Dave Bautista reveals 'I’m basically killing myself' to maintain jaw-dropping 75-pound weight loss

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dave Bautista has made headlines with his remarkable weight loss journey, shedding an impressive 75 pounds to achieve a more svelte physique.

The actor, who is also a former WWE star, recently disclosed the extreme measures he's taking to maintain his new weight, admitting that he’s essentially “killing” himself to stay in shape.

Dave Bautista opens up about weight gain and the struggles of losing it

In a candid interview on Chris Van Vliet’s YouTube channel, Dave Bautista shared the reasons behind his weight loss. “I started slimming down because I just got fat,” he said. “I got really big for a role, and it was uncomfortably big… I was around 315 pounds, and I put the weight on really fast. … I packed it on with French fries and pancakes.” His weight gain was a result of preparing for his role in the 2023 psychological horror film 'Knock at the Cabin'.

Reflecting on his weight gain and subsequent loss, Bautista noted, “Looking back at it, I probably overdid it. I was probably a little too big. I put on an uncomfortable amount of weight and it took me forever to shed it off.”

Despite the challenges, he acknowledged that losing the weight has positively impacted his confidence and on-screen presence. “And I also noticed the more I trimmed down, the better I looked on camera and the better I looked next to other actors. … Even at this weight … at 6’4″ [and] 240 pounds, next to your typical actor I look like a gorilla, and it’s distracting,” he added.

Dave Bautista discusses effort behind maintaining weight loss

Dave Bautista also addressed fan concerns about his dramatic transformation, clarifying that while he’s not “starving himself,” maintaining his weight is a rigorous process. “I’ll probably lose a few more pounds. I’m basically killing myself to be this trim. I mean, I am training hard,” he explained. “My calories are pretty restricted.” He revealed that his daily intake is around 2,500 calories, and he follows an intermittent fasting regimen, avoiding food 3–4 hours before bedtime.

Earlier this year, Bautista spoke about his departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He expressed relief at leaving his role as Drax in 'Guardians of the Galaxy', sharing with GQ Magazine, “I’m so grateful for Drax. I love him. But there’s a relief [that it’s over].” He admitted that the role was physically taxing, stating, “It wasn’t all pleasant. It was hard playing that role. The makeup process was beating me down. And I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy – it’s a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff.”

Bautista also shared his perspective on his career and Hollywood. “Honestly, I could give a f***[about being a movie star],” he told GQ.

“I don’t live a great big glamorous life. I live here in Tampa. I don’t care about the spotlight, I don’t care about fame. I just want to be a better actor. I want respect from my peers. I don’t need accolades – I really don’t, man. It’s about the experience, about knowing that I accomplished something.”