Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey. That guy you barely recognize now.

Can we just talk about those shoes in the last pic? O_o

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Oh my.

His stylist has some 'splainin' to do...

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Yes, Dan lost the weight for a film role. I implied that (comparing it to other stars who have done that recently) but I guess I didn't make it clear in my original post, but you are correct. That's why he dropped the 30 lbs. and dyed his hair. But Matthew McConnaughy and Tom Hanks and Jared Leto and Matt Damon had extensive film credits first before they decided to "look unrecognizable" for a character. When you're first establishing yourself, I don't think it's a good idea to go incognito with audiences.

Yes, I agree that Tom Branson (Allen Leech) has put on some weight. So has Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier).

The ladies seem to be looking lovely at Downton, but a few of the men need to avoid the crafts services table for a while.

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sorry best12, I read your first post too quickly.

Actors often think it is they themselves the audience applauds, when it is, in fact, the character we love.

He may never have another role again in which he is so popular.

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"I liked Matthew but anyone could've played that role. I wouldn't say Matthew made that role."

I agree. Plus, the character was not really going anywhere. He would have been Mary's lapdog for the rest of the series. The character just wasn't very interesting.

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Didn't Guy Pearce lose a great deal of weight - and look very unhealthy - for Memento? That was fairly early on in his career, which, granted hasn't been megastar tracked, but I don't think it caused any lasting damage.

We may want to add to the Downton star big screen bombs Hugh in Monuments Men.

I didn't mean to imply that his career is over and done with.

Not by any means. Just that he's taken a big dive since leaving Downton Abbey for "greener pastures." And I question some of the career decisions he's making, from his choices to his appearance.

But he could easily bounce back into the limelight again. He has several projects lined up, some leads, some featured roles. Who knows?

I just wish he had parlayed that incredibly lucky break a little better. He ran for the hills, just as things were getting really good. I wish he had seen the value in sticking it out a little longer. Downton Abbey fell (for me) in quality a bit, but it's ratings this past (fourth) season were the strongest ever. They did just fine without him, at least if you're just going by the numbers. Creatively, I missed him on the show.

But "we soldier on," as Maggie Smith might say.

And while his goal may not be "fame," the fame allows actors the freedom to try riskier projects, less profile and less money. But establishing oneself first is the key. He quit just as things were heating up.

By the way, the reason he left ... AND Lady Sybil ... AND O'Brien ... is because the whole cast was under three-year contracts initially (assuming the show was a hit, which it was). So this was the first opportunity they had to bow out gracefully before signing another contract. So three major cast members decided to leave after Season Three.

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When I first say this pic of him...I got excited...sexually (heheh)...


http://thephillyq.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/line-of-beauty-1.jpeg

Updated On: 3/2/14 at 04:11 PM

I just think the double-standard for weight gain between these "heartthrob" men and women is ... interesting.

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I don't think anybody is saying they've gained so much weight they aren't right for the roles anymore. Or that they aren't attractive.

Just that the've both gained weight, and it's noticeable.

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Dan looked perfect in The Heiress. He was slimmed down and very handsome. A woman asked him about the weight loss at the stage door and he said, "theres working actor weight in the UK and a very different standard here in the US." He said that you cant have weight in your face if you want to read for leading man roles. The drastic weight loss was for a role. He doesnt typically look like that.

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