The PED Epidemic in Hollywood
In the past 30 years, there’s been a noticeable shift in Hollywood, especially when it comes to action films and superhero movies. The actors portraying these characters are often required to embody a level of physical perfection that’s nearly impossible to achieve naturally, especially in the short time frames given for movie productions. Actors like Hugh Jackman, Chris Hemsworth, and Kumail Nanjiani have all undergone dramatic body transformations to prepare for their roles, and while they often credit rigorous training and strict diets, many experts (including myself) are skeptical about the "natty" claims, especially given the limitations of natural hormone cycles and muscle growth.
Dr. Todd Schroeder, an associate professor at USC, pointed out that “over half of Marvel’s stars use some form of performance-enhancing drug (PED) to get the physiques they want.” He estimates that 50 to 75% of actors in superhero films use PEDs like anabolic steroids or human growth hormone (HGH) to achieve these extreme body transformations. While no actor openly admits to PED use, the rapid muscle gains seen in many actors, especially those approaching middle age, raise serious questions about whether it’s possible to attain such physiques naturally.
For example, Hugh Jackman’s transformation into Wolverine over the years has been nothing short of dramatic. When he first appeared in 2000’s X-Men, his body was lean but far from the chiseled, veiny physique that became his signature look in later films like The Wolverine and Logan. Jay Campbell, the author of The Testosterone Optimization Therapy Bible, stated that there’s “zero chance” Jackman could achieve that level of definition at his age without PEDs, pointing out that he exhibits the “chiseled appearance of an intelligent androgen user.”
Similarly, Chris Hemsworth claimed to have gained 40 pounds of muscle in just five months for Thor: Love and Thunder. Such rapid gains are virtually impossible without chemical assistance, especially for someone nearing 40. Experts say the human body can only naturally gain between 8-15 pounds of muscle in a year, even with the most rigorous diet and training.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Following in Arnold’s Footsteps
One of the most iconic examples of an actor following the PED-fueled path to superstardom is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Much like Arnold Schwarzenegger before him, Johnson went from a world of professional sports and bodybuilding into Hollywood, bringing with him a physique that would become larger-than-life—both literally and figuratively. Johnson’s story is a perfect example of how PEDs can take someone from athletic to superhuman in appearance, a transformation that continues to earn him multimillion-dollar contracts and high-profile film roles.
Johnson’s journey began as a college football player at the University of Miami, where he experienced a series of injuries that sidelined his NFL dreams. From there, he transitioned into professional wrestling, where his physical size and charisma made him a fan favorite. His rapid muscle gain—going from an athletic build to a near cartoonishly muscular physique—was the result of PED use, something that’s become an open secret in the fitness community.
What makes Johnson’s case even more fascinating is how his PED-fueled transformation has only enhanced his Hollywood career. Films like Fast & Furious and Black Adam depend on Johnson’s imposing physical presence, and his use of PEDs has been rewarded with an endless stream of lucrative film deals. Like Schwarzenegger before him, Johnson’s success is built not only on his acting ability but on the myth of his body—something that PEDs have made possible.
The Role of Androgens in Muscle Mass and Recovery
To understand why these transformations are so suspect, it’s essential to explore how androgens—like testosterone and anabolic steroids—affect muscle mass and recovery. Androgens are a group of hormones that regulate male characteristics, including muscle growth. Testosterone is the most well-known androgen, and it plays a crucial role in promoting muscle protein synthesis, which is the process by which the body repairs and builds muscle after a workout.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, designed to maximize the muscle-building properties of this hormone. When someone takes anabolic steroids, their body can produce far more protein than normal, leading to faster muscle growth and more efficient recovery from workouts. Therefore, individuals using PEDs can gain muscle mass at a much faster rate than those who rely on natural training alone.
Normally, the body’s natural testosterone production declines after puberty, which makes it more difficult to build and maintain muscle as one ages. For men in their 30s and 40s, this decline becomes more pronounced, making the muscle gains seen in actors like Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth especially improbable without chemical enhancement. By artificially increasing testosterone levels, PED users can bypass this natural limitation, achieving muscle mass and low body fat levels that are virtually impossible to sustain without hormonal assistance.
The Rise of TRT: A Billion-Dollar Industry
In recent years, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has become a booming industry, marketed as a solution for men experiencing the effects of low testosterone, or “Low T.” TRT involves administering synthetic testosterone to bring a man's hormone levels back to a youthful range. While TRT can be medically necessary for men with genuinely low testosterone levels, it has increasingly become a way for otherwise healthy men to maintain or build muscle mass beyond what’s naturally possible.
The pharmaceutical industry has played a significant role in expanding TRT, turning it into a billion-dollar business. Clinics offering TRT have popped up across the country, often offering testosterone to men whose levels are within a normal range but who want to enhance their physiques. This has created a massive revenue stream for both pharmaceutical companies and doctors, who can prescribe testosterone treatments to men seeking an edge in the gym or the boardroom.
While testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone, administering it in high doses has profound effects on muscle growth, recovery, and body composition. It’s no surprise that TRT has become especially popular among actors, athletes, and even everyday men looking to turn back the clock on aging. However, the long-term risks of TRT, such as increased risk of heart disease and hormone imbalances, are often downplayed in favor of its short-term benefits.
