What diet did Ashton Kutcher do for Steve Jobs? The fruitarian regimen and its painful consequences

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

In preparation for his role as Steve Jobs, Ashton Kutcher was hospitalized with pancreatitis just before filming the 2013 biopic, an alarming result of his method-acting commitment to the famously restrictive diet that included an all-fruit regimen. His commitment to authentically portray the late Apple co-founder led to a terrifying health scare and shed light on the dangers of fruitarianism.

Quick Summary

Ashton Kutcher followed a fruitarian diet, consisting mainly of fruits, nuts, and seeds, to portray Steve Jobs. The extreme eating plan caused him to suffer from pancreatitis and led to hospitalization, highlighting the diet's severe health risks.

Key Points

Diet Plan: Ashton Kutcher followed a fruitarian diet to prepare for his role as Steve Jobs, which involved eating only fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Hospitalization: Kutcher was hospitalized for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, just two days before filming started due to the extreme diet.
Pancreas Connection: His health scare was particularly unsettling as Steve Jobs himself died of pancreatic cancer, though there is no direct link between the diet and the cause of Jobs' cancer.
Nutritional Risks: The fruitarian diet is dangerously restrictive and can lead to severe deficiencies in essential nutrients like protein, B12, and calcium.
Overloaded Pancreas: Experts suggest that the high fructose intake from the all-fruit diet overtaxed Kutcher's pancreas, leading to the painful inflammation.
Cautionary Tale: Kutcher's experience serves as a cautionary example against extreme method acting and restrictive celebrity diets without medical supervision.

The Fruitarian Diet Adopted by Ashton Kutcher

To authentically embody Steve Jobs, Ashton Kutcher delved deep into the Apple founder's eccentric lifestyle, which famously included periods of adhering to a fruitarian diet. This highly restrictive form of veganism goes far beyond simply eliminating animal products. Fruitarianism is defined by a diet consisting primarily, and sometimes exclusively, of raw fruits. Some variations may allow for small amounts of nuts, seeds, and vegetables, but the bulk of caloric intake comes from fruit alone. Jobs' interest in this diet was reportedly inspired by the book Mucusless Diet Healing System by Arnold Ehret. In his dedication to the role, Kutcher adopted this very same regimen, consuming large quantities of specific fruits and even drinking excessive amounts of carrot juice.

The Severe Health Consequences for Kutcher

Just two days before filming was set to begin, Kutcher experienced severe back pain and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed him with pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. His wife, Mila Kunis, later confirmed on a YouTube show that he was hospitalized twice with the condition as a result of the extreme diet. The overconsumption of fructose, the natural sugar found in fruit, is believed to have overtaxed his pancreas, which is responsible for producing the insulin needed to process sugar. The incident was particularly terrifying for Kutcher given that Steve Jobs died from pancreatic cancer.

The Nutritional Deficiencies of a Fruitarian Diet

While fruit is undoubtedly a healthy part of a balanced diet, subsisting on fruit alone is extremely dangerous. Dietitians and medical experts consistently warn against such restrictive diets, citing the high risk of malnutrition. The fruitarian diet is often critically deficient in several essential nutrients that the human body needs to function properly. This can lead to a host of health problems, as the body struggles to get the necessary building blocks for tissue repair, muscle function, and immune system health.

Common deficiencies include:

Protein: Essential for cell growth, repair, and immune function.
Essential Fatty Acids: Crucial for brain function, skin health, and hormone regulation.
Vitamin B12: Found almost exclusively in animal products, its deficiency can lead to anemia and nerve damage.
Calcium and Vitamin D: Vital for bone density and strength.
Iron, Zinc, and Iodine: Key minerals for metabolic processes and overall health.

Comparing the Fruitarian Diet to a Balanced Diet

The following table highlights the key differences between a fruitarian diet and a healthy, balanced eating plan, underscoring why the former is so dangerous.


Feature	Fruitarian Diet	Balanced Diet
Core Components	Primarily raw fruits; small amounts of nuts/seeds.	Variety of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains.
Nutrient Completeness	High risk of deficiency in protein, fats, B12, calcium, iron, and zinc.	Provides a full spectrum of macro- and micronutrients.
Blood Sugar Impact	High natural sugar intake can lead to dramatic spikes and stress the pancreas.	Steady blood sugar levels maintained by combining fiber, fat, and protein.
Metabolism	High risk of slowing down due to starvation mode and insufficient calorie intake.	Supports a healthy and efficient metabolism.
Sustainability	Not sustainable long-term due to nutrient gaps and health risks.	Sustainable for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
Dental Health	High acid and sugar content can erode tooth enamel and lead to decay.	Lower risk of dental issues with moderated sugar and acid intake.

The Dangers of Extreme Method Acting

Kutcher's experience serves as a stark warning about the perils of taking method acting to an extreme. While admirable in its dedication, replicating a famous person's unhealthy lifestyle for a role, especially one tied to a specific illness, can have devastating consequences. The high-profile nature of Kutcher's hospitalization brought widespread attention to the risks associated with the fruitarian diet and extreme celebrity dieting in general. Medical professionals advise against such self-imposed restrictions without expert medical supervision, which Kutcher later acknowledged. The story is a powerful reminder that health should never be sacrificed for a role. For those interested in exploring healthier dietary approaches, learning more about different types of plant-based diets can provide a safer alternative.

Conclusion

Ashton Kutcher adopted a fruitarian diet to accurately portray Steve Jobs, a choice that led to a painful hospitalization due to pancreatitis. This extreme act of method acting painfully illustrated the severe health risks associated with such a restrictive eating plan. While Steve Jobs's dietary habits were a notable part of his life story, they were not a model for healthy living. Kutcher's ordeal became a cautionary tale, emphasizing that a balanced diet and professional medical guidance are far safer routes to well-being than mimicking potentially harmful celebrity regimens. The story serves as a reminder to prioritize health over extreme and unproven dietary trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

A fruitarian diet is a highly restrictive vegan diet that consists primarily, and sometimes exclusively, of raw fruits. Some followers may also consume small quantities of nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables.

Ashton Kutcher developed pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, and was hospitalized twice with severe pain after adhering to the fruitarian diet.

Yes, Steve Jobs was a well-known follower of the fruitarian diet for periods of his life, a detail Ashton Kutcher emulated for the movie 'Jobs'.

The high amount of fructose (fruit sugar) likely put a significant strain on Kutcher's pancreas, which is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels by producing insulin. This overwork can lead to inflammation and pain.

A fruitarian diet is typically deficient in protein, essential fatty acids, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron, and zinc. These deficiencies can lead to anemia, weakened bones, and a compromised immune system.

No, dietitians and medical experts generally do not recommend the fruitarian diet, especially as a long-term plan, due to the high risk of severe malnutrition. It is considered highly unsafe for most individuals.

Mila Kunis confirmed her husband's extreme method acting, stating he was 'so dumb' and was hospitalized twice with pancreatitis, adding that at one point he was only eating grapes.

Despite common assumptions, high-fruit consumption can lead to weight gain in some people due to the high natural sugar content, especially if not paired with enough physical activity.

While the restrictive diet was a known part of his life, there is no scientific evidence to link his fruitarianism to his pancreatic cancer. However, the extreme diet and subsequent illness for Kutcher created a chilling resonance with Jobs' fate.