“My body was in shock”: Jared Leto’s Horrendous Weight Gain for a Role Put Him in a Wheelchair, Gave Him Gout – The Movie Made Just $187,488
Mia Walsh
Updated on April 02, 2026
Jared Leto is celebrated as a versatile talent in the entertainment realm. His prowess spans acting, music, and visionary creativity, leaving an enduring impact on Hollywood. His portrayal of Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club garnered widespread acclaim, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Leto’s unwavering commitment to his artistry shines through in his chameleonic performances, where he frequently immerses himself in profound physical and emotional transformations, further solidifying his reputation as a dedicated and accomplished artist.
Jared Leto Went Through Pain For A Role
Jared Leto has undergone physical transformations for roles in movies like Requiem for a Dream and Dallas Buyers Club, but it was the weight gain he undertook for the 2007 indie film Chapter 27 that notably impacted the actor’s body.
Portraying Mark Chapman, the individual responsible for the tragic assassination of John Lennon, Leto openly acknowledged that he underwent such rapid and substantial weight gain that he experienced gout.
Leto told LA Times:
“Towards the end of the shoot, one of the glaring issues was the pain I had with my feet. I had a wheelchair because it was so painful. My body was in shock from the amount of weight I gained. It took about a year to get back to a place that felt semi-normal. I don’t know if I’ll ever be back to the place I was physically.”
In the 2007 indie film Chapter 27, Jared Leto takes on the role of Mark David Chapman, the troubled figure responsible for John Lennon’s assassination. The movie delves into Chapman’s psychological decline preceding the tragic incident, with Leto’s deeply immersive performance, amplifying the film’s disquieting storyline.
Jared Leto Wants To Reprise His Iconic Role
In the year 2000, the actor headlined a movie titled Requiem for a Dream. With strong critical acclaim and Jared Leto’s compelling portrayal of a heroin addict, the Suicide Squad star shared how he poured his heart and soul into the role, highlighting the significant impact it had on his mental well-being.
During an interview, the actor discussed his intricate dietary regimen and the profound impact it had on him while embodying the persona of a heroin addict. He revealed that he strictly adhered to a diet consisting solely of raw vegetables, which resulted in a deteriorating state of health as the filming process progressed.
Leta said (via Albawaba News)
“I got increasingly sick as the film went on and I started getting addicted to losing weight. And more so addicted to the challenge of like, ‘you know you can do a little bit more’. There’s a little voice in your head. I had a number that I wanted to get down to and that number kept getting lower as you get used to it! Because you look in the mirror and I didn’t see myself as skinny.”
Enduring immense pain and intensity, Jared Leto expressed his readiness to undertake the arduous journey once more if the opportunity to reprise the role were to arise.
Chapter 27 is available for streaming on Pluto.
Source: LA Times, Albawaba News
