Dax Shepard is a bit of a weirdo when it comes to clothes. Or, more accurately, the lack of them. If you’ve followed his career from the early days of Punk’d to the massive success of the Armchair Expert podcast, you’ve probably noticed a pattern. The guy just doesn't seem to have a "shame" button when it comes to his body. While most A-list actors have riders in their contracts that specify exactly how much side-butt can be shown in a 4K frame, Dax is usually the one suggesting he take his shirt off—or everything else.
Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing. In an industry where everything is airbrushed and every public appearance is curated by a team of publicists, Dax Shepard’s approach to being naked is... well, it’s very Michigan. It’s blue-collar, "this is what I've got," and zero apologies.
The Infamous CHiPs Scene and Directing Naked
If you want to talk about dax shepard nude, you have to start with the 2017 film CHiPs. Dax didn't just star in the movie; he wrote and directed it. Most directors spend their days on set in comfortable North Face jackets and baseball caps. Dax spent a significant portion of day two of filming completely naked.
He’s talked about this on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and his own podcast. There’s a scene in the movie where his character, Jon Baker, is essentially stuck in a very compromising, very nude position. Because he was directing, he had to hop out of the scene, walk over to the monitors to check the shot, and give notes to the crew—all while wearing absolutely nothing.
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"By the way, that was the second day of filming," Dax told Entertainment Tonight. "I haven't put on any clothes in three or four hours and everyone seems to be fine with it."
That’s the thing about Dax. He’s so comfortable in his skin that it eventually makes everyone else comfortable, too. Or they just get used to it. He’s noted that while he started the morning putting a robe on between takes, by lunch, the robe was a distant memory. He was in a harness, on a trolley, getting slammed into walls for a stunt. When you're worried about an air ratchet breaking your ribs, you're not really worried about who's looking at your backside.
Why He Prefers Vulnerability Over "Action Hero" Vibes
There is a specific psychology behind why we see dax shepard nude so often compared to other leading men. He’s been very open about his struggles with body dysmorphia and his past insecurities. You’d think that would make someone want to cover up, right? But for Dax, it’s the opposite.
On an episode of Armchair Expert titled "Men's Bodies" with Kumail Nanjiani and Rob McElhenney, Dax stayed shirtless for the entire recording. They spent two hours dissecting the "perfect" male body and the toxicity of "roid rage" and Hollywood standards.
By being "gratuitously" naked in movies like This Is Where I Leave You or Hit and Run, he’s sort of reclaiming the narrative. He isn't trying to look like a Marvel superhero. He’s trying to look like a guy. He’s even joked about how, in This Is Where I Leave You, the director put him (the "big galoot") on top during a sex scene instead of the "beautiful girl," which he found hilarious and terrifying at the same time.
The "Puritanical America" Rant
Dax doesn't just get naked for the laughs; he does it because he’s fundamentally annoyed by American culture's hang-ups. He’s gone on record numerous times calling the U.S. "puritanical."
He thinks it’s embarrassing that we’re okay with high-octane violence and guns on screen but lose our minds over a nipple or a butt cheek. This philosophy extends to his parenting with Kristen Bell. They’ve been open about not being "hung up" on nudity at home. Recently, on a podcast with Ike Barinholtz, he mentioned that while he’s started to cover up more as his daughters get older—mostly because they’re starting to find him "disgusting" (the classic teen reaction)—his baseline policy is that nudity shouldn't be shameful.
He’s aiming for a more European vibe. You know, the kind of vibe where you’re at a beach in France and nobody cares that your grandad is in a thong.
What Most People Get Wrong About His "Exhibitionism"
It’s easy to label him an exhibitionist. But if you listen to the way he talks about his nude scenes, it’s rarely about "look at me." It’s usually about the joke or the truth of the scene.
In Hit and Run, which he also wrote and directed, there’s a level of "candidness" that feels almost invasive. But that’s the point. He wants his work to feel real. He’s even encouraged his wife, Kristen Bell, to be more authentic in her own romantic scenes. He famously told her she better "kiss T.I. with tongue" for a scene in House of Lies because watching actors fake-kiss is like watching them "fake eat."
Actionable Takeaway: The Dax Shepard Philosophy on Body Image
So, what can we actually learn from a guy who directs movies while naked? It’s not about being a nudist. It’s about shame-free candor.
- Acknowledge the Insecurity: Dax talks about his "chicken legs" and his hair transplants and his aging. By naming the thing you’re afraid of, it loses its power.
- Context Matters: Nudity in Dax’s world is a tool for comedy or a tool for honesty. If you can laugh at yourself while you’re at your most vulnerable, you’re basically invincible.
- Challenge the Norm: Just because society says "hide this" doesn't mean you have to.
Whether he’s posting a shirtless photo on Instagram to show off his "dad bod" progress or starring in a hard-R comedy, Dax Shepard’s relationship with nudity is a middle finger to Hollywood perfectionism. It’s messy, it’s a little bit awkward, and it’s entirely human.
Next time you see a headline about dax shepard nude, just remember: he’s probably the one who leaked the photo or wrote the scene. He’s in on the joke, and he’s having a lot more fun than the people trying to hide.