In March 2019, the star looked worlds away from his Run Fatboy Run days as he unveiled his body transformation, shedding 19lbs (8.6kg) in six months.
Pegg’s personal trainer, Nick Lower, took to X and shared a shot of the entertainer as he flaunted his lean physique and defined six-pack, achieved for his role as a hostage victim in the indie thriller Inheritance.
Lower captioned the upload: “#SimonPegg 6 month body transformation for #InheritanceMovie. The brief for this role was lean, VERY lean. It required a specific body shape + look.”
Simon Pegg underwent a six-month body transformation, losing 19lbs (8.6kg) for his role in Inheritance. Photo / Getty Images
But Pegg’s weight loss, following strength work, circuit training, core exercises and daily 10km runs, sparked division among fans; some were impressed and others thought he went too far.
The Shaun of the Dead alum said his body transformation made his wife, publicist Maureen McCann, cry.
In October 2019, Pegg told the Daily Mail: “I did have to get very, very skinny for a job I did this year, and my wife was in tears about that, because I kind of got down to just skin and bone, so she wasn’t happy about that.”
McCann thought the Hot Fuzz cast member “looked ill”.
In June that year, Pegg told GQ Hype: “The response from that picture was so weird. Some people said, ‘You look ill,’ which is what my wife thought. Others were saying, ‘Well done.’
“And the thing is, it wasn’t meant to be an aspirational thing. It was a snapshot that my trainer took, and I really didn’t expect the furore that followed.
“All I can think of is that people still think of me as that schlubby guy from Shaun Of The Dead.”