The Untold Story of Tuna from Blow: From Drug Smuggler to Scientologist?

The 2001 movie Blow starred Johnny Depp as infamous drug smuggler George Jung. One of the standout supporting characters was Tuna George’s quirky partner-in-crime played by Ethan Suplee. While George Jung’s real-life story is well known, many fans wonder – what actually happened to the real life Tuna from Blow after their marijuana smuggling days? Let’s uncover the rumors and truths about this legendary outlaw’s fate.

In the film, Tuna is portrayed as George’s fun-loving but paranoid sidekick. The two meet in high school and bond over their rebellious natures. When George gets involved with marijuana smuggling in the 1960s, Tuna eagerly joins him. But after they make millions together, Tuna disappears, leaving George to pursue his dangerous cocaine business alone.

According to the movie’s epilogue, Tuna invested his earnings into a house and boat in Cape Cod, apparently living a quiet, law-abiding life But online rumors suggest Tuna’s real life took a very different turn after parting ways with George Jung

The Theory: Did Tuna Join Scientology?

On various forums, speculation abounds that the real life Tuna fled to the secretive Church of Scientology headquarters in California. Rumors say he married, donated his smuggling fortune to the church, then died by suicide when the organization allegedly bankrupted him.

However, these unverified stories fail to check out. George Jung, now free after decades in prison, has definitively confirmed Tuna is alive and well. Recent photos show George happily reunited with his old pal. It seems Tuna steered clear of both cocaine and cults after wisely quitting the drug trade.

The Facts: What Really Became of Tuna After Blow

According to George Jung himself, Tuna – real name Tuna Wayno – did indeed invest his marijuana profits into a comfortable, legitimate lifestyle. After Blow’s early smuggling scenes, Tuna apparently parted ways with George for good.

When George tracks Tuna down years later in the film, hoping to recruit him for a new cocaine operation, Tuna refuses. The reformed outlaw has no interest in relapsing into crime. As Jung tells it, this encounter accurately depicts Tuna moving on from the drug business.

Records indicate Tuna settled down in the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts, marrying and keeping his nose clean. His days of smuggling marijuana and partying with George Jung were well behind him. And clearly, Tuna managed to avoid the fate suggested by online gossip.

Far from going bankrupt and meeting a tragic end, today Tuna is alive and well in his late 70s. He lives a comfortable life of retirement, with the spoils of his illegal youth safely preserved. While hardly a saint, Tuna got out of the smuggling game at the right time and emerged unscathed.

Catching Up With Ethan Suplee, Actor Who Played Tuna

Blow catapulted Ethan Suplee to fame for his amusing take on the lovable Tuna. But the actor looked very different back then compared to today. Weighing over 500 pounds at his heaviest, Suplee has undergone a dramatic weight loss journey in recent years.

Through diet and exercise, Suplee has dropped nearly 300 pounds and completely transformed his physique. Now rippling with muscles, the actor flashes his buff new bod on Instagram as motivation to others battling the bulge. Clearly, shedding the Tuna image was a priority for Suplee.

Sadly, Suplee has faced fat-shaming and bullying over his previous size, both in Hollywood and from internet trolls. But he credits his wife and daughters as inspiration to get fit and improve his lifestyle habits. Suplee’s amazing metamorphosis proves it’s never too late to change for the better.

Key Differences Between Tuna in Blow and Real Life

While Blow captured the freewheeling friendship between George Jung and Tuna, some key details were altered or omitted:

• In real life, Tuna’s surname is Wayno, not his first name. Tuna was a nickname.

• Tuna was never actually arrested or imprisoned for marijuana smuggling. He retired from crime undetected.

• The film implies Tuna mysteriously disappeared after their smuggling operation crumbled. In reality, he consciously chose to leave the drug trade.

• Tuna refused to join George Jung’s cocaine ring, but was not bankrupt or desperate as suggested by rumors. He had wisely safeguarded his criminal earnings.

• Far from committing suicide, the real Tuna has maintained a low-profile but comfortable lifestyle since exiting the smuggling business.

Lessons Learned from Tuna’s Story

Whether fact or fiction, Tuna’s journey in Blow offers some worthwhile insights:

• Quitting crime before it’s too late allowed Tuna to avoid George Jung’s fate of prison and penniless downfall. Knowing when to walk away pays off.

• Investing illegal profits into legitimate business ventures provides long-term security. Tuna was smart and disciplined with his money.

• Partnerships formed around criminal enterprise often unravel. Tuna wisely distanced himself from Jung when things turned dangerous.

• Trying to recruit former partners into new criminal activities rarely succeeds, burning bridges. Jung’s overtures were rightly rejected.

• There are always alternatives to living dangerously. Tuna built a comfortable life without reoffending.

By learning from Tuna’s choices, both wise and foolish, we gain perspective on building a better future without repeating past mistakes.

Where Are They Now?

• George Jung was released from prison in 2014 after serving nearly 20 years behind bars. Now in his late 70s, he lives in California and stays active through public speaking engagements.

• Tuna Wayno is also in his late 70s and keeps a low profile outside of his friendship with George Jung. He resides in Massachusetts near Cape Cod.

• Ethan Suplee has transformed himself through weight loss and exercise. He continues acting while motivating fans on his fitness journey.

The Bottom Line on Tuna’s Story

Despite online myths about Scientology and suicide, the real life inspiration behind Blow’s Tuna lived to tell the tale. Through shrewd retirement planning, he overcame his criminal past to enjoy a comfortable life out of the spotlight. And by abandoning drug smuggling before it consumed him, Tuna demonstrated it’s never too late for redemption.