Michael Richards and Wayne Knight | Source: Getty Images
Wayne Knight recently opened up about his weight loss journey and its unexpected impact on his career. In a candid video interview shared on November 20, the actor spoke to a TMZ reporter at LAX about his transformation, offering insights into the changes he’s undergone over the years.
Wayne Knight on January 14, 2023, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
When the reporter admitted he almost didn’t recognize Knight, the “Seinfeld” actor humorously replied, “That’s too bad.” Knight then discussed his long weight loss journey, which he described as spanning “over a period of many years.”
Injecting his trademark humor, he quipped that he tried “everything that anyone could ever try, from therapy to drugs to surgery to radiation to being taken by aliens,” adding, “Every single one of them, and one of them worked.” When pressed about which method had been most effective, he admitted, “I don’t know.”
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Wayne Knight on August 18, 2024, in Rosemont, Illinois | Source: Getty Images
Knight acknowledged that weight loss through traditional methods was also part of his strategy, joking, “What do you mean, like, not eating? Yes, it does work.”
He shared that he had previously worked out at the gym but stopped after paparazzi snapped a photo of him looking tired, catching him with a “resting [expletive] face” after a workout. When asked how much weight he’d lost in total over the years, he said he had shed “7,000 pounds.”
Wayne Knight on January 14, 2023, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on his weight fluctuations, Knight said, “I lost 10, I gain 50, I lose 100, I gain 12 [sic].” Comparing his physique from “Jurassic Park” to now, the actor noted a total weight loss of around 110 pounds.
Wayne Knight in Washington D.C. on June 9, 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Despite the health benefits, Knight admitted his new appearance has brought unexpected challenges to his acting career. “It takes time for people to accept you as you are, and then they find out whether or not you can still do things without being fat,” he explained. Knight emphasized the importance of authenticity, saying, “You just have to accept the fact that you can’t sell something that you’re not.”
Wayne Knight on January 14, 2023, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
As the conversation wrapped up, Knight added with a smile, “Give an old skinny guy a shot.” Fans reacted enthusiastically to Knight’s transformation, flooding social media with comments of admiration and humor.
One fan wrote, “Wow, he looks incredible, good for you, Newman!!! ❤️❤️😍” Another praised his iconic work, commenting, “Wow he looks great iconic I still love his role in Jurassic Park and Seinfeld [sic].”
Several fans noted Knight’s apparent happiness in recent appearances. “He looks even more happier then usual good for him [sic],” one user shared. Others couldn’t resist poking fun at his role in “Jurassic Park.”
“He looks amazing. Still mad at him for releasing all those dinosaurs 30 years ago. NEUMAN!!!!!” quipped another.
Wayne Knight as Newman on "Seinfeld" | Source: Getty Images
Another commenter drew parallels between Knight’s weight loss and that of other celebrities, writing, “That’s awesome!!! He’s 3rd person that recently lost over 100 pounds…. Kathy Bates and Jelly Roll. Wonderful news [sic]!!”
Jelly Roll on September 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Knight’s transformation has been a journey of persistence, humor, and hard-earned change. Famous for his portrayal of the scheming Newman on “Seinfeld” and Dennis Nedry in “Jurassic Park,” Knight’s career has been marked by unforgettable roles in both television and film.
However, his evolution from his “pork bellies” days, as he humorously puts it, to a healthier, slimmer version of himself has been as dramatic as his screen performances.
Clare Knight and Wayne Knight on January 14, 2023, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Knight’s weight loss journey began long before his recent revelations at LAX. His challenges with weight dated back to his childhood in Georgia, where food became a source of comfort.
“I used to have a tan from the light in the refrigerator,” Knight once joked, illustrating his lifelong battle with overeating. While this struggle helped define many of his memorable roles, it also presented significant health risks.
Wayne Knight as Newman on "Seinfeld" | Source: Getty Images
In a 2003 interview, Knight recounted experiencing a turning point while filming “Seinfeld.” During a scene where his character was running through a cornfield, he realized he couldn’t catch his breath.
This alarming moment led him to visit cardiologist Dr. Daniel Eisenberg, who warned him that his lifestyle was leading toward diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. “You’re heading towards death,” Knight recalled his cardiologist’s words. “And it scared me, literally to life.”
Wayne Knight as Newman, Michael Richards as Kramer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes, and Jason Alexander as George Costanza in "Seinfeld" | Source: Getty Images
Rather than opting for surgical interventions, Knight chose the “old-fashioned way” to lose weight: eating less and exercising more. However, it wasn’t a solitary effort.
He assembled what he called “Team Knight,” a group of professionals including a cardiologist, trainer, psychiatrist, and support group members who helped him stay accountable. “We got started, like real easy, like coaxing a scared animal,” said fitness expert Marc Vahanian, who worked closely with Knight over the years.
Wayne Knight as Officer Don Orville in "3rd Rock from the Sun" | Source: Getty Images
Knight described the process as gradual but transformative, with Vahanian constantly encouraging him to recognize his progress. “Look down, look how far you’ve come, wow!”
One of the major breakthroughs in Knight’s journey was addressing the psychological aspect of overeating. “I was eating for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger,” he admitted, acknowledging that his relationship with food stemmed from emotional coping.
Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer and Wayne Knight as Newman in "Seinfeld" | Source: Getty Images
With the help of his support group, Knight began to treat his eating habits as an addiction, marking a pivotal shift in his transformation. His efforts at the time culminated in a disciplined lifestyle, including gourmet meal delivery services limited to 1,500 calories a day.
Despite these luxuries, Knight emphasized that the principles of his success — seeking help, consistency, and self-awareness — are universal. “Who would think I could do that? If I can, who can’t?” he stated.
Wayne Knight on September 22, 2008, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
At his heaviest, Knight weighed 327 pounds and often found himself typecast as the “fat funny guy.” He acknowledged this reality, stating, “Actors are a commodity, just like pork bellies and orange juice. And I was pork bellies before, and now I’m orange juice.”
Wayne Knight as Grigor in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," circa February 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Thanks to his hard work and “Team Knight’s” support, the actor tipped at just under 200 pounds back then and was even cast in “Cheaper By The Dozen.” About his progress, the “Space Jam” star said, “I was very pleased. It’s great to be funny and not be fat funny.”
Wayne Knight on August 18, 2024, in Rosemont, Illinois | Source: Getty Images
From battling health risks to confronting emotional challenges, Wayne Knight’s weight loss journey through the years is a testament to resilience and the power of change. While the “porky guy” who played Newman is gone for good, Knight’s enduring talent ensures that his legacy remains firmly intact.
