John Goodman details pre-sobriety weight struggles and gastric surgery

John Goodman revealed that he was "eating alcoholically" and weighed nearly 400 pounds before beginning his weight loss journey, according to a recent interview with The New Yorker. The 74-year-old actor discussed the intersection of his past alcoholism and weight management, stating that he achieved sobriety in his 50s but had been attempting to control his weight prior to quitting drinking. He described a repetitive cycle of losing up to 80 pounds in a summer only to regain the weight, a pattern he found exhausting. To break this cycle, Goodman underwent stomach surgery, though he noted the procedure resulted in anemia and the loss of subcutaneous fat layers.

Goodman traced the origins of his alcoholism to 1978, when his girlfriend at the time "put me on waivers," which he said freed up his nights for the first time in five years. He recalled visiting multiple bars until drinking became a habit, which coincided with a rapid increase in his weight. He specifically identified Café Central as a location where he "turned it into home" and became accustomed to drinking while seeking friends and companionship. Regarding his decision to stop drinking, Goodman cited a saying from recovery rooms: "I got sick and tired of being sick and tired." He explained that the pursuit of instant gratification led to worsening hangovers and shakes, creating a vicious cycle that ultimately required hospitalization.

The actor described realizing that his drinking made him "selfish" and that he was delaying his maturation. He stated he was "overlooking real life" but found value in discovering a lifestyle where he did not need substances to enjoy it. In a separate 2023 interview with The Rolling Stone, Goodman detailed his current fitness routine, which includes boxing and daily walks. He described spending one to one-and-a-half hours hitting mitts and bags to learn footwork, noting that he has not sparred because he is unsure how he would react if struck in the face. Goodman first rose to fame as Dan Conner on the original run of "Roseanne" for nine seasons, later reprising the role in the 2018 reboot and the spin-off "The Conners."