Frank Grillo is pulling back the curtain on how he maintains his physique — and how many actors prepare for on-screen roles.
The 60-year-old Superman actor appeared on Men’s Health’s Strong Talk podcast on Sept. 10, and candidly discussed previously using steroids to help with his physical transformations for superhero films.
During the episode, he explained that six years ago, he learned his testosterone levels were low and he began using replacement therapy, noting that the medication has helped him improve his recovery and sleep habits, as well as make him feel happier.
“There’s nothing wrong with using those drugs,” Grillo said. “But let’s be honest about it, that’s all. People will say, because I take testosterone, ‘You’re a cheater.’ I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m 60, and I train every day.’ ”
“I’m an actor. I’m not the linebacker for the New York Giants. I’m not a competitive Olympic wrestler. I’m not playing for the New York Knicks,” he continued.
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“I’m not cheating at anything except aging,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with [it]. You get the role in the superhero movie, and you want to look like a superhero, and you take some Anavar, God bless you.” (Anavar, formally known as Oxandrolone, acts like the hormone testosterone, and is used “to help maintain muscle, relieve bone pain, or promote weight gain in certain people,” WebMD.)
“You’re gonna go on a cycle or two and you’re gonna look a certain way for a certain role,” he remarked.
He continued and claimed that other actors who have quickly developed different physiques are likely also taking steroids. “They do it by, you know, taking Anavar and Deca and all the things that now are prescribable by doctors, and which is good because at least it can be monitored by a medical professional,” he said. (Deca, formally known as Nandrolone, is “an anabolic steroid used to treat anemia, osteoporosis and other conditions,” per the Cleveland Clinic.)