“The Machinist” wasn’t the only time Bale shed some serious weight to become another person. In between the second and third “Batman” movies, Bale again had to lose a large amount of weight to play a heroin-addicted boxer in 2010’s “The Fighter.”

The movie was based on the HBO documentary “High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lovell” which follows once-promising boxer Dicky Ecklund and his struggles with addiction. According to the New York Daily News, Bale starved himself to look like an emaciated drug addict and took supplements and exercised to maintain lean muscle, dropping to 122 pounds. The role earned Bale an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, his only Academy Award.

For other films, Bale had to tip the scale in the other direction. For the role of 1970’s conman Irving Rosenfeld in the 2013 crime drama “American Hustle,” Bale topped out at 228 lbs. and even shaved his head. In 2018’s “Vice” Bale put on 40 pounds to play former Vice President Dick Cheney. “I ate lots of doughnuts, a whole lot of cheeseburgers, and whatever I could get my hands on,” Bale told People of his weight gain plan. “I literally ate anything that came my way.” Both roles garnered Bale Best Actor Oscar nominations.

As impressive as Bale’s transitions have been through the years, it’s something that might come to an end. Men’s Health examined the impact of all of Bale’s transformations and why it likely won’t continue. The actor is aware how punishing the process has been on his body. Bale said:

“I’ve become a little bit more boring now because I’m older and I feel like if I keep doing what I’ve done in the past I’m going to die. So, I’d prefer not to die. I can’t keep doing it. I really can’t. My mortality is staring me in the face.”