12 Celebs Who Are Secretly Really Buff

When we think of muscular actors, it’s usually the names of heartthrobs like Chris Hemsworth, Henry Cavill, and Zac Efron that come to mind. Still, numerous celebrities have defied stereotypes and wowed their fans with their well-built physiques, achieved with the help of a balanced diet, a strict workout routine, and the means to hire a personal trainer.

Some of these stars have undergone drastic body transformations to prepare for a role. In contrast, others have acquired a taste for exercise throughout the years, looking to lose weight or improve their physical and mental health.

Anyhow, here are 12 celebrities who might inspire you to move from your couch.

12 PHOTOS

#1 Daniel Radcliffe

Maybe it’s because the 34-year-old actor has become known to us as the young wizard who enrolled in Hogwarts School that we are so surprised to learn of his toned physique. 

The truth is that Radcliffe runs six miles a day (at minimum) six days a week. His inspiration to exercise came after meeting his partner, Erin Darke. 

Radcliffe’s advice to those wanting to put on a little more muscle is to stick to an activity that interests them, “Find something that you enjoy that also keeps you fit. Like playing football, or rock climbing or whatever it is. Just find that and do it so it doesn’t feel like a chore,” he said.

#2 J.k. Simmons

Simmons’ most remarkable roles were Dr. Emil Skoda on Law & Order, music instructor Terence Fletcher in Whiplash, and prisoner Vernon Schillinger on the HBO series Oz. 

The Academy Award-winning actor has been leading a healthy lifestyle since 2009. “After the second and final time that I got hugely fat in my life [... ] I pretty much decided that I was going to stay in decent shape for the rest of my life,” the 68-year-old stated.

#3 Gordon Ramsay

When he’s not busy making condescending comments to cooking show competitors or running his four Michelin-star restaurants, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has time to look after his body.

The 56-year-old has competed in five Ironman triathlons to date. To prepare for this demanding endeavor, he swims three times a week, rides his bike on weekends, and, believe it or not, eats whatever he pleases.

“I don’t think dieting is healthy. Chefs shouldn’t diet. I’m lucky; I can burn calories. I just stay on it,” the chef confessed.

#4 Tom Hiddleston

Hiddleston’s buff figure was achieved thanks to working out five days a week, doing cardio exercises, and lifting weights. Being cast in action movies like Kong: Skull Island and Marvel Cinematic Universe as Loki motivated the 42-year-old to ditch the hamburgers and embrace the fitness life.

#5 Ben Stiller

Stiller has starred in multiple films where he has shown off his muscular body, such as Tropic Thunder, Meet the Parents, Dodgeball, and The Meyerowitz Stories.

Though it remains unknown whether the Zoolander star can be frequently found in the gym, the 57-year-old has been photographed paddle boarding and playing tennis.

#6 Kumail Nanjiani

The actor put on muscle to play cocky warrior Kingo in Marvel’s film Eternals. It wasn’t the producer’s idea to make him get in shape, but his wish entirely, given that the 45-year-old actor grew up reading comic books and wanted to emulate Superman’s figure.

#7 Stanley Tucci

When the 62-year-old actor and filmmaker posted a video on Instagram preparing a Negroni, everyone wanted to know the name of his personal trainer.

The woman who made him get those buff arms is Monique Eastwood, owner of the Eastwood Movement Method.

“Most sessions I teach are an hour long, but that could change depending on the client’s requirements that day,” the personal trainer explained. “I try to adjust the workout according to what they need.” She also mentioned the importance of constantly changing clients’ workout routines to avoid boredom.

#8 Benedict Cumberbatch

Cumberbatch has done many exercises to achieve his superhero physique, including weightlifting and pilates. The actor also did yoga, which has been one of his favorite workouts since his teen years.

To prepare the 47-year-old star for the role of Dr. Strange, Marvel Studios hired pro-trainer Simon Waterson. The professional applied the five-two method, described as “five exercises done in an accumulator with two minutes of cardio in between.”

#9 Steve Carell

Rumor has it that Carell was so buff after shooting The 40-Year-Old Virgin that they thought of hiring another actor to play Michael Scott in The Office.

According to John Carrol-Lynch, who co-starred with Carell in the romcom Crazy, Stupid, Love, tackling the 61-year-old star was equivalent to “hitting a brick wall.”

#10 Anderson Cooper

Who would’ve guessed that the CNN host was ripped? On a cover for Entertainment Weekly shot in 2019, the 56-year-old news anchor surprised his following by posing with a tight cotton t-shirt that revealed his well-built physique.

Cooper took up pilates after injuring his back while on a Coast Guard helicopter covering the Houston floods.

The journalist also stays away from alcohol and doesn’t smoke.

#11 Manny Jacinto

Another Good Place star whose ripped body has been under the radar all along is Manny Jacinto. The 36-year-old Canadian star, who played Jason Mendoza in the NBC sitcom, trains four to five days a week. You can watch his functional workout here.

#12 William Jackson Harper

The Good Place’s Chidi is known for being a dorky philosophy professor with a rather hesitant mind for making decisions. What many devotees of the show ignore is that Jackson Harper, the 43-year-old actor behind the beloved character, is quite a fan of hitting the gym.

During an episode of the series, Chidi ditches his sweater vests and preppy shirts to shop shirtless for some groceries.