Sacha Baron Cohen jokes about midlife crisis after dramatic body transformation, starts dating younger model

Sacha Baron Cohen has publicly joked about a midlife crisis after unveiling what observers described as an extreme body transformation. The 53-year-old actor appeared shirtless on a July cover of Men's Fitness UK, posing with dumbbells and delivering a steely gaze as he discussed his training for the role of Mephisto in Marvel's Ironheart miniseries.

On the cover and in a subsequent slide, Cohen quipped about his methods, saying, 'Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others use personal trainers. I did all three.' He also teased a new character, joking that he was 'hard launching [his] mid-life crisis' and introducing 'Middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes.' He posted the image to Instagram Story, adding, 'This is not AI, I really am egotistical enough to do this.'

Less than a month later, Cohen attended Taika Waititi’s 50th birthday party in Ibiza, where he was photographed sitting with 27-year-old model Hannah Palmer, described as a friend of the director's wife, Rita Ora. Palmer, an OnlyFans creator, was described by The Sun as 'super fun,' 'clever,' 'beautiful' and 'a real catch,' with a source saying Cohen is 'a very lucky man to have bagged a date with her.'

Earlier this week, Palmer and Cohen were seen on a dinner date. An eyewitness told The Sun that the pair arrived at about 8:30 p.m. and spent roughly two hours in conversation described as 'deep.' The onlooker said that, despite the age difference, they were getting on 'really well' and talked at length. The duo walked out separately around 10:30 p.m., but reportedly got into the same car and left together. Palmer has used social media to share posts, including an Instagram handle associated with her name.

Meanwhile, Cohen's divorce from Isla Fisher, with whom he shares three children, was finalized in June. The Daily Mail reported that Fisher, 49, was seen on the arm of a handsome man at another outing, highlighting continued public interest in Cohen's personal life as he navigates new dating links.

The recent activity follows Cohen's high-profile professional projects and personal chapters, including the Mephisto role and the end of his marriage to Fisher. While the nature of his relationship with Palmer remains a subject of tabloid rumor, multiple outlets have chronicled the timeline from his fitness showpiece to social appearances that keep him in the public eye. The dynamic illustrates how a veteran entertainer in Culture & Entertainment can maintain relevance through a combination of prominent work, public statements, and unexpected personal developments.