Celebrities Famous for Weight Struggles

In what seems like another lifetime, Kirstie Alley was famous for playing lovable neurotic characters like Rebecca Howe on "Cheers." These days, it's impossible to separate Alley from the image of a woman eternally talking about her weight struggles. But hey, if you can capitalize on something most people are afraid to discuss, like your obsession with butter, why not? (Source: Reuters)

For most of Kevin Federline's career, he has been known as Britney Spears' husband, but lately, the former backup dancer has become famous for his battle of the bulge. But with a new stint on "Celebrity Fit Club," Federline seems to have his sights set on making a new name for himself as part of Hollywood's formerly-fat elite.

Former Wilson-Phillips singer Carnie Wilson had all but faded into oblivion when she burst back on the scene in 1999 when she broadcast her gastric bypass surgery live on the Internet (eyw, we know). Following the surgery, she went from a size 28 to a size 6 and even posed nude in Playboy. Since then, she has appeared on Celebrity Fit Club and has gained, lost and then re-gained 22 pounds. (Source: AP)

Subway spokesman Jared Fogle was just a regular guy who shed 240 pounds by eating nothing but subs from the franchise for lunch and dinner. Now, he's famous for, well, nothing.  

For years, reality star Khloe Kardashian seemed stuck in the shadow of her much shorter sister, who was famous for her her enviable figure. But when Khloe dropped 25 pounds, she landed on the cover of magazines, scored her own spinoff show and even got married. More proof that America suffers from "Being-Thin-Means-Being-Happy"-itis. <a href="http://www.x17online.com/gallery/view_gallery.php?gallery=kardashian110309_X17">(Source: X17. Click here for more Khloe photos.)</a> (X17online.com)

80s television star Valerie Bertinelli was completely out of the spotlight until she documented her weight loss for Jennie Craig. And then she put on a bikini and the rest is history. (Source: AP)

Former Playboy model Jenny McCarthy was a hot commodity in the 1990s for her work on MTV and her enviable figure. After a series of D-list movies, it seemed McCarthy's star was fading. But after gaining 60 pounds during a pregnancy, the model and actress became a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers and saw her name in headlines once again. Since then, she hasn't done much aside from date Jim Carrey, which apparently is enough to keep you in the news.

When you are a C-list celebrity and too old to play a teenager anymore, what's the solution to saving your career? Lose some weight, put on a bikini and pose for a magazine. Just ask Melissa Joan Hart. (Source: People)

Oprah is hardly famous for her weight struggles alone, but she has certainly gained a significant amount of success from discussing her battle of the bulge on television. And in magazines. And on the radio. Yep, pretty much everywhere she goes. (Source: Reuters)