Paul Walter Hauser: Pushing Past Weight-Based Roles After 'Black Bird'

After shedding significant weight for his Emmy-winning role in 'Black Bird,' Paul Walter Hauser is now looking to break free from the stereotypical overweight characters he's often cast in.

Paul Walter Hauser, the versatile actor known for his standout performances in 'I, Tonya' and 'Richard Jewell,' is embarking on a transformative journey to shed the weight-based roles that have defined his career.

In an interview with People magazine, Hauser revealed that he lost 40 pounds for his role as Jimmy Keene in the acclaimed Apple TV+ psychological thriller 'Black Bird.' Despite regaining some of the weight, he is now determined to reach a healthier weight, targeting 256 pounds.

"Slowly but surely, I'm going to be chipping away at that," said Hauser, who is also pursuing a career in professional wrestling. "That's kind of a nice fighting weight for me, for my size and the things I get cast in."

Hauser has played a wide range of overweight characters, including the lovable Tonya Harding's bodyguard in 'I, Tonya,' the wrongly accused security guard in 'Richard Jewell,' and the villainous Jasper in Disney's 'Cruella.' While he acknowledges the appeal of these roles, Hauser is now eager to break free from the typecast.

"I've played every type of chubby, misguided person. I don't need to play 900 more," he told the outlet. "Chris Farley will be my last very heavy-set role in which I am on paper and visually overweight."

Hauser's decision to move away from overweight roles is not solely driven by aesthetic concerns. He also wants to prioritize his health and be a positive role model for his family.

"I'm done with that version of that character, and I look forward to being healthy," he said. "I’ve got over 2½ years of sobriety, and I want to be around for a long time for my kids and my wife."

Hauser credits his family as a major motivation for his weight loss journey. "Each day is a new day," he said. "I'm doing it slowly and steadily, and I'm not going to give up."

In addition to his upcoming role as Chris Farley in a biopic, Hauser will also appear in Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four' in 2025. He is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, both in terms of his personal life and his acting career.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what else I can do," said Hauser. "[Let’s] see if I can compete with the Ben Fosters and the Ryan Goslings."