For more than two decades, superhero movies have dominated Hollywood—and so have the jaw-dropping physical transformations of the actors who star in them. From lean to muscle-bound in just months, these dramatic changes have fueled speculation about what it really takes to achieve a “superhero body.”
Actor Frank Grillo, 60, is the latest to weigh in on the discussion. Known for roles in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Purge series, and HBO Max’s Peacemaker, Grillo says steroids and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are far more common in Hollywood than many stars admit.
Grillo’s Perspective
In a recent episode of Men’s Health’s Strong Talk vodcast, Grillo said bluntly:
“Those guys don’t walk around looking one way for six months of the year, and then all of a sudden, they have 35 pounds of muscle on them. We all know what they’re doing. They might not want to say it, but they all do it.”
He specifically mentioned drugs like Anavar and Deca, which are now available by prescription and can be monitored by doctors.
Grillo also shared that he personally began testosterone therapy six years ago, under medical supervision, after learning his levels were low. He says the treatment has helped him recover more quickly, sleep better, and maintain his mood.
“I’m 60, I train every day, and I’m not competing in professional sports,” Grillo explained. “I’m not cheating at anything except aging.”
The Health Risks and Concerns
While Grillo sees no issue with actors using steroids to look the part, medical experts caution that open conversations like these can send the wrong message—especially to young people.
“When celebrities and influencers openly discuss steroid use, it can normalize these substances for kids and teens who are already under pressure to look muscular,” says Jason Nagata, MD, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. “For some, it can push them toward risky behaviors, disordered eating, or an unhealthy obsession with getting bigger.”
Trainers also warn about unrealistic expectations. “When celebrities claim to be natural when they’re not, they create a false sense of what’s possible,” says Andrew Heffernan, C.S.C.S. “Outside of very athletic teenagers, gaining 35 pounds of muscle in a few months without drugs just doesn’t happen.”
A Complicated Conversation
The debate over steroid use in Hollywood is unlikely to end anytime soon. As superhero blockbusters continue to dominate theaters, questions remain: Should actors be more transparent about the methods behind their transformations? And what responsibility do they have when their physiques influence millions of fans?
For now, Grillo’s candid remarks add fuel to a growing conversation about body image, performance enhancement, and honesty in Hollywood.
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