Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein, 70, recently revealed his impressive 120-pound weight loss, attributing his transformation to the weight-loss medication Zepbound. Fierstein, known for his iconic roles and irreverent humor, jokingly attributed his slimmed-down physique to “drugs” before confirming his use of Zepbound in an interview with Page Six. He reflected on his weight fluctuations throughout his life, stating, “I’ve been skinny before, that’s the sad part. I’ve been skinny, I’ve been fat, I’ve been skinny, I’ve been fat.”
Fierstein explained that he gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic, referring to those years as his “free years” spent primarily on Zoom. During this time, he wrote his autobiography, I Was Better Last Night, published in 2022. He also starred in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl.
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Following the pandemic, Fierstein’s weight reached 310 pounds, prompting him to seek assistance from Zepbound. This injectable medication, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023 for treating obesity, contains tirzepatide. Similar to Mounjaro, Zepbound works by suppressing appetite and enhancing the body’s processing of sugar and fat, leading to weight loss.
Fierstein emphasized that Zepbound has changed his relationship with food. “What’s different is what the drug actually does for you, which is: I don’t feel like I’m dieting,” he explained. “I feel like a normal person. I can go and have dinner with friends and not have to eat every piece of bread on the table, and then not go have ice cream when I’ve done with dinner.” He feels a sense of normalcy and control over his eating habits that he hasn’t experienced before.
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Fierstein revealed that he regained approximately 15 pounds after discontinuing the medication but has since maintained a stable weight of around 200 pounds. He passionately advocates for understanding the complexities of weight management, stating, “People don’t understand that being fat is not a choice. It’s something that your body is out of whack and this puts your body in whack.” He expressed his strong belief in the efficacy of Zepbound in addressing weight-related challenges. Fierstein’s journey highlights the potential of weight-loss medications like Zepbound in helping individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
