'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' Mom Loses 250 Pounds

Woman who played Bonnie Grape in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape'

Darlene Cates: Mom From ‘Gilbert Grape' Shows Off Weight Loss

Darlene Cates, the overweight actress who played the mom in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, has some impressive weight loss news.

Cates, who acted as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp's mother in the 1993 film, has lost 250 pounds.

She's hoping that her dieting efforts will land her some acting roles again and plans to lose another 100 pounds.

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At the time she starred as Bonnie Grape in the film, she weighed 575 pounds, so she's dropped almost half her size.

What lead to her weight loss? Cates was diagnosed with diabetes and still can't walk following "four surgeries and three near-death experiences," but she's inspired to keep on going.

She's motivated to get out of her home, telling the Dallas Morning News, "I'm ready to blow this joint."

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She hopes to act again, sharing, "I'm not opposed to doing science fiction or comedy, but there has to be respect. I refuse to be the joke, the fat woman joke, in any movie. I've turned down roles."