Jeff Goldblum Says ‘Wicked’ Inspired Him to Stop Eating Meat

The actor reveals how playing the Wizard of Oz changed his life and diet

Jeff Goldblum has always been known for his charm and eccentricity, but his latest revelation shows a more compassionate side. The 73-year-old actor, who stars as the Wizard of Oz in the Wicked film adaptations, says the experience completely changed his outlook on life — and his diet.

Jeff Goldblum says he's gone vegetarian after playing the Wizard of Oz in Jon M. Chu's blockbuster sequel "Wicked: For Good":

"Working with Jon Chu [is] amazing. It's changed me. You know, after doing this movie, we talked about the animal cruelty, I stopped eating meat and… pic.twitter.com/BIa9weQpHk

— Variety (@Variety) November 11, 2025

During an appearance on This Morning in the U.K., Goldblum admitted that filming Wicked inspired him to give up meat and poultry altogether.

“It’s changed me,” Goldblum said. “After doing this movie, we talked about animal cruelty. I stopped eating meat and poultry. So this Christmas and Thanksgiving, I may be having something else.”

The actor added, “We need the world to work for everybody on Earth — and every creature too.”

How ‘Wicked’ led to his transformation

Playing the Wizard of Oz seems to have had a deeper emotional impact on Goldblum than even he expected. Known for his thoughtful nature, he connected with the film’s themes of empathy and morality, which ultimately influenced his personal choices.

Jeff Goldblum reveals he has stopped eating meat since filming the WICKED movies, following the storylines regarding animal cruelty. pic.twitter.com/r2EzZXBfiS

— The Wicked Source (@TheWickedSource) November 10, 2025

Goldblum’s compassionate message resonated with fans, many of whom praised him online for taking a stand against animal cruelty.

Supporting his Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey

Recently, Goldblum also cheered on his Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, who was crowned PEOPLE’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive. In a lighthearted interview with Entertainment Tonight, the two actors shared playful banter, with Goldblum singing “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate as Bailey laughed.

“It’s completely absurd,” Bailey joked about the honor. “I’m going to squeeze every ounce of sexuality I have for the next 360 days.”
To which Goldblum quipped, “Yes, you stand on the sexy shoulders of giants — sexy giants.”

About the Wicked films

The Wicked musical, composed by Stephen Schwartz and based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, tells the story of Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland before they became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

The first film, Wicked: Part One, directed by Jon M. Chu, premiered in November 2024, while Wicked: For Good — the second installment — is set to release on November 21, 2025.

With his new perspective on kindness and sustainability, Jeff Goldblum’s transformation proves that even Hollywood’s most whimsical stars can find profound lessons in the stories they tell.