Ethan Suplee | Source: Getty Images
Ethan Suplee Reveals How His Wife Inspired Him to Shed 250 Pounds — See His Transformation
Ethan Suplee, known for memorable roles in films like “American History X” and “Remember the Titans,” opened up about his incredible weight loss transformation. He shed a whopping 250 pounds and credited his wife for making it all possible.
He also shared his health journey on social media, and followers couldn’t believe he was the same man at all. Let’s take a look at the transformation they said was “AMAZING!“
A Successful Hollywood Career
Suplee has been a familiar face in Hollywood for decades. His acting career began in the mid-1990s, with appearances in comedies like “Mallrats” and “Without a Paddle.”
Over the years, he worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Denzel Washington in multiple films, like “John Q.”
Ethan Suplee during the “John Q” Los Angeles premiere at Directors Guild of America in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images
Even though Suplee’s career was thriving, his weight was a challenge he faced privately. By the time he was 24 years old, he weighed over 500 pounds.
While this didn’t stop him from getting work in Hollywood, the actor admits it made life harder in many ways. He struggled with crash diets that only gave him temporary results.
The constant cycle of losing and regaining weight left him feeling frustrated and unhealthy. That all changed when Suplee, who peaked at 536 pounds, decided to take a new approach to his health because of one special person.
The Reason for His Transformation
Suplee says he couldn’t have gone through this change without the love and support of his wife, Brandy Lewis. The two met when they were teenagers and became close friends.
Although Suplee was in love with her, the feeling wasn’t mutual at first. However, the pair reconnected in 2001, and something shifted. Lewis accepted Suplee for who he was, without focusing on his weight or health struggles.
“For the very first time, I wasn’t getting a deep concern from somebody about my health,” Suplee told People. “I felt totally accepted for who I was versus what I looked like.”
Their relationship became the turning point in Suplee’s life. Shortly after they started dating in 2002, the actor decided to make changes.
It all happened because he began thinking about the future, something he had never done before Lewis came into his life, as he revealed on the “Inside of You” podcast.
“That was really how I clawed my way out of this pit … looking up and seeing the light,” the actor added. He imagined walking through a museum, going on hikes, or traveling with Lewis, experiences he couldn’t fully enjoy because of his weight.
These dreams motivated him to start his health journey. “I became, for the first time in my life, kind of interested in the future and having experiences with her,” he explained. Thus, began his transformation.
An Incredible Change
With his mind set on building a future with Lewis, Suplee gave up extreme eating restrictions and instead focused on strength training and better nutrition.
Unlike before, he didn’t cut out certain food groups or follow strict rules. Instead, he worked on creating a balance that allowed him to enjoy what he liked while still making healthy choices.
Under the guidance of his trainer, Jared Feather, the actor carefully adjusted his meals and workouts to fit his goals. One of his big targets was to reach 10 percent body fat; something that he thought was impossible for most of his life.
However, in 2020, Suplee not only reached his goal but exceeded it, hitting nine percent body fat. The actor celebrated this milestone with a photo shoot that showed off his hard work. In total, he lost 250 pounds.
These pictures were unedited and showed everything, including his loose skin and scars. “This is who I am,” he told Men’s Health proudly. For someone who had avoided taking his shirt off in public for decades, this was a powerful reminder of how far he had come.
Even though he’s proud of this change, Suplee admits that maintaining his weight is still a challenge. After years of chasing the numbers on the scale, he’s trying to focus on enjoying life.
“I’m trying now to learn to live in, and be happy with, the maintenance period,” he explained. For him, that means eating meals with his family, going out to restaurants, and not feeling like every bite of food has to fit into a strict plan.
“I spent decades adjusting to periods of suffering through dieting,” Suplee added. He’s working on finding joy in everyday moments alongside his loved ones. This changed mindset allows him to help others and have different sources of income.
The actor started a podcast, “American Glutton,” where he talks about fitness, health, and how to find balance. He also runs an accountability group through the Marco Polo Channels app, where he chats with others trying to reach their goals.
Today, he and Lewis are still together after marrying in 2006 and building a beautiful life together. They have four daughters, two from Lewis’ previous relationship and two with Suplee. Meanwhile, they’re also the proud grandparents to a little girl.
On social media, Suplee often expresses his love and gratitude for Lewis. In one heartfelt post, he wrote, “Before I met my wife, the future wasn’t something I ever thought about. I’m so glad that life is something I look forward to now, every single day.”
While Suplee has achieved incredible physical goals, he’s clear that losing weight wasn’t the only thing that brought him happiness. “I cannot say that actually losing weight has made me happier,” he admitted. “I just think that achieving something I set out to achieve has given me this volume of happiness that is pretty great.”
An Inspiration Online
Many celebrities have lost weight over time, particularly in the last few years, but it’s Suplee’s honesty and humility that seemed to truly connect with people. Many have shared their admiration for this transformation online.
On his photo for Men’s Health, one fan commented, “Wow—AMAZING!” Another echoed, “You look amazing! Congrats on your success!”
Meanwhile, many are grateful that he shared this journey so openly. One netizen wrote, “Thank you for the inspiration. 🙌 You inspire me in so many ways!” Another added, “Well done [sic] fantastic transformation 👏.”
Suplee’s story is about more than just losing 250 pounds. It’s about finding a purpose in life through love, making lasting changes, and learning to live a happy and balanced.
With his wife’s encouragement and his own determination, the actor will continue to inspire countless fans, who see him as proof that it’s never too late to work toward a better future.
