24/06/2026 04:43 - Entretenimiento
Matt Damon experienced a health scare during the filming of Courage Under Fire in 1996. The actor, standing 1.80 meters tall (5'11"), lost 23 kilograms (approximately 50 pounds) in less than 100 days to portray Specialist Andrew Ilario, a heroin-addicted soldier during the Gulf War. His physical transformation was so severe that he reached a weight of just 61 kilograms (134 pounds).
Damon recounted the details of this process during a 2022 appearance on the British program The One Show. "I had to be thin and followed a diet without supervision that could have killed me," he declared. According to his testimony, the regimen consisted exclusively of chicken breast, egg whites, steamed broccoli, and baked potatoes, complemented by a daily running routine of 19 kilometers (about 12 miles).
The impact on his body was immediate and severe. Doctors warned him about the risks of his behavior, including the possibility that his heart could shrink permanently. During filming, Damon experienced constant dizziness and hot flashes.
"I was a mess. I had dizzy spells and hot flashes. I didn't tell anyone for a while because I was afraid I was really sick," he admitted.
The actor acknowledged that he didn't need to act out the character's suffering because the discomfort was real. "I went too far. I got sick and wouldn't do it again because it was simply too much. At the same time, it helped the performance," he stated.
Despite the risks, the sacrifice marked a turning point in his career. The dedication shown in Courage Under Fire attracted the attention of renowned directors. Francis Ford Coppola selected him for The Rainmaker (1997) and Steven Spielberg offered him a role in Saving Private Ryan, solidifying his Hollywood trajectory.
Years later, Damon maintains a critical stance on that method. The lack of a nutritionist or professional guidance was the element that worsened his situation during the three and a half months that the transformation lasted.
Method acting is a technique where actors deeply immerse themselves in their characters, often making extreme physical and emotional changes. While this approach has earned many actors prestigious awards, it has also led to health complications. Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, and Charlize Theron are among other Hollywood stars who have undergone dramatic transformations for roles, though usually under medical supervision.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
