Matthew McConaughey's Spiritual Journey to Play AIDS Victim

After receiving two Indie Spirit awards earlier this week for his work in Magic Mike and Killer Joe, Matthew McConaughey's acting career is definitely on an upswing, even as his weight is dwindling. Photos of the gaunt actor have surfaced over the past months as McConaughey prepares for his role as Ron Woodruff in the fact-based drama Dallas Buyers Club.

Woodruff was a drug-addicted, homophobic straight Texas electrician who, in 1986, was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and given 30 days to live. Woodroof eventually began smuggling alternative drugs into the U.S. to help himself and other AIDS patients. Although he added years to his life he also was launched into a battle with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which was determined to keep the drugs out of the country.

To physically inhabit the challenging character, McConaughey has endured a strict diet, dropping 40 pounds from his normal weight of 183. "I'm eating fresh fish," the actor tells The Daily Beast. I'm not being starved. If anything, it's as much a spiritual journey as it is physical."

Dallas Buyers Club, which is currently being filmed in New Orleans by director Jean-Marc Vallee, has attracted a stellar cast, including Jennifer Garner, Denis O'Hare, and Jared Leto, who portrays a cross-dressing AIDS patient.