To play a stripper in his new film, Magic Mike, in theaters today, Channing Tatum went "the whole nine yards" toward becoming fit and flirty. But three-hour workouts were a walk in the park compared to waxing his legs. "It was the most painful thing I'll ever do," Tatum, 32, told People. "And it's something I'll never do again."

Magic Mike, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is based on Tatum's own experience as an exotic dancer, when he was in his early years of trying to make it in Hollywood. Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four), plays the young Tatum in the film, while Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer comprise a gaggle of male strippers. Channing recalls the thrill of performing along with the discomfort of getting naked onstage. "I enjoyed the performing part of dancing but I didn't really love taking my clothes off," he said. "It was fun while it lasted."

Check out our slideshow of the very shirtless onscreen histories of the Magic Mike stars here.

Read more about Magic Mike here:

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