Johnny Depp’s movie mum in ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?’ loses 250 pounds

The morbidly obese movie mum of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio in the film...

The morbidly obese movie mum of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio in the film 'What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?' has lost as much as 250 pounds. The dramatic weight loss was caused by a series of near-death health issues. 

Darlene Cates weighed 575 pounds when she portrayed the bedridden Bonnie Grape in the 1993 movie. Now, she has shed almost half of her weight so she could avoid death and return to her career. 

Reports say Darlene, 64, has overcome diabetes and has begun physical therapy to help her deal with the changes in her body. As of now, she is still unable to walk after going through four surgeries to aid her in losing weight. 

Cates is said to be determined to lose another 100 pounds and hopes to leave the bedroom that has served like a prison for her in recent years. 

The actress, who has worked with two of the best actors of this generation, told the Dallas Morning News that she is ‘ready to blow this joint’. 

She also admitted that fan letters from 'What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?' days have served as an inspiration to her determined weight loss and have helped keep her positive over the years.