Body Building

Chris Hemsworth’s body building helps him acquire hunky movie roles. People Magazine anointed him Sexiest Man Alive in 2014. I cannot get named Sexiest Man in an Empty Room. Hemsworth says, “Bodybuilding is seen as a vanity.” He mused that he would “probably be called a serious actor” if he dieted down to an unhealthy skinny weight for a role. Many actors have gone against type, e.g., Charlize Theron (Monster) and a bald overweight Tom Cruise (Tropic Thunder). Tom Hanks did yo-yo dieting for Cast Away. Maybe Hanks is a more serious actor for doing it or maybe he did it because he is a more serious actor. Either way, Hemsworth should just accept the vanity of body building. I myself am a very vain person. I had a crippling fear of inserting contact lenses in my eyes but vanity was a stronger force. I still wear them 55 years later because at age 73, they help me pass for 71. I take them out when I sleep because I have perfect vision in my dreams. I tried body building but did not have access to the expensive equipment and trainers used by Hemsworth, so all I did was pull a few leg muscles. I am too vain to cite other examples of my vanity but am in no position to judge Hemsworth. I remember watching my wife back someone into a verbal corner where he admitted to being a racist. Hopefully it was a turning point in his evolution but a terrible thing to own. Being vain seems different. It does not hurt others. You can own it. Most everyone is vain. Otherwise I would be more embarrassed about my own vanity.