7 Amazing Bodies of Mike & Molly Stars

Beyond their on-screen personas, Mike & Molly actors have shared their personal journeys, perspectives, and even some beauty and fitness secrets. From Melissa McCarthy's empowering approach to body image to Billy Gardell's transformation and self-care revelations, each cast member offers unique insights. We also explore how Katy Mixon approaches her craft, Holly Robinson Peete's skincare regimen, Reno Wilson's dual role as an actor and fitness instructor, Swoosie Kurtz's intriguing personality contrast, and Louis Marstillo's unconventional inspirations.

1. Melissa McCarthy

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Melissa McCarthy played the lead role of Molly Flynn, winning an Emmy for it. She shared how she approaches body image to Life & Style. “I truly stopped worrying about it,” she said. “I think there’s something to kinda loosening up and not being so nervous and rigid about it that, bizarrely, has worked. It may be the best thing I’ve ever done. I feel amazing!”

2. Billy Gardell

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Billy Gardell plays Mike Biggs on the show. He talked about his weight loss and body image to Entertainment Tonight. "I think you got to find peace with yourself and at some point, look in the mirror and go you know, ‘it's probably time to take care of you.’ Then I didn't get that note early on,” Gardell said. "So I'm a big believer that when you get it, you get it. It doesn't matter when. As long as you get it.”

3. Katy Mixon

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Katy Mixon played Victoria Flynn on the show. She talked about how she approaches acting to Backstage.com. “For me, all of the technicalities are different, but what I’m grounded in and my background is the same. You approach it the same way where you prepare, and as an actor, you go into a scene: ‘What’s my objective? What’s my want? What’s my tactic? Why am I talking? What do I need out of this person?’ That’s all the same. It’s just you happen to be there for 14 hours filming so many different ways from so many different angles.”

4. Holly Robinson Peete

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Holly Robinson Peete played the recurring role of Christina. She shared her skincare secrets with New Beauty. “I use a couple different kinds of products, but I love Drunk Elephant. They’re an excellent brand. I’m also really into steaming my face, it really feels like you get your pores open. I use lemon or other essential oils in just a pot, and I’ll steam with over it with my hair up in a towel. It’s really simple, and I find it works really well for me. I also exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.”

5. Reno Wilson

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Reno Wilson played the role of Carl McMillian on the show. In addition to being an actor, he is also a fitness instructor. The Los Angeles Times reported that Wilson teaches a spin class. Sometimes, his Mike & Molly co-stars would attend the class. “The show that spins together stays together, wins Emmys together,” he said.

6. Swoosie Kurtz

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Swoosie Kurtz plays Joyce Flynn on the show. She talked about her life and career to Smashing Interviews. “I think I’m an extrovert in front of a camera or on stage, but an introvert in life. It took me a while to figure that out. A lot of actors start out shy and then discover that they can, in front of a group of people, somehow be liberated by playing someone else.”

7. Louis Marstillo

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Actor and writer Louis Marstillo played Vince Moranto on the show. He talked about his approach to his career to Stage Rights. “My acting and writing work are actually influenced by people I knew and experiences I encountered in Buffalo, New York City, and Los Angeles, most of which were not at all connected to the world of entertainment. I draw so much inspiration from walking around the streets of New York City or going to offbeat neighborhoods in Los Angeles such as Atwater Village where I get to observe all different types of people. It is essential to get away from the business and explore real life as that can prove to be the best acting class. Growing up in a blue-collar, Irish neighborhood in Buffalo, New York as a full-blooded Italian, I was always on the outside looking in. I grew up with an older and a younger sister but had no older brother to stick up for me. As an Italian family, we had different food, different holidays, and a whole different perspective on life than our Irish neighbors. If I told a neighborhood kid they were wrong, a fight could ensue. A bunch of Irish guys punching me in the head helped prepare me for the harshness of Hollywood.”

