Sebastian Stan Admits His Transformation Into Tommy Lee Took A Toll On His Mental Health
There's a lot that goes into playing Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee on Hulu, according to Sebastian Stan. The actor, who recently portrayed the famous rockstar in the miniseries "Pam & Tommy," revealed the various things he had to do to embody his character accurately.
For one, he used to wear steel balls on set, as Lee was apparently well-endowed. "For the duration of the shoot, you know, Tommy was a big man. So, I wore these bare steel balls," he shared in an interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Stan added, "I know it sounds insane to you, but trust me, I was like, I need to kind of feel like a man." Stan also revealed the incredible lengths he went to in a bid to mimic Lee's lean physique.
"I basically did a lot of fasting and running on an empty stomach, which was really hard," he told Esquire. "I would try to get 20,000 steps a day and I would try to fast 16 to 18 hours. And then basically, I kind of went, pretty much a vegan diet, except without the carbohydrates. So I was kind of just eating salads and avocado and almond butter, basically. It was tough." While dieting is nothing new for actors prepping for challenging roles, the intense regimen took a toll on Stan, and he recently revealed that it triggered his body dysmorphia.
Sebastian Stan developed body dysmorphia while preparing to play Tommy Lee
Wearing steel balls is one thing, but undergoing an intense training regimen is a whole other beast. According to Sebastian Stan, the physical transformation was the most difficult part in preparing for his Tommy Lee role. "It was always difficult because I just wasn't the same frame as him," the actor told Entertainment Weekly. "I had to lose so much weight, and the drums were a real pressure for me... The whole thing felt like this just ginormous mountain to climb."
But even after training for hours on end and following a strict diet, Stan still didn't feel like he did enough. "I was trying to lose weight and I still felt I didn't lose enough weight," he continued. "And people were telling me I was crazy and going, 'You have body dysmorphia now' — which I always did anyway."
And while it affected his mental health, he wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm proud of the whole thing," Stan admitted, adding that he thinks it's still one of the most fun parts about acting. He will likely pick up another role that's equally as challenging, as he once said that he gravitates toward those. "When I read something that really kind of freaks me out a little bit and I get the voice that's like, 'Don't ever go near this,' then I'm more drawn to it," the actor told IndieWire. "I find usually that fear is a good indicator of something that I have to sort of step into."
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.