Manganiello: I looked too healthy

Joe Manganiello has revealed that he stopped working for four years - because he was told off for being "too healthy".

The True Blood heartthrob admitted that his toned physique put him at a disadvantage when he first moved to Hollywood.

"I got to LA in 2000, when we were coming off the 90s: women looked like men and the men all looked like women. I was constantly being told, 'You're too healthy', so there were four years where I essentially didn't work as an actor," he told Men's Health.

Ever the professional, Joe tried to adapt: "For a while I tried becoming this chain-smoking artiste dude who watched what he ate. But I hated it.

"I was happier going back to my roots: training like men do in my hometown of Pittsburgh."

The 35-year-old - who next stars as Big Dick Richie in Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike, alongside Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey - said Hollywood is embracing men who look like men again.

"I think we're seeing a return to 'the Man'. People come up to me and say they miss those silent, tough guys like Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen," he explained.

"You've still got to be able to act and emote but you also have to fit the role physically, and that physique is now lean and muscular."

The full interview with Joe can be seen in the July issue of Men's Health - on sale June 4.