By JODY THOMPSON

Dedication: 50 Cent lost more than four stone in just two months for his role in Things Fall Apart


He famously launched onto the music scene with his 2003 multi-million-selling album Get Rich Or Die Tryin' - and 50 Cent has shown his dogged commitment to success in his latest film role.

The 35-year-old rapstar - real name Curtis Jackson - underwent drastic weightloss to play an American football player stricken with cancer to the extent he almost looked on the brink of death in real life.

The star went on a strict liquid diet and spent three hours every day in the gym to lose four stone in two months to drop to under 11 stone for his starring role in Things Fall Apart.


Thin: The usually bulky star plays a cancer-stricken football player in the film, the official trailer for which was unveiled last night


The usually musclebound singer however has since put the weight back on since he finished shooting the film, which also stars Ray Liotta, last summer.

‘Fiddy’ said he was inspired to lose the weight by Robert De Niro who lost 35lbs for his award-winning role in Taxi Driver in 1976.

Director Mario Van Peebles paid tribute to the rapper, saying: ‘50 was not at all what I expected. 50 is a really focused, bright, disciplined, affable cat. In terms of directing him, he’s a dream.’


The full 50: The normal bulked-back-up 50 Cent, seen at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party last month and last week in Chicago


And in another sacrifice to his craft, Fiddy also had his tattoos removed on his arms after getting fed up of the time spent in make-up getting the covered up before going in front of the cameras.

He admitted: 'I took ‘em off. I've been on a few acting projects and they been making me get up… My call time is four hours before the regular acting talent because of the tattoos.'


Thin: The star looked suitably ill for his role as an American footballer fighting cancer


Hair today: The star begins the movie with a full set of dreads which he later loses through treatment


The rapper's achievement still does not top that of recent Oscar winner Christian Bale, who lost 63lbs for his role in The Machinist.

Bale went from 185lbs to 122lbs to look like he 'had not slept for a year' and did it by cutting out most foods and relentlessly exercising.

Former drug-dealer Fiddy meanwhile has turned out to be quite the renaissance man.


Dark: Things Fall Apart doesn't look like uplifting viewing


As well as his music and acting career, the former Eminem protegé wrote a self-help business guide called the 50th Law.

Meanwhile, he's become the latest star to donate money earned from an event linked to Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi to charity.

The rapper announced he will be making a donation to Unicef to help with that organisation's relief efforts in the turmoil-hit country.


Peak condition: Fiddy as his fans are ysed to seeing him - ripped and covered in tattoos


A representative for the star said: 'In light of the on-going events in Libya, 50 Cent will be making a donation to Unicef, which is providing vital relief supplies to meet the needs of women and children at risk during this crisis.'

50 Cent performed at a private event during the 2005 Venice Film Festival that was later linked to the Gaddafi clan. Gaddafi is battling rebels who are revolting against his rule, and faces an investigation for possible war crimes.

Last week, Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Carey and Nelly Furtado announced donations to charity in the wake of their participation in private concerts connected to the Gaddafis.

Things Fall Apart is due out later this year, although a cinema release has yet to be confirmed.


50 Cent - Things Fall Apart (Official Trailer)


source: dailymail