Andy Richter, 59, Opens Up About His Weight-Loss Journey and Choosing Health on His Terms
Learn why he opted out of GLP-1 drugs and why DWTS helps him stay healthy
Whether you know Andy Richter, 59, from The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, his podcast, SiriusXM’s The Three Questions with Andy Richter or Dancing With the Stars Season 34, the comedian and actor has been in the spotlight for decades. But lately, he’s been candid about something that’s plagued him for years: the relentless ways people have insulted his weight. In a recent podcast, Richter opened up about how the constant comments have affected him—and we spoke to an expert about what every person should know about the real harm of weight shaming.
Richter considered GLP-1 drugs for weight loss
In the November 4 episode of Richter’s podcast, he voiced his frustration at the name-calling and unwanted attention he has received regarding his weight over the years. “One of my standard lines is, ‘I didn’t know there were so many ways to call someone fat,’” Richter said. “‘Cherubic. Rotund.’ It was galling to me at the time.”
This isn’t the first time Richter has addressed his weight or the public speculation around it. In a May 6 episode of his podcast featuring Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet, Richter shared that he previously considered GLP-1 medications to support weight loss.
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“I actually have investigated getting on some of these types of drugs,” Richter told Stonestreet. “I’m not diabetic, I’m not pre-diabetic, but I obviously have weight to lose and I have sleep apnea, which could or couldn’t be—I’m sure being overweight doesn’t help with sleep apnea.”
Ultimately, Richter said he opted out of pursuing GLP-1 medication due to financial constraints. “I’ve investigated it and it’s just, it’s cost-prohibitive to me at this point,” Richter said. “They’re so expensive. And my insurance is not covering them.” (Discover how to get Ozempic for less.)
Why Richter chose movement to support his health
Richter has instead been focusing on movement. In a September 24th appearance on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, Richter talked about the thought process behind his decision to join the current season of Dancing With the Stars.
“I didn’t want to do it,” Richter said. “But then I thought, ‘No, I need to do this. I need to do this just to get moving.’ And it got me to go to the gym and do cardio, which I loathe. I started to do a lot more stretching to prepare myself.”
The damage weight shaming does to your health
As many of us know all too well, unwanted comments like Richter experienced are not harmless. They can have real psychological effects.
“Studies show that people who are victims of fat shaming have lower self-esteem and higher incidences of anxiety, depression, suicide and eating disorders,” says Jennifer Brown, MD, a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine. “People with obesity often internalize the negative comments and begin to see themselves as lazy or lacking in willpower. The stress of constant fat shaming raises cortisol levels, which leads to more weight gain. Weight stigma makes the problems associated with obesity much more severe.”
Richter also noted that his weight often overshadows the rest of his work and identity in the public eye. “They say nothing about my right-handedness, about my Caucasian [ethnicity], about my blue eyes,” Richter said jokingly. “They don’t say anything about my good, strong teeth, but they have to mention that.”
Why commenting on someone’s weight doesn’t help
“Physical appearance is the first thing most people notice, and many people draw conclusions about a person’s character based on that appearance,” says Dr. Brown. “The physical appearance of public figures is even more noticeable since they are so visible to the public. Many people have preconceived notions about what body type a public figure should have, unfortunately.”
But at the end of the day, we all know that “fat shaming is not helpful, and in fact, can actually cause more mental stress and weight gain,” says Dr. Brown. “If someone is overweight or obese, they are usually well aware of their condition.”
Richter’s health journey reminds us that what matters most is choosing what feels right for you, whether that’s movement, medication or simply refusing to let others’ comments dim your light. “People are more than their physical appearance, and their weight does not speak to their character,” adds Dr. Brown. Fans interested in keeping up with Richter can do so via his Instagram, podcast or by tuning in to Dancing With the Stars on Tuesdays on ABC.
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