Matthew McConaughey Lost 30 Pounds (PHOTOS)

Last time we saw Matthew McConaughey, he was playing a buff, sexy stripper in Magic Mike. These days, the normally ripped star is looking far less ripped than usual – in fact, he’s downright gaunt. So, why is Matthew suddenly so thin?

The 42-year-old actor has reportedly dropped 30 pounds (and he’s not done yet) in order to play a man with HIV in The Dallas Buyer’s Club. The flick is based on the true story of a man named Ron Woodruff who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use and went on to sell black market HIV drugs to the citizens of Dallas.

“I just kind of dared myself,” said McConaughey of his weight loss strategy. “I haven’t been this light since I was in the ninth grade. I’m kind of looking at it as a bit of a spiritual cleanse, mental cleanse. I’m drinking a lot of tea.”

While many are shocked by his new, skeletal look, McConaughey sees losing the weight as a necessary part of his job.

“I should not look healthy by the time I’m doing this,” the actor told Larry King. Filming for The Dallas Buyer’s Club starts in September, so hopefully we should have the old McConaughey back in a few months.

Which do you like better? Buff Matthew McConaughey or his new incarnation, henceforth known as McScrawnyhey?