The physical change that has most surprised Robert De Niro in all his years as an actor: “Who is that?”
Not even a legendary actor could have realized who he was greeting on the set of ‘American Hustle.’
Christian Bale has long been known for his extreme physical transformations, but few have made headlines like the one he underwent for American Hustle.
To play the overweight con artist Irving Rosenfeld, Bale packed on more than 42 pounds—going from roughly 185 to 227 pounds—and the change was so dramatic that even Robert De Niro didn’t recognize him on set.
According to director David O. Russell, when De Niro arrived to film his cameo, he greeted the cast politely. But when he reached Bale, he froze and asked, “Who’s that?” Russell had to step in and explain, “You’re shaking hands with Christian Bale.” De Niro was stunned. “He didn’t recognize him at all,” Russell recalled with a laugh. “He said, ‘Wow, he looks so different… That’s amazing!’”
“I ate tons of donuts, cheeseburgers—whatever I could find”
In an interview with People magazine, Bale admitted that the weight gain came at a cost. “I ate tons of donuts, cheeseburgers, and anything I could get my hands on,” he said. “I was around 185 pounds and ended up at 227. I’m still trying to lose it,” he added years later.
This wasn’t Bale’s first dramatic transformation. For The Machinist, he famously dropped over 55 pounds to play an emaciated insomniac, only to bulk up again—adding serious muscle mass—to become Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.
A master of reinvention
David O. Russell has said that Bale is in a league of his own when it comes to disappearing into roles. “He can completely reinvent himself. There’s no one like him,” the director once remarked—and it’s hard to disagree.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.