Uncover the off-screen lives of the "Billions" cast, as diverse and captivating as a day at Axe Capital (without the ulcers). Gosh we'll miss this show. Toby Leonard Moore whips up smoothies thicker than Chuck Rhoades' legal briefs. Paul Giamatti reflects on his character's disdain for billionaires, a sentiment not unfamiliar in the halls of power. Maggie Siff discusses navigating Hollywood, much like Wendy navigates the treacherous waters of high finance. Malin Akerman's fitness regime is as varied as Lara Axelrod's survival strategies. And Condola Rashad, like Kate Sacker, seeks truth in a world full of fiscal deceptions. Keep reading for more.

1. Toby Leonard Moore

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Toby Leonard Moore played Bryan Connerty on the first four seasons. He shared some of his go-to meals in an interview with Grub Street. “Breakfast was a smoothie with blueberries, mango, spinach, banana, pea protein, apple, Siggi’s vanilla yogurt, and a bunch of ice. I skipped lunch, because that was a big smoothie AND I knew what was coming up: A Billions watch-a-thon advance screening party.”

2. Paul Giamatti

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Paul Giamatti played the leading role of Chuck Rhoades Jr. He talked about the impact the role has had on him to GQ. “It’s probably affirmed things that I felt anyway. I don't have much fondness for either side of the thing. I probably have less fondness for the billionaires. I think I'm more forgiving of the politicians, in some ways I probably shouldn’t be. The federal attorneys … a lot of those guys really work hard, and they don't make any money, and they're trying to do the right thing, a lot of those guys. The money guys, I don't know. I just don't have a whole lot of fondness for those guys.”

3. Maggie Siff

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Maggie Siff played the role of Wendy Rhoades for the entire six seasons. She talked about double standards in the industry with The Sydney Morning Herald. “I never stepped foot into Hollywood until I was already in my 30s. I feel like as I’ve grown into the industry, it has made more room for women at any age. The amount of material is not nearly as voluminous and diverse as it should be. But I do think the industry is making strides towards more voices.”

4. Malin Akerman

Malin Akerman played Lara Axelrod on the show’s first three seasons. She shared her fitness secrets with Parade. “I love Obé Fitness. It’s an app that has everything from Pilates and yoga to cardio boxing and dance classes. I like to change it up because some days I feel stronger and want to do weights. Other days, I feel like I need to stretch it out. We have a dog and live close to Griffith Park in Los Angeles, so I also go hiking a lot.”

5. Condola Rashad

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Condola Rashad played Kate Sacker for the entire show. Her mother is actress, Phylicia Rashad, and she talked about learning from her mom to BlackDoctor.org. “I think the biggest thing that I always learn from my mother is acting can be about pretending or it can be about finding the truth,” she says. “I choose to find the truth in every character. As long as you never go astray from that, you’ve got it. Acting, while it may not always feel easy, is very simple. It’s not complex. It can be hard to do, the same way meditating can be hard to do, but it’s very simple.”

6. Asia Kate Dillon

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Asia Kate Dillon played Taylor Amber Mason beginning in the second season. Dillon’s character was the first non-binary main character on TV. They talked about the importance of representation to The Guardian. “Visibility for trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people is increasing, and it has increased, thankfully, at a very rapid rate. But there is still so much representation and visibility needed for trans women of colour and gender non-conforming people of colour. For all of the incredible messages I’ve received, about how my visibility is helping people, those people who I follow on social media still receive daily death threats and the most derogatory, inhumane vitriol.”

7. Kelly AuCoin

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Kelly AuCoin played “Dollar” Bill Stearn for the entire series. He talked about doing boxing training for the show to The Ringer. “I think the world finally understands the physical and athletic prowess of Dan Soder and myself. It was a blast. The final product might not show this, but we had about a week’s worth of boxing training, and then we spent about a month choreographing the fight, figuring out what the moves were, honing them, simplifying them, to make it look like something real. We didn’t want it to look like we were trying to be goofy.”

