She famously gained almost 30lbs to play Bridget Jones for the 2001 romantic comedy – and even said in an interview that the continued yo-yo dieting for the film series had lead to panic attacks.
But for her latest transformational role, Renee Zellweger is getting a little prosthetic help.
On Monday, the Oscar-winner was pictured wearing what is commonly referred to as a ‘fat suit’ as she filmed a new true crime drama for NBC titled The Thing About Pam in New Orleans, where she plays convicted killer Pam Hupp.
EXCLUSIVE: Renee Zellweger looks unrecognizable in a controversial ‘fat suit’ as she transforms into on convicted killer Pam Hupp… after worrying yo-yo dieting would ‘kill’ her after Bridget Jones
Sporting a large bodysuit-like undergarment, that was also later pictured being carried by a wardrobe assistant, the 52-year-old was able to transform from her slim physique to a much bigger frame to play the role of Hupp.
Killer role: Zellweger is playing Pam Hupp, 62, pictured above – who is alleged to have killed her friend Betsy Faria
Zellweger also appeared to have a prosthetic nose as she was seen heavily made-up to resemble the criminal.
In July this year, Hupp – who is already serving a life sentence for shooting a disabled man dead – plead not guilty to the 2011 murder of her friend Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Faria, after they were stabbed 55 times.
Prosecutors have alleged that Hupp killed Faria four days after persuading her to switch a $150,000 life insurance policy to her, and was accused of trying to frame Faria’s husband Russell.
Zellweger was seen sipping on an extra-large soda and was dressed down in jeans and a large winter jacket as production on the six-episode series rolled on, which is being co-produced by the star’s own production company, Big Picture Co.
The use of a ‘fat suit’ in Hollywood has become a controversial option for actors recently, with both Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Paulson saying they regret wearing one for their respective roles, amid cries of fat-phobia.
Last year, Paltrow admitted her regret over the choice to wear one in the movie Shallow Hall, calling it a ‘disaster’ and felt ‘humiliated’ when wearing it in public.
Whereas Paulson, 46, caught controversy for wearing the device on the FX series Impeachment: American Crime Story, leading to an apology from the actress.
Secrets of the role: A wardrobe mistress could be seen carrying the bodysuit worn be Renee on set
Controversial: The use of a ‘fat suit’ in Hollywood has become a tricky option for actors recently, with both Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Paulson saying they regret wearing one, amid claims of fat phobia
Transforming: The Bridget Jones star has transformed herself yet again for a new role
Prosthetics: It was clear that Renee was wearing prosthetics for the role of Pam as she showed off her new look onset
Disappearing into character: It also appeared that Renee was wearing a fake bust while on set
In character: Renee is known for her astonishing transformations, including playing Judy Garland which earned her a second Oscar
‘There’s a lot of controversy around actors and fat suits, and I think that controversy is a legitimate one,’ she told the Los Angeles Times. ‘I think fat phobia is real. I think to pretend otherwise causes further harm.’
However, Zellweger – who is known for her ultra-slim frame in Hollywood – decided against using a fatsuit for her Oscar-nominated turn as Bridget Jones on 2001, though she admitted the transformation left her feeling ‘whacked.’
The slender actress famously embarked on a 4,000 calorie-a-day diet to load on 20lbs in just a few months to play Bridget Jones (twice) — then, as swiftly as she gained the curves, her weight plummeted to a sinewy size zero.
Lookalike: Renee has been styled to look like Pam (left) shortly before she was charged with murder
Scenes: The star is pictured coming out of a grocery store onset of the six-episode crime series
Committed: In 2007, Renee addressed the health implications of her yo-yo dieting for the role, admitting: ‘Can I just tell you my body is whacked by the time we finish one of those’
Center of attention: Renee is surrounded by cast and crew while filming the new series
Movie magic: A crew member holds up the suit that has been worn by the actress for the new feature
Ready for winter: It appears the time the series is set is around Christmas
In 2007, she addressed the health implications of her yo-yo dieting for the role, admitting: ‘Can I just tell you my body is whacked by the time we finish one of those.’
‘It doesn’t know what has happened because it thinks there’s supposed to be a baby and there’s no christening.’
She added: ‘Did you see that movie about fast food, Supersize Me? I had a panic attack with all the specialists talking about how bad this is for you, long term, putting on that much weight in short periods of time and they’re all saying, “You must stop this now or you’re going to die’.”
‘It sounds like heaven,’ Zellweger said about putting on weight for the film to play Bridget. ‘For two days it’s bliss and then you’re full, OK? And you can then indulge all your fantasies about over-eating.’
Unbelievable transformation: Renee pictured in April this year (left) and in her new gritty role this week (right)
Renee Zellweger’s famous movie transformations
From Judy Garland to Bridget Jones – Renee Zellweger has proven herself to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading A-list stars over her glittering career that has seen her pick up no less than two Academy Awards.
After finding mainstream success in Hollywood with hits like Empire Records, Jerry Maguire and Me, Myself & Irene under her belt – Renee’s career really took off after impressing audiences with her British accent in 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary.
‘What I love the most about Bridget is her vulnerability and her openness,” Zellweger said about the character in 2016.
Iconic role: She famously gained almost 30lbs to play Bridget Jones for the 2001 romantic comedy – and even said in an interview that the continued yo-yo dieting for the film series had lead to panic attacks
‘I love that she makes it O.K. to be imperfect. That makes me root and cheer for her every time. Like all of us, she has evolved. She is more inclined to listen to her own intuition, and she has matured a little bit.’
