Chris Pratt and the Parks and Recreation Pivot
For years, Chris Pratt was known as the jovial, somewhat portly Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation, and he often quipped about eating freely as the show required him to maintain that heavier build. When Marvel cast him as Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, he faced a six-month deadline to achieve an action lead physique. Pratt committed to roughly four hours of daily training and a strict high-protein diet supervised by trainer Duffy Gaver, reportedly losing about 60 pounds. The 2014 film's release solidified his status as a tentpole star and fundamentally changed how casting directors viewed him. Pratt has since spoken about the difficulty of sustaining such intense preparation while also raising a family.