8. Mary Louise Parker

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Mary Louise Parker played the recurring role of George Minchak. She talked about her approach to beauty to The Bare Magazine. “My heart sinks when I see a woman my age who's desperately trying to look five years younger. It’s like, I already was forty five, and fifty. I’ve got to have that. It’s a particular race that I don’t choose to enter. I want to be healthy, I want my kids to be proud of me and know they can rely on me. I want the people I love to feel loved. Period. I don’t need much beyond that.”

9. Julianna Margulies

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Julianna Margulies had a recurring role as Catherine Brant. She talked about the importance of working out consistently to TODAY.com. “Some days it’s hard to get going. But it makes me feel better. It makes my mind feel calm and rested. The rest of my day is a piece of a cake if I’ve gone to the gym. Yesterday I took my dog for a two hour walk. I need to do that.”

10. Piper Perabo

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Piper Perabo played the recurring role of Andy on the last two seasons. She talked about her diet to Into The Gloss. “I started reading a lot about what the great nutritionists eat for breakfast, and one of the nutritionists I like is called Dr. Weil. He said he has fish for breakfast, so I started having fish for breakfast: a broiled piece of salmon with cold green tea and greens. Do yourself a favor and have that for breakfast one day, you feel so good! Super clean protein—it burns evenly so you don’t have that sugar rush, crash, caffeine, rush, crash cycle. You feel good and even for so long. If you have a doughnut and a cup of coffee, you’re going to crash; you’re going to be grouchy.”

In the gripping world of Criminal Minds, these beloved actors brought complex characters to life while maintaining their own unique lifestyles and routines. From dedicated runners to champions of self-acceptance, let's explore the fascinating bodies and minds of some of the show's stars. Discover AJ Cook's newfound love for running, Paget Brewster's embrace of natural beauty, Shemar Moore's diet wisdom, and more intriguing insights into the lives of the talented actors who brought Criminal Minds to life. Explore their fitness routines, self-care practices, and personal philosophies that contribute to their amazing bodies and resilient minds.

1. AJ Cook

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AJ Cook played Jennifer Jareau on the show. She loves to run, and talked about this to Women’s Running. “I’ve run all my life really, but just because it was a good way to get cardio in. I never enjoyed it. Just in the last year or so, I’ve come to love how I feel when I run. It’s that time where I just get to escape from everything—no phone, no computer, I’m not working, I just shut that side of my brain off and let the other side of my brain open up.”

2. Paget Brewster

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Paget Brewster played Emily Prentiss. On Twitter, she opened up about her decision to not dye her hair. "I have felt pressure to dye it, pretend to be 35 again, no thanks," she wrote. "We all have huge issues to address, I know. This is one small battle. But I think all of us have small personal battles. Let’s start by being kind to each other, even when we disagree. Please."

3. Shemar Moore

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Shemar Moore played Derek Morgan on the show. He talked about his approach to diet and exercise to Men’s Health. "Don't get it twisted, whatever you do in the gym—I don't care how far you run or how heavy you lift—getting lean and mean starts in the kitchen with your diet," says Moore. "If you're diet ain't right, you're going to drive yourself crazy in the gym. You might get a little stronger, but you're not going to get prettier.”

4. Rachel Nichols

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Rachel Nichols played Ashley Seaver on the show. In an interview with Smashing Interviews, she talked about the importance of having quality time with her husband. “It’s been crucial and non-negotiable that we spent a lot of time together since we live together and weren’t allowed to go anywhere. But I’m pretty easy. I love to go home to Maine to see my family. I’m actually leaving to go to Maine in the middle of November. I haven’t been home in two years. It’s the longest I’ve ever gone without seeing my parents. So I’d maintain that travel is my favorite thing to do on my down time.”

5. Joe Mantegna

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Joe Mantegna played David Rossi on the show. He talked about his workout secrets with Parade. “For the last 23 years, I’ve lived in a two-story house, and so I often run up the stairs—an opportunity. I spend a good portion of the day going up and down. If I’m in a building that’s three stories, I walk up the stairs. If I’m traveling—and there’s somewhere I can walk—I’ll do that or take a bicycle. I used to go to the gym, but don’t feel the need now. I felt I spent too much time chatting with other people about what we do for a living.”

