Rosie O'Donnell Opens Up About Mounjaro Weight Loss, Penny Marshall's Body Criticism on 'A League of Their Own'

The Weight of Hollywood

Rosie O'Donnell's recent revelations shine a light on the intense body scrutiny that celebrities — especially women — have faced for decades. During her interview with PEOPLE, O'Donnell recalled that her biggest concern before appearing on late-night shows wasn't her comedy set — it was whether she looked fat.

"When I would do late night, my biggest concern wasn't my set — it was, did I look fat?" she said. "The first time I did a talk show, it was Pat Sajak and people were saying 'You were so good,' and I'd go, 'How did I look in that blazer?' I wasn't even heavy then."

The pressure started early. On the set of *A League of Their Own*, director Penny Marshall bluntly told her: *"Rosie, I want you to lose 20 pounds."* O'Donnell shot back with her signature wit, but the comment clearly stayed with her for decades.

A Lifesaving Change

O'Donnell credits Mounjaro — a GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to Ozempic and Wegovy — with transforming her health and relationship with her body. She described losing "a pound or two a month for three years."

"I really wish I could do commercials for Mounjaro and they would drop the price instead of paying me," she said. "Because when I see people struggling with obesity, I want to say I know the shame that we carry and the humiliation that is dealt to people who are overweight."

She also underwent a $90,000 deep plane facelift, a procedure she was completely upfront about.

Not Everyone's Experience Is the Same

While O'Donnell's story is overwhelmingly positive, other celebrities have reported mixed results with GLP-1 drugs. Mayim Bialik wrote about suffering "explosive, uncontrollable diarrhea" and "sneezing attacks" after taking them, while Jenny Mollen reported experiencing heavy bleeding and hospitalization.

Regional Trends

Conversations around GLP-1 medications have surged globally, with peak search interest in the US and UK occurring in cycles tied to New Year resolutions and summer body prep. In the US, interest spikes twice a year — in January and May — while the UK sees a single peak around January.

What is Mounjaro?\nA: Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes, which has become widely used for weight loss due to its effectiveness in reducing appetite and promoting weight reduction.\n\nQ: How much weight did Rosie O'Donnell lose?\nA: She lost nearly 60 pounds over approximately three years, losing "a pound or two a month."\n\nQ: Did Penny Marshall really tell Rosie O'Donnell to lose weight?\nA: Yes. O'Donnell confirmed in her PEOPLE interview that Marshall told her to lose 20 pounds on the set of *A League of Their Own*.\n\nQ: Are GLP-1 drugs safe?**\nA: While many users report positive results, side effects can include gastrointestinal issues, nausea, and in rare cases, more severe reactions. Any medication should be taken under medical supervision.

Rosie O'Donnell's journey is a powerful reminder of how complicated body image can be — even for the rich and famous. Do you think Hollywood's standards for body image are finally changing? Have you or someone you know tried GLP-1 medications? Share your thoughts below!\n\nShare this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!\n\n<div class="social-share-buttons">\n Share on Twitter/X | \n Share on LinkedIn | \n Share on Reddit\n</div>\n\n*Do you think this trend of celebrities being open about weight loss drugs will last? Let us know!*