In 2020, Hugh Bonneville surprised everyone by showing his new body. During the first coronavirus lockdown, the actor managed to shed some pounds. While many people gained weight during this period, Hugh used the lockdown to get his body in shape. And now, Hugh Bonneville’s weight loss strikes again.
The slim actor looks to be in good spirits and flaunts his body on any possible occasion. Hugh plays Lord Grantham in Downtown Abbey, and the star is one of the brightest spots in the period drama. How did he do it? Well, let’s take a look at the weight loss journey of the almost-60-year-old actor.
Reader's Roadmap
Get To Know Hugh
First, we have to begin with his life story. How much do you know about the British actor? What about his real name? Born Hugh Richard Bonneville Williams, he is a British actor famous for his versatile talent and memorable performances. Hugh has been part of both film and television projects. And one of his big talent skills is the ability to adapt to different projects.
Born in November 1963 in Paddington, London, England, his early life was all about curiosity for the arts. Fun fact: he was part of the movie Paddington, where he portrayed the father of the family. See, Paddington comes full circle.
Now let’s talk about his educational background. British actor Hugh Bonneville began his studies at Sherborne School, which is a prestigious independent boys’ school in Dorset, England. From there, he continued his undergraduate studies at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge. There, he studied theology and even got a Bachelor’s degree in theology. But no, he didn’t become a priest.
Instead, his interest in acting during his time at Corpus Christi he developed a serious interest in acting, and joined the university’s prestigious Footlights Dramatic Club. He then went on to study at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
Once he coned his skills at different colleges, he went on to begin his professional acting career. And like many British actors, he began on stage, performing in different plays in London’s West End. In the beginning, he performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
During this period, he also appeared in television series like The Bill and Silent Witness. His first big break came in the early 2000s when he was cast in the role of Charles Carlson, a comical foil to Rowan Atkinson’s titular character in the British television series Mr. Bean.
And then by the end of the 2000s, he got another big break. Portraying Robert Crawley, or the Earl of Grantham in Downtown Abbey catapulted him to global fame and earned him numerous awards and nominations. For example, he earned a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series.
Some of his notable movie roles include Notting Hill, Iris, Paddington, and more. As an actor, his ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity is what makes him a fan favorite.
As you can see, his journey to fame and success has always been marked by a passion for acting and dedication to his craft. He has a special place in the hearts of British fans and international movie critics.
Why Did He Lose Weight?
Many men will tell you, a wife can make you do things you want to do, but you are afraid to start. And sometimes, you need that extra push from your loved one.
Now, star Hugh Bonneville’s weight loss journey didn’t start because of his wife. The famous actor has not revealed the exact reason he decided to shed some pounds. But in one interview he said that when he returned from filming the BBC archeology drama Bonekickers in 2008, his wife told him, “You’re as fat as a pig”.
And that might have prompted the famous actor to shed some pounds many years later. Famous for playing Robert Crawley, he won two Emmy Award nominations for it with fellow cast members.
His last role was in the Netflix movie from 2022, I Came By. The motion picture tells a story of a young graffiti rebel who targets the homes of the wealthy and uncovers a shocking secret.
How Did He Lose Weight?
Downton Abbey actor shared a photo of his new body on social media, speaking about wrapping up filming on the second Downtown Abbey feature movie. He wrote, “Fab return visit to the Limewood Hotel. Fantastic service, crazily delicious food, thanks Chef Chris, stupidly good spa. It’s ridiculous. In a good way”.
But fans could only look at his appearance which was ridiculous in a good way. The famous actor looked slimmer than ever. It was an incredible weight loss transformation.
He has spoken about adding exercise to his routine and switching up his diet. And it certainly paid off. It is certainly a big change from 2009 when he said that “he exercises little and often and has no carbs in the evening”.
Hugh Bonneville Weight Loss Diet
When fans looked at the Downton Abbey star and his incredible weight loss, they instantly took to social media to congratulate him and encourage him. Some of the tweets said, “Hugh on the One Show. How different does he look”, “Hugh looks so different, I honestly didn’t even recognize him, his face is so much slimmer”, and so on.
Over the years, the Downton Abbey actor has been open about his fitness regime. He says he slimmed down almost a stone by changing his diet plan and introducing some exercise into his daily life.
And his diet is all about low carbs. Hugh tries to cut a large amount of carbs, which often results in reduced appetite and automatic weight loss.
Yes, a healthy amount of carbs is still good for your body, but you can swap them for healthier alternatives. Think brown rice and brown bread.
Hugh, on his part, swapped large portions for eating at more regular intervals throughout the day and cut back on high-carb foods. Some of these carb-heavy foods include white pasta, crisps, cake, biscuits, white bread, canned fruit, French fries, processed cereal, and so on.
As for exercise, he shared pictures of running on the South Downs and walking his dog. Exercise is a crucial part of losing weight, but Hugh does it in small, regular doses.
How To Try The Low-carb Diet?
Do you want to lose weight like Hugh? Well, the low-carb diet is an excellent option. This dietary approach restricts the consumption of carbs while emphasizing the intake of protein and fat. Here are some ideas on how to follow the Hugh Bonneville weight loss plan:
- Reduce the intake of high-carb foods or completely avoid foods like bread, rice, pasta, cereals, potatoes, and sugary foods
- Focus on non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower, protein sources, and healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil
- Choose nutrient-dense foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, like whole and unprocessed foods
- Ensure a well-rounded diet and include a variety of foods, otherwise, it will become boring quickly
- Increase protein intake and healthy fats, which you can source from poultry, meat, fish, eggs, and plants like beans, lentils, and tofu
- Be careful with beverages, they might have a high amount of carbs, particularly drinks like soda, fruit juices, sweetened tea, and other sugary drinks
- Read food labels to identify hidden sources of carbs in packaged foods. Always read the total carbohydrate content, including fiber and sugars
- Plan meals and snacks in advance to choose healthier options and stay on track with your low-carb diet
- Keep track of your food intake and monitor your progress to make sure you are staying within the desired carb range
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