For All Mankind‘s Michael Dorman on ‘Crazy Rapid’ Weight Gain for Season 2
No one can accuse Michael Dorman of not being fully committed to his craft.
For Season 2 of Apple TV+’s out-of-this-world astronaut drama For All Mankind, the actor’s space cadet character Gordo Stevens emerged from a 10-year time jump with a drinking problem and an extra 40 lbs. to show for it. And, no, Dorman’s formerly slender frame was not augmented through the use of prosthetics.
“Before Season 2 started, [producers] told me they wanted Gordo to be out of shape,” the 39-year-old Patriot vet recalls to TVLine. “And they said, ‘Prosthetics?’ And I said, ‘Nah.’ If we’re gonna do it, I have to do it. So I saw a bunch of doctors and dietitians, and I put on 40 lbs. in a really short amount of time. I [am] usually 170 lbs. I got to over 210. I pushed it as far as I could.”
While Dorman does not regret taking the method approach, he admits it’s unlikely he would do it again. “It was an experience I think I’m good to do once,” he says with a chuckle. “The way that your body becomes toxic — it affects your thoughts and emotions. Everything shifts. And you’re so inflamed and in pain… and the sleeplessness. It’s crazy because it’s so rapid. It’s a whole different chemical shift in your brain.
“I got to the point where I couldn’t see parts of myself,” he continues. “I couldn’t tie my own shoelaces.”
And if that was not challenging enough, midway through Season 2 — as Gordo began conquering his demons — the 40 lbs. had to come back off just as fast. “We had six-week period where I was able to trim down and reverse everything and get back to 170,” he explains.
The whole undertaking “put me in a pretty dark place,” Dorman sighs, adding that it was particularly “tough to have to do it that quick.”
In the end, “You hope that [the authenticity] translates and reads on the screen,” he says, “and adds something to the performance.”
For All Mankind‘s Season 2 finale premieres Friday morning on Apple TV+.
That was real?! Damn. Wow.
Throughout all the season I was asking myself “is this prosthetics or real?” and DAMN! That’s dedication. It really paid off.
That was a pretty unnecessary thing to do. I just assumed it was prosthetics!
You’re right, wanting to bring true authenticity to your character you’re being paid extremely well to portray is always ‘pretty unecessary’. I’m guessing you were equally impressed by John Travolta in “Hairspray” and DiCaprio as Hoover. Yeesh!
Exceptional dedication to his craft as an actor!’ Great acting/ transitioning into heavy set character!! Bravo!!
I wanted to know if they filmed the later scenes before he packed on the pounds (extremely bold move). I was pleased to find out that Michael was able to return to a healthy weight. Well done, sir!
Proud of you for making your character so believable for us. I love Gordo and was genuinely concerned about his health.. then you reversed it and I was so happy for him! You really went the extra mile to make him real for us. Outstanding!