John Goodman, 74, opens up about the reality behind his 200-pound weight loss

John Goodman says weight-loss drugs would have been a "godsend" after shedding nearly half his body weight

When most people picture actor John Goodman, they think of the big-screen characters that made him famous in films such as The Borrowers and The Flintstones. But the 74-year-old looks very different now, after losing 200 pounds in recent years.

In a recent interview, Goodman said it would have been a "godsend" to have weight-loss medication available while he was working to drop the 14 stone he has taken off.

Instead, he said the dramatic change came through stomach surgery, giving up alcohol, confronting his food addiction and sticking with exercise.

Goodman said his struggle with food began in childhood. "I'd just get home and start eating. I’ve had troubles with my weight since I was little and the shame is just unbearable, so you eat more. It was always a source of my own weakness that I could flog myself with," he said.

He added: "I was eating alcoholically. It was just something to up the ante. It was dangerous. My joints were shot from the weight I was carrying."

He has since undergone two knee replacements and now works hard in the gym. He said he began exercising regularly about a decade ago, but still has to make himself go. "I mean, I have to force myself in there. If it was just me, I'd skip it," he said.

Long-term effort

His transformation was not an overnight change. Goodman has been working on it since 2007 and says he still does not fully feel at home in his smaller frame. "I still feel like a fat guy, but it's nice to be able to go into regular clothing stores and buy things," he said.

Injury on set

Even with his healthier lifestyle, Goodman has not been immune to mishaps. He was injured while filming Digger alongside Tom Cruise.

"I was stupidly wearing stockinged feet, no shoes. I went past Tom, my feet slid out and I went down parallel on my left hip," he said.

Goodman said Cruise helped arrange treatment quickly. "Tom's physician was on set and one of his best friends is an osteopath, so I was operated on the next morning," he explained.

After the operation, he spent two weeks in rehabilitation in London. "Then I went home and hit it every day, physically pushed it and got it done," he said.

He said he is now back to exercising and remains focused on staying fit and healthy.