How Did Tom Hanks Lose Weight for the Movie “Cast Away”?

Tom Hanks lost weight for his role in “Cast Away” by following a strict diet and workout regimen. Hanks lost 55 pounds in four months by following his health plan. He ate very few carbohydrates from fruits and ate other healthy foods, such as fish and coconut milk. Hanks also ate large amounts of vegetables to help satisfy his hunger cravings. His workout plan mainly consisted of two hours of cardio training for six days a week.

Prior to filming his island scenes, Hanks gained weight to look more like a middle-aged man for his other scenes. Hank ate lots of carbohydrates and junk food to gain the weight. Once the majority of the filming completed, the production became halted for one year for Hanks to lose his weight and grow his hair and beard. During the one-year hiatus, the film’s producer used the same film crew to make another movie.

“Cast Away” is an adventure drama film produced by Robert Zemeckis. The film stars Tom Hanks as a FedEx worker who becomes stranded on an island after his plane crashes. He must find ways to stay alive on the island using limited resources, such as the remnants of his plane’s cargo. Hanks’ performance led him to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.