Matthew McConaughey has officially joined the likes of Christian Bale and Matt Damon, having shed 30 pounds (from his already svelte frame) for his role as Ron Woodroof in the upcoming film The Dallas Buyers Club.

Recently spotted at LAX, the star's gaunt look frightened onlookers.

"For me, it's more of a mental thing than a physical thing. I'll get down to the weight I need to get to. I'm on the way, and it's what I need to do for the job... It's a bit of a spiritual cleanse, mental cleanse. [I'm] drinking a lot of tea," he told Larry King in a recent interview.

McConaughey's character in the film plays an AIDS-ridden patient who cures himself with alternative medications from Mexico. Based on a true story, The Dallas Buyers Club also stars Jennifer Garner, who plays his doctor, and Jared Leto, in his first film role in four years. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, the film is expected to be shot in New Orleans.