When we think of Dave Bautista, it’s hard not to picture his imposing, muscular frame from his days in the WWE.
However, fans were taken aback recently when he showed off a dramatically slimmer physique.
The former professional wrestler, now a prominent actor, has shed an impressive four stone for his latest role as a seasoned assassin in the film The Killer’s Game.
Red Carpet Reveal
Bautista’s new look made a splash during his appearance at the Toronto Film Festival.
At the premiere of The Last Showgirl on September 6, the 55-year-old actor looked noticeably leaner.
In an interview with YouTuber Chris Van Vliet, he revealed, “I’m getting super trimmed; this is probably the lightest I’ve been since I was 19 years old.”
A Journey of Transformation
Bautista embarked on this weight loss journey after wrapping up his role in the 2022 M.
Night Shyamalan thriller Knock At The Cabin.
Reflecting on his past, he admitted that he’s now lighter than he was during his early wrestling career when he wrestled under the name Deacon Batista.
“The heaviest I’ve ever been was 370 lbs,” he shared.
“When I started Deacon, I was about 325 lbs.
Throughout most of my wrestling career, I was around 290 lbs. Now I’m about 240 lbs.
For Knock at the Cabin, I was at 315 lbs, and that’s when the nightmare started.”
A Glimpse into His Past
Bautista recently posted a throwback photo on Instagram, showing himself at 16 without any tattoos.
This was a stark contrast to his current look, which is covered in ink, including symbols of the Greek and Philippine flags to honor his heritage.
The throwback picture, taken during a challenging period of his youth, revealed a simpler time before he became a professional wrestler and actor.
Overcoming a Tough Childhood
Bautista’s early years were marked by hardship and crime.
Growing up in the tougher neighborhoods around Washington, DC, he witnessed disturbing events, including a murder on his front lawn.
He recalls, “When I was a little boy, a corpse was discovered on my front lawn, and I watched a shooting victim die in the street in front of my home.”
By his teenage years, Bautista was often in trouble, skipping school and getting arrested for minor offenses.
“By the time I was 13, I started getting into a lot more trouble,” he admitted.
“I was stealing because all my friends were doing it. It was no big deal. It just wasn’t out of the norm.”
Rising Above Adversity
At 17, Bautista found himself on his own and drifted into various jobs, including working as a nightclub bouncer.
His career took a turn when he was involved in a brawl at work, leading to another arrest.
However, his fortunes changed in his 30s with a successful wrestling career, eventually becoming a four-time World Heavyweight Champion.
By the mid-2000s, Bautista started to build his acting career, culminating in his breakout role as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians Of The Galaxy in 2014.
This role marked the beginning of a lucrative run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and opened doors to other projects, including Knives Out and Dune.
Looking Ahead
Today, Bautista is not slowing down.
He’s gearing up for a variety of new projects, including portraying Beowulf in the upcoming film Grendel, which offers a fresh perspective on the classic Old English epic by focusing on the story from the villain’s viewpoint.
As Bautista continues to evolve both personally and professionally, it’s clear that his journey is far from over.
TDPel Media
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!