McConaughey slims down for role

Matthew McConaughey spoke with Larry King on "Larry King Now" about an upcoming role that required he lose some weight -- a lot of weight.

On King's program, which airs on Hulu and Ora TV, McConaughey said he's lost 15 pounds so far and has another 15 to lose for his role as Ron Woodruff, a man who contracted the AIDS virus in the 1980s. McConaughey says, "I should not look healthy by the time I'm doing that role."

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As difficult as it can be to drop 30 pounds, McConaughey says he is trying to put a positive spin on his diet. "I'm looking at it as a clense... It's a bit of a spiritual cleanse, mental cleanse."

The actor, who is drinking a lot of tea, insists that the first 10 days are the hardest. "It takes a while for your body to understand that it has to feed off itself and that you're not going to give it something else from the outside."

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The film, titled "The Dallas Buyer's Club," costars two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank. The movie has been in development for years. Other actors that were attached include Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling. The role continues McConaughey's creative resurgance, following a string of forgettable romantic comedies ("Failure to Launch," anyone?).