6. Kirsten Vangsness

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Kirsten Vangsness played Penelope Garcia on the show. She talked about how she approached the reboot to Parade. “I'm not writing an episode because gosh, I love acting. Writing is fun for me, and I find it really pleasurable, but it’s hard for me to do for Criminal Minds because I’m not as good at it as everybody else. I was taking acting classes for six months before I got back here and I was very excited to be like, I want to do this better than I did before. I want to try things and be more.”

7. Aisha Tyler

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Aisha Tyler played Tara Lewis on the show. She described her diet to People as a modified paleo diet. “This means that for the most part, I avoid refined carbohydrates, grains, dairy and sugar. That said, I’m not super strict. I try to be as disciplined as I can during the week so that I can eat what I want on the weekends, which includes pasta, bread and other fun stuff.”

8. Jennifer Love Hewitt

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Jennifer Love Hewitt played Kate Callahan on the show. She tells Hello! Magazine that she loves Palmer’s products. “Palmers is classic. I knew about it before pregnancy. But once I was pregnant I used it, it worked and I loved it. The massage cream for stretch marks and the skin therapy oil. Yes, those are the two Palmers products I've used. I've used it twice a day-morning and night.”

The hit series "FBI" showcases not only gripping crime narratives but also a cast of stars with incredible bodies and unique fitness approaches. From Missy Peregrym's love for athletic roles to Alana de la Garza's trust in her creative process, these actors bring more than just their acting chops to the screen. Sela Ward's poolside laps, Zeeko Zaki's protein-powered transformation, Vedette Lim's desert hikes, and Ebonee Noel's technical dialogue mastery all contribute to their on-screen personas. Even Connie Nielsen's thoughtfully curated diet reflects her commitment to holistic well-being. Join us in exploring the inspiring physical journeys of these "FBI" stars.

1. Missy Peregrym

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2. Alana de la Garza

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Alana de la Garza talked about what she likes about starring in FBIin an interview. “There is something really relaxing about that creative process when you trust the people you work with and you’re able to perform. If you’re able to take words off a page and, luckily, the words that are on our pages are just incredible. The storytellers that we have that are writing these scripts are so good that you can trust that and you’re able to feel creatively complete by trusting the other characters on the show who are also your friends. There is something relaxing about that.”

3. Sela Ward

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Sela Ward loves to swim to stay in shape. She shared this photo on Facebook of herself in the pool after doing laps. She captioned the photo, “Got my laps in for the day! Can someone hand me a towel, please?”

4. Zeeko Zaki

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Zeeko Zaki talked about his weight loss in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. "The craziest part was just being kind of a different person every year. You get like 10 lbs. a year, I wanted to do it slow," Zaki explained. "But my biggest tip and the thing that I walked away from was a little trick I learned from The 4-Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss — 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up. So give it a shot."

5. Vedette Lim

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Vedette Lim spends a lot of time outside. Naturally, she likes to do outdoor workouts to keep herself in shape. Lim posted this photo on Instagram of herself going on a hike in the deserts of Arizona. She captioned it, “A visit to my birth state.”

6. Ebonee Noel

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Ebonee Noel has worked with Dick Wolf in both FBI and Law & Order SVU. She talked about her process with playing her roles in an interview with One Chicago. “I tried to make the technical dialogue be as interesting as possible when delivering it, because I know some of the stuff, I got the script and it’s like what am I talking about here? If I don’t know what I’m talking about, the audience is going to have no idea what I’m talking about. So it’s just fleshing out that jargon and trying to find her joy in figuring these things out.”

7. Connie Nielsen

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In a 2014 interview with Parade, Connie Nielsen talked about her diet. “For breakfast, I eat organic food with high fat content, such as whole milk yogurt, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and a scrambled egg. I cook it in organic grape seed oil for its high omega content. I drink a cappuccino for its dose of milk and the coffee for its taste, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. At lunch, I might eat smoked salmon with a slice of Mozzarella di Bufala, made from the milk of domestic water buffalo, along with avocado.”