However, it was her physical transformation that really caught people’s attention, after she adopted a 4,000-a-day calorie diet to fill her shoes. It ended up scoring her an Oscar nomination.
She then shrunk down to a muscular-slim frame to play the iconic role of Roxy Hart in the musical Chicago.
Iconic: Chicago first hit Broadway in 1975 and there was a lot riding on the success of the movie. Renee later admitted that she found the process ‘terrifying’ though she won plaudits from audiences and critics alike
Chicago first hit Broadway in 1975 and there was a lot riding on the success of the movie.
Renee later admitted that she found the process ‘terrifying’ though she won plaudits from audiences and critics alike.
That same year, she also transformed into the dowdy Ruby Thewes in the epic drama Cold Mountain, that finally won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Another transformation: She played the dowdy Ruby Thewes in the epic drama Cold Mountain, that finally won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2003
She followed that up with impressive roles including starring opposite Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man, and playing Beatrix Potter in Miss Potter.
She had less luck with the thriller Case 39 and the romantic comedy New In Town – with neither vehicles setting the box office alight.
After spending a few years on the outside of a big hit, Renee really pulled it off when she stepped into the heels of Judy Garland, that would win her a second Oscar, for the 2019’s biopic Judy.
What a comeback: Renee won her second Oscar playing Judy Garland in the biopic Judy
‘Fantasies about non-stop chocolate consumption or your fantasies about ordering the pizza and the spaghetti and the garlic bread.
‘Then after a week your glucose levels are going crazy. You’re up and down and all over the place. It doesn’t feel good, and no one wants to hear that, but it’s the truth.’
By the time of the third outing of the film – Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016 – Zellweger said in interviews that director Sharon Maguire wanted Bridget to be in a place in life where she had achieved her ‘ideal weight.’
‘I put on a few pounds. I also put on some breasts and a baby bump,’ she told Vogue at the time, adding that ‘Bridget is a perfectly normal weight and I’ve never understood why it matters so much. No male actor would get such scrutiny if he did the same thing for a role.’
Her most impressive transformation yet? Renee could be taking her acting skills to new heights on the crime drama
Meanwhile, her latest role is far more grisly subject matter compared to Helen Fielding’s fictional romantic.
62-year-old Hupp is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for her friend Faria’s slaying back on December 27 2011.
Hupp was sentenced to life without the possibility for parole in 2019 for luring Louis Gumpenberger, 33, to her home claiming to be a producer for Dateline before shooting him dead in an elaborate plot to divert attention from herself in the Faria case.
Speculation has also swirled that she was responsible for her own mother’s fatal fall in 2013.
Who is convicted killer Pam Hupp?
This year, convicted killer Pam Hupp was finally charged with the 2011 murder of her friend who she is accused of stabbing 55 times, before smearing the woman’s blood around her home in a plot to frame the victim’s husband.
Hupp, who is already serving a life sentence for shooting a disabled man dead in 2016, appeared in court in Lincoln County, Missouri, in July for the first time over the murder of Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Faria.
The 62-year-old is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for Faria’s slaying back on December 27 2011.
Convicted killer Pam Hupp appeared in court in Lincoln County, Missouri, Tuesday morning for the 2011 murder of her friend Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Faria
Prosecutors say Hupp killed Faria four days after persuading her to switch a $150,000 life insurance policy to Hupp.
She then allegedly tried to stage the scene to make it appear that Faria’s husband Russell Faria killed her.
Russell was initially convicted of his wife’s murder in 2013 and sentenced to life in prison. His conviction was overturned in 2015 before he was found not guilty in a retrial where prosecutors argued Hupp was responsible.
Hupp was sentenced to life without the possibility for parole in 2019 for luring Louis Gumpenberger, 33, to her home claiming to be a producer for Dateline before shooting him dead in an elaborate plot to divert attention from herself in the Faria case.
Speculation has also swirled that she was responsible for her own mother’s fatal fall in 2013.
Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Faria and husband Russell Faria. Russell was wrongly convicted of his wife’s murder in 2013
The convicted killer is accused of murdering Faria, her friend and coworker at State Farm, to get her hands on her $150,000 life insurance.
Prosecutors said Hupp was the last person to see Faria alive and knew her friend’s husband was out with friends at the time of the killing.
Faria was suffering from cancer at the time of her murder and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Prosecutors say Hupp gave Faria a ride home from her chemotherapy treatments on December 27 2011, knowing she would be weak and lethargic.
Hupp (left) is already serving a life sentence for shooting Louis Gumpenberger, 33, (right) dead to divert attention from herself in the Faria case
Hupp is seen in a police interview just hours after her friend Faria’s murder
She then allegedly stabbed Faria 55 times as she lay on a couch under a blanket.
Then, Hupp dipped the victim’s socks in her own blood and spread it around the house to frame Russell for killing her her in a domestic assault, prosecutors say.
Russell came home to find his wife’s body lying in a pool of blood and called 911, telling the dispatcher ‘my wife killed herself’ after she had spoken of suicide amid her terminal cancer battle.
The investigation quickly focused in on Russell despite him having an alibi for her murder.
He was charged and, at his murder trial, Hupp became a star witness who helped secure his conviction.
Investigators have since been accused of mishandling the initial investigation and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department last year reached a $2 million settlement with Russell for his wrongful conviction.