Billy Gardell, weight was probably not a major factor in his casting in the long-running sitcom Mike & Molly. But it undoubtedly aided and contributed to his ability to connect so well with the show’s viewers.

However, when he starred in the series, the Swissvale, Pennsylvania native was aware of his weight. He is still the same today, going to tremendous efforts to lose weight and control his type 2 diabetes.

From a young age, Billy Gardell struggled with his weight

Gardell had a long history of health issues and unhealthy behaviors. “I feel like my whole life has been about leaving things,” he said in an interview with Wicked Local Cambridge in July 2019.

From an early age, he was addicted to smoking and drinking. He had, however, given up drinking and smoking and had been sober for 11 years at the time of the interview.

However, he claims that his weight was his final demon. He fought to control his weight, which had risen to 350 pounds at one point.

In an August 2011 interview with the East Valley Tribune, he claimed, “I grew up obese.” He came across an article in Marie Claire that claimed it was disgusting to witness two overweight individuals in a love relationship (like in Mike and Molly).
He said, “Do you think I’ve never heard any fat jokes? I learned a long time ago in life that some individuals are simply not going to like your face. That’s what they’re good at.”

Journey Towards Weight Loss of Billy Gardell

The guest star on Young Sheldon informed the East Valley Tribune that he was working to improve his situation. Even though he still had terrible days, he worked with a nutritionist and a trainer to keep his weight under control.

“Some days I feel like rolling about in a pizza,” he admitted, adding, “I’m trying to keep the good days outnumbering the bad days.”

When Gardell was on the road that summer, he was also learning how to eat properly.

According to Starcasm, during an appearance on Craig Ferguson’s Late Late Show in 2011, Gardell revealed that he has shed 45 pounds and would like to lose another 30 pounds for the benefit of his knees.

In a June 2015 interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Gardell revealed that he had lost 70 pounds and still needed to shed another 80.

A couple of different things started me trying to get a little healthier. I wanted to be around for my child. And my knees can’t take it anymore, man. I’ve got to take some of this weight off. I’ve lost 70, but I still got 80 to go.

The Type-2 Transformation Program is a program that aims to help people with diabetes

Gardell had a routine check-up in mid-2017. He had no idea that his whole battery of blood testing would reveal his type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

After overcoming his fears and apprehensions, he enrolled in Novo Nordisk’s Type 2 Transformation program in March 2020. According to the program’s schedule, the stand-up comic began using the company’s Ozempic injectable non-insulin treatment.

To maintain his weight, Gardell modified his eating habits and began exercising in addition to taking medications. He also enlisted the help of a coach to aid him through his mental adjustments.

He became a paid advocate for Novo Nordisk as a result of his happiness with the program. On February 15, 2021, he appeared in an Ozempic commercial.

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