Actor Steve Martin denied accusations about him gaining too much weight for the new movie "Shopgirl", insisting that he lost 20 pounds before shooting the comedy thanks to a self-designed diet.

Martin, 60, described by entertainment writers as old" and "puffy", confessed he lost so much weight with his died that he had to put weight on.

He tells the New York Daily News, "I lost 20 pounds - actually, I lost 25 pounds, but then I gained 5 back because I was too skinny. I didn't change what I ate, I just started eating smaller portions.

And I cut out bread - that's the real killer, because I was reaching in and eating half a loaf before dinner arrived. All you have to do is that, and then you can drink all you want."