Matthew McConaughey’s photo has been making the rounds on the web lately, and not because women want to share the image of his cut abs.

The normally buff actor has lost 30 pounds in order to portray a man with AIDS in “The Dallas Buyers Club”; the character is loosely based on Ron Woodruff, who was diagnosed in the early days of the disease and was a huge proponent of the only FDA-approved drug to be used as treatment. Woodruff reportedly helped other AIDS patients get access to the drug, and even smuggled it and other treatments into the U.S.

The 42-year old actor recently spoke about his dramatic weight loss, which has taken fans by surprise, and said he achieved it mostly by fasting.

“It’s a bit of a spiritual cleanse, mental cleanse,” he said. “I’m drinking a lot of tea.”

“The Dallas Buyers Club” debuts sometime in 2013 and also stars Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto.

Image: FameFlyNet