Frank Grillo Claims There’s Rampant Steroid Use in Hollywood

Frank Grillo is pulling back the curtain on how he maintains his physique — and how many actors prepare for on-screen roles.

The 60-year-old Superman actor appeared on Men’s Health’s Strong Talk podcast on Sept. 10, and candidly discussed previously using steroids to help with his physical transformations for superhero films.

During the episode, he explained that six years ago, he learned his testosterone levels were low and he began using replacement therapy, noting that the medication has helped him improve his recovery and sleep habits, as well as make him feel happier.

“There’s nothing wrong with using those drugs,” Grillo said. “But let’s be honest about it, that’s all. People will say, because I take testosterone, ‘You’re a cheater.’ I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m 60, and I train every day.’ ”

“I’m an actor. I’m not the linebacker for the New York Giants. I’m not a competitive Olympic wrestler. I’m not playing for the New York Knicks,” he continued. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I’m not cheating at anything except aging,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with [it]. You get the role in the superhero movie, and you want to look like a superhero, and you take some Anavar, God bless you.” (Anavar, formally known as Oxandrolone, acts like the hormone testosterone, and is used “to help maintain muscle, relieve bone pain, or promote weight gain in certain people,” WebMD.)

“You’re gonna go on a cycle or two and you’re gonna look a certain way for a certain role,” he remarked. 

He continued and claimed that other actors who have quickly developed different physiques are likely also taking steroids. “They do it by, you know, taking Anavar and Deca and all the things that now are prescribable by doctors, and which is good because at least it can be monitored by a medical professional,” he said. (Deca, formally known as Nandrolone, is “an anabolic steroid used to treat anemia, osteoporosis and other conditions,” per the Cleveland Clinic.) 

“But none of those are natural bodies,” he added. “Those guys don’t walk around looking one way like six months out of the year and then all of a sudden they have 35lbs of muscle on them. We all know what they’re doing. They might not want to say it, but they all do it. Everybody.”

The actor is known for showing off his physique in different superhero franchises. He stars as Rick Flag Sr. in HBO Max’s Peacemaker in the DC Universe (DCU) and as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and is seen in action-packed fight scenes in both franchises.

In the 2014 MCU film, he has an intense battle with Chris Evans’ Captain America. He also goes toe-to-toe with John Cena’s Peacemaker in season 2 of the DCU series. 

“I had no problem beating the crap out of either one of them,” he previously joked with PEOPLE. “I mean … I don’t know. They were both easy pickings.”