The size police are at their most critical when it comes to making it in entertainment I think. The rules are clear – fat people aren’t stars! But over the last couple of days, just while watching TV, I realized that a fair few BHMs have broken the mould and made their mark in the industry. And while I did make a list of Famous BBWs once, I think some of the Big Men in Entertainment deserve a mention too!
- Oliver Hardy
photo by sophiea
One of the most well-known comedians of all time and the (physically) larger half of the legendary silent film era double act – Laurel and Hardy. This funny man definitely knew how to bring on the laughs.
- Luciano Pavarotti
photo by famouti
One of “The Three Tenors”, and without a doubt, one of the most famous opera maestros. The Italian host of the annual Pavarotti and Friends charity events, had the audience enthralled with his trademark high Cs no matter where he went.
- Ruben Studdard
He is the American R&B and gospel singer who defeated Clay Aiken in 2003 and became the 2nd American Idol. He proved that even in a size-phobic entertainment world, talent was bigger than size.
- Jackie Gleason
Another multi-talented BHM is Jackie Gleason achieving fame as a comedian, musician and actor. His briefly-screened ‘The Honeymooners’ is considered an American comedy classic! Interesting trivia: Apparently, Jackie Gleason needed to accommodate for his weight fluctuation, and as a result had three different wardrobes.
- Meat Loaf
The rock musician/actor who crooned “I would do anything for love but I won’t do that” even derives his pseudonym from his meat loaf-like size.
- Randy Jackson
photo by joeshlabotnik
He isn’t just a judge on American Idol but a Grammy Award winning musician as well. He is definitely big on the talent – singer, bassist, manager, record producer, talent show judge…this man sure has his hands full!
- Michael Moore
photo by farlane
You know him for being the producer-director of Academy award winning movies like Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko. He’s also a well known political commentator.
- John Goodman
photo by alan-light
He’s done TV commercials, Broadway and of course, ‘Roseanne’ and his talent has brought him Golden Globes and Emmys. He’s not just a character actor but a pretty great leading man as well.
- Chris Farley
The Saturday Night Live comedian who’s had us in splits on more than one occasion. He was even meant to be the voice of Shrek, but the role went to Mike Myers due to his death.
- Drew Carey
Stand-up comedian extraordinaire and host of the Drew Carey show and Whose Line Is it Anyway? I’m sure he needs no introduction because this big man is right up there with the best.
Bonus BHM: Marlon Brando
I wasn’t too sure about mentioning him because he did start out as an incredibly thin actor. But he did become a BHM later in his career, splitting 18 pairs of pants while filming ‘One Eyed Jacks.’
Of course I couldn’t list them all. (I tried to stick to just 10!), but do add to the list and tell me who else I should have mentioned!
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What about the newest BHM to make it big? Neal E Boyd who won America's Got Talent!!!!
You also mentioned Mike Myers in the Chris Farley entry, but he deserves one of his own, I think...Only Mike Myers can make Union Jack underpants sexy!