The Dramatic Transformations That Helped Stars Win an Oscar
To embody the iconic J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist hailed as the architect of the atomic bomb, the Irish actor underwent a rigorous diet.
“Oppenheimer had a unique physical presence that I wanted to capture accurately,” the 47-year-old shared with The New York Times about the scientist who passed away from cancer in 1967. “I had to shed a significant amount of weight, and we focused on the costume and tailoring; he was very slender, almost gaunt, surviving on martinis and cigarettes.”
During filming, Murphy sustained himself on minimal food.
“It was a monumental task,” remarked Emily Blunt, also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Oppenheimer’s wife Kitty, in an interview with Extra. “He could only have, like, one almond a day.”
Admittedly, the actor recognized the extreme nature of his diet. “You start to compete with yourself a bit, which isn’t healthy,” he confessed to The Guardian, declining to disclose the exact amount of weight he shed. “I don’t want it to be a headline like, ‘Cillian lost x pounds for the role.'”
Despite the challenges, he ultimately reaped the ultimate reward.
Before witnessing his potential triumph at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, explore the stories of other stars who committed fully to a character and emerged victorious.