknowledged that there was likely an impact on his early career because of it. 

“I’m sure it did. And a lot of it I think might have been self-sabotage,” he said. 

The Roseanne alum explained that when he first started in the entertainment industry, he was around 102kg, was in “good shape” and would run outside in New York City every day. 

But when asked about his weight and whether it impacted his career, Goodman brushed it off and said he felt like he had enough on his plate as it was. 

“I was working enough as I was,” he said. 

“I wasn’t crazy about it, but I wonder if I probably sabotaged myself.”

In a recent interview, Goodman said giving up alcohol was a “life-saving” choice when it came to his health.

Speaking to The New Yorker, Goodman opened up about his sobriety journey.

“I was in a position, when I quit, where I had to be hospitalised one way or the other,” he said.

“I just was tired of it, and I wanted to stop.”

The Flintstones actor quit drinking in 2007 at age 55. Before then, he struggled to find a weight loss program that stuck.

He explained to the publication he’d lose 27kg in one summer then gain it all back again. Then 36kg the next.

“And that got tiring,” the Roseanne star admitted.

“I took steps so I wouldn’t have to do that any more. I was almost 400 pounds (181kg).”

When he quit, Goodman realised just “how selfish” drinking made him, and admitted he had a lot of catching up to do in life.

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