The Influence of Bodybuilding on Hollywood
The modern trend of PED use in Hollywood can trace its roots back to the bodybuilding community, which was the first to popularize the use of anabolic steroids to achieve massive, shredded physiques. In the 1970s and 1980s, bodybuilding icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Lou Ferrigno (the original Hulk), revolutionized the way the public viewed muscularity. These bodybuilders pushed the boundaries of what the human body could look like, using steroids to build physiques that were previously thought unattainable.
Schwarzenegger’s transition from bodybuilding to Hollywood marked a turning point in how actors were expected to look in action films. His muscular physique became the standard for leading men in action movies, setting the bar for what audiences expected from their on-screen heroes. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone followed in Schwarzenegger’s footsteps, further popularizing the hyper-muscular action hero archetype that dominated the 1980s and 1990s.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a direct heir to this legacy, with his physique representing the modern evolution of what Schwarzenegger started. Johnson’s use of PEDs has only enhanced his marketability, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the world. His journey from college football player to pro wrestler to Hollywood superstar mirrors Schwarzenegger’s path and illustrates how PEDs have become an essential part of the action-hero formula.
Jeff Bezos: A Case Study in PED Transformation
The influence of PEDs isn’t confined to Hollywood. A perfect example of how PEDs can change a man’s physique—and his life—is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Once the archetypal tech nerd, Bezos underwent a dramatic physical transformation that turned him from a bookish, minivan-driving CEO into a jacked, alpha-male figure. A simple Google search reveals the extent of Bezos’s physical transformation, with his new physique being the result of what many speculate to be PED use.
Bezos’s transformation is a cautionary tale about the power of PEDs. His new physique coincided with a complete overhaul of his personal life, including a high-profile divorce and a relationship with news anchor Lauren Sanchez. As Bezos bulked up and took on a more aggressive, superhero-like persona, his entire image shifted—from the geeky CEO to a billionaire playboy.
This drastic shift is a reminder of how powerful PEDs can be, not only in changing a man’s body but in altering his entire identity. PEDs offer more than just muscle gains; they come with psychological and lifestyle changes that can have profound effects on a person’s life. In Bezos’s case, the physical transformation was accompanied by a complete shift in how he was perceived, both by himself and by the world.
The Ethics of PED Use in Hollywood and Beyond
There’s an ethical question that comes with this trend. Should actors, influencers, and elites like Jeff Bezos be transparent about their use of PEDs? On one hand, it’s their body and their choice. But on the other, they hold significant influence over public perceptions of what a healthy, fit body should look like. When these individuals promote their physiques without acknowledging the use of PEDs, they perpetuate a false narrative. This deception not only misleads their audience but also contributes to body image issues, particularly among young men who feel inadequate when they can’t achieve the same results naturally.
This issue is compounded by the fact that PED-enhanced bodies are now the standard in Hollywood, fitness, and even the corporate elite. Influencers on social media, and actors in blockbuster movies project an image of unattainable perfection—one that is increasingly achieved through chemical means. As a result, young men and women are turning to PEDs in an attempt to emulate their idols, often without fully understanding the risks.
The Health Risks of PED Use
Despite their effectiveness, PEDs come with a host of risks. Prolonged use of anabolic steroids can lead to cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes. Human Growth Hormone (HGH), while perceived as a less harmful alternative, can still cause insulin resistance, joint pain, and even increase the risk of certain cancers. Additionally, both steroids and HGH disrupt the body’s natural hormone production, often leading to long-term hormonal imbalances that can be difficult to reverse.
Another significant risk is addiction. Many users become dependent on PEDs to maintain their physique, as stopping use often leads to the rapid loss of muscle gains. This creates a cycle of dependency that can wreak havoc on the body’s endocrine system. Even so, the immediate physical benefits of PEDs are often enough to outweigh the long-term health risks for those chasing perfection in Hollywood or the fitness industry.
Take Away:
As someone who has spent decades helping clients achieve their best physiques naturally, it’s frustrating to see the widespread use of PEDs in Hollywood, the fitness industry, and now even in the corporate world. Not only does it create unrealistic expectations for everyday people, but it also puts countless young men and women at risk of physical and psychological harm.
It’s time for more transparency in these industries. If actors, influencers, and public figures are using PEDs to achieve their physiques, they should be honest about it. This doesn’t mean glorifying drug use, but rather acknowledging the reality of what it takes to achieve these extreme transformations. By being transparent, they can help shift the focus back to health, sustainability, and realistic goals, rather than promoting an image that is unattainable for most of the population.
Hollywood and the fitness industry need to step up and address the PED epidemic, not only for the health of those in the industry but for the millions of young people influenced by their images. The pursuit of health and fitness should be about longevity, wellness, and realistic goals—not unattainable physiques built through potentially dangerous drug use.
In the end, PEDs work—there’s no denying that. They help people build muscle, look younger, and perform at a higher level. But they also come with costs—both to the individual and to society as a whole. From Hollywood stars to tech billionaires, the PED-fueled transformation is more than just physical—it’s a shift in how we define success, masculinity, and worth. And while the effects of these drugs may be transformative in the short term, the long-term consequences can be life-altering in ways far beyond the superficial.
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
