Jonah Hill is one of the most successful comedic actors of the 2000s, appearing in a wide variety of roles that showcase his versatile abilities as an actor. His first notable role came in 2007’s Knocked Up, which he soon followed with more major roles in Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Get Him to the Greek.
More recently, Hill has appeared in blockbuster films like Don’t Look Up in 2021, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, and The Lego Movie 2 in 2019. Hill has left quite a mark on Hollywood behind the scenes as well, becoming close friends with actors like DiCaprio and Adam Levine, even officiating the latter’s wedding.
In 2022, Hill announced that he would be stepping back from the public eye and no longer promoting his own films. When announcing that he’d decline public-facing roles for the foreseeable future, Hill explained that the reason is one many people can relate to.
Why Jonah Hill Won’t Promote His Latest Films
In a statement to Deadline in August 2022, Jonah Hill revealed that he would be stepping out of the spotlight and taking a break from promoting upcoming films because of anxiety attacks.
He explained that while making his latest project, a documentary called Stutz which explores mental health, it dawned on him that he’d been experiencing chronic anxiety attacks for several years and needed to take the time out to address them properly.
"I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist which explores mental health in general called 'Stutz.' The whole purpose of making this film is to give therapy and the tools I've learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film,” the Wolf of Wall Street actor told Deadline (via CNN).
"Through this journey of self-discovery within the film, I have come to the understanding that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks,” he went on, adding that his anxiety attacks “are exacerbated by media appearances and public facing events.”
Hill then shared that he hopes the film “will speak for itself” but in the interest of staying true to himself and to the documentary, he won’t be making himself “sicker by going out there and promoting it.”
In the statement, Hill also acknowledged his privilege in being one of the “few who can afford to take time off" and being able to work on his anxiety without losing his job.
He added that he intended for the documentary and the accompanying statement to “make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff. So they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.”
How Mental Health Professionals Have Responded To Jonah Hill’s Decision
Unsurprisingly, mental health professionals have praised Hill, both for creating a documentary that shines a light on mental health issues and for speaking up about his own experience—and making the decision to care for himself by staying out of the spotlight.
Speaking to the BBC, mental health professional Dr. Sandra Wheatley argued (via Deadline) that “somebody who has so much to lose” and “is actually prepared to step back” such as Hill should be admired.
She also explained that celebrities are performing when making public appearances, even when they aren’t acting or singing: “But when they’re offstage, they go back to who they really are. So celebrities have to remember this persona in the media is an impersonation that you have, not you as an individual and that can be hard to balance.”
Deadline reports that consultant psychologist Dr. Elena Bailey agreed with Dr. Wheatley’s sentiments, stating that celebrities in the public eye are “very vulnerable” and Hill’s decision to avoid public appearances is “self-protective behavior.”
“This is because the type of attention and feedback and commentary on your life can have a very big impact on your mental health, causing a lot of anxiety, negative thoughts, symptoms of depression,” she detailed.
Why Jonah Hill Asked Fans Not To Comment On His Body
Jonah Hill is no stranger to speaking out about difficult topics that many celebrities feel pressured to keep to themselves. In the past, the actor has opened up about the pressures of body image in general society, revealing that he has experienced body-shaming as an actor in the public eye.
In October 2021, the star kindly took to Instagram to request that his fans stop commenting on his body.
“I know you mean well but I kindly ask that you not comment on my body,” he wrote on the social media platform, adding a heart emoji. “Good or bad, I want to politely let you know that it’s not helpful and doesn’t feel good. Much respect.”
Earlier in the year, Hill reposted a headline from the Daily Mail, which focused on shirtless photos of him that were captured while surfing. In the caption, he confirmed that he was in a much better place within himself in regard to his body image.
“I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I was in my mid 30s even in front of family and friends,” he told his followers. “Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by press and interviewers.”
He continued, “So the idea that the media tries to play me by stalking me while surfing and printing photos like this and it can’t phase me anymore is dope. I’m 37 and finally love and accept myself.”