Hunks Gaining Weight But Not Losing Roles

Several hunks have gotten heftier over the years -- but they're still drawing hefty audiences and paychecks.

That, points out Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman, is in stark contrast to the norm in Hollywood for female actors, for whom putting on pounds can be a career-breaker.

You might say the big-name male stars are getting even bigger -- in size! Yet, Kauffman notes, it hasn't become a weighty Hollywood issue. Fifty-year-olds are still leading men, and in movies that draw big audiences.

For instance, says Kauffman, hunky Russell Crowe played a Roman warrior in the movie "Gladiator" nine years ago. But as a journalist in the newly-released "State of Play," he's more chunky than hunky.

Says Felicia Fasano, casting director of the Showtime series ""Californication", "The men may be gaining weight because they're a little bit older."

At age 40, Vince Vaughn is, says Kauffman, much heftier than his "Swinger" days. Still, his bulk didn't hurt his box office appeal in last years hit "Four Christmases."

Hugh Grant was the skinny one in "Bridget Jones's Diary" eight years ago. But that's not the case in new movie coming out in December, "Did You Hear About the Morgans?"

Leonardo DiCaprio looks chunkier lately. So does John Travola.

They're getting fatter, says Kauffman, but they're clearly not "starving for roles.

"There's a reason you're a star,' Fasano says, "and I think it's there whether you're 50 pounds heavier or not; you light up the screen. ... They haven't lost their talent, they're still stars.

Both Denzel Washington and John Travolta have taken-on a few more than a little girth in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" compared to their younger, leaner days. But they remain heavy-hitters at the box office.

When that movie comes out, in June, we'll see whether they're worth their weight.