Jonah Hill's Candid Journey: Triumphs, Mental Health Battles & Surprises

Jonah Hill, known for his roles in comedic movies, has not only pursued new creative careers but has also embarked on a personal journey to seek happiness in his personal and professional life. During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October 2018, the Superbad star opened up about his experience growing up as a curly-haired, overweight kid and how others had opinions on what he should be and how they treated him. He shared that throughout his young adult life, he faced criticism for his weight, appearance, and attractiveness. It was only when he wrote and directed his movie Mid90s in the past four years that he began to comprehend the extent of the emotional pain these comments caused him.

He went on: "Like all of us, I'm a work in progress, you know? We're all just trying to figure things out."

After two years, Hill opened up about how his body image and how others perceived him affected his self-confidence and sense of fashion. "I've always had an interest in personal style and fashion," he told GQ in November 2020, "but I've always been a bigger guy. It's really challenging to dress a certain way when you're overweight because clothes aren't designed for overweight people to be stylish. So, it surprises people. Even now, I'll overhear someone talking about me in the fashion world, and they'll say, 'That guy? The not-so-fashionable guy from Superbad?'"

Hill faced challenges not only in expressing his personal style, but also in breaking free from being typecast in comedic roles. He resisted societal expectations and pushed against being confined to one lane, both in his acting and fashion choices. Despite the doubt and criticism, he refused to limit himself and embraced the journey of pursuing his passions. After a long struggle with self-image, Hill has now reached a point where he is no longer concerned about others' opinions. He believes that as he has grown as a person and artist, he has developed a stronger sense of self. He realized that regardless of his physical appearance, he has the power to define his own unique style. This mindset aligns with the current cultural trend and is something Hill finds inspiring.

Continue scrolling to witness Hill's journey of highs and lows throughout the years.

Credit: ADAM BERRY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Jonah Hill's Ups and Downs Through the Years: Oscar Nominations, Mental Health Struggles and More

Embarking on fresh creative ventures over time, Jonah Hill has embarked on a quest to uncover both personal and professional happiness.

"I rose to fame through comedic roles and was known for being a curly-haired, overweight kid. People had their own opinions on who I should be, how they could talk to me, and how they could treat me," revealed the Superbad star during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October 2018. "By my late teens, I became famous, but I spent most of my young adult life hearing others call me fat, disgusting, and unattractive. It wasn't until I wrote and directed my movie Mid90s in the past four years that I truly grasped the pain and impact those comments had on me."

He continued: "Like everyone else, I am a work in progress. We are all just trying to navigate through life and figure it out."

Two years later, Hill opened up about the impact of his body image and how others perceived him on his confidence and sense of style. In an interview with GQ in November 2020, he shared, "I've always had an interest in personal style and fashion, but as a bigger guy, it was challenging to dress in a way that reflected my taste. Clothes aren't designed for overweight individuals to have style, so it often surprises people. I still hear people talking about my place in the fashion world and refer to me as the 'schlubby guy from Superbad.'"

Hill not only faced limitations in expressing his personal style but also struggled with being typecast in comedic roles. "When I started taking on dramatic acting roles, I faced criticism telling me to stick to what I know. However, I resisted that notion even at a young age... The same thing happened when people began discussing my fashion sense," explained the star of 22 Jump Street. "At some point, I had to ask myself, how many times do I have to prove to myself that I can do something? I've already achieved things that I was told were impossible. So, I just keep pushing forward and embracing the things I'm passionate about."

After years of struggling with his self-image, Hill admitted that he has finally reached a point where he no longer cares about others' opinions of him. "As I've grown as a person and as an artist, I now have a better understanding of myself," he expressed. "The key realization for me was that, regardless of my appearance or size, I have the power to define my personal style. I believe this is an exciting trend in today's culture."

As Hill's perception of himself shifted, so did his priorities. "Success in my career comes easily to me," he shared with GQ Style in August 2021. "What I truly desire is happiness. My life's mission is to find genuine happiness, and I am willing to work hard for it."

Keep scrolling to see Hill's ups and downs over the years:

Credit: YouTube

2005

Audiences were first introduced to Hill thanks to a small but unforgettable role in The 40-Year-Old Virgin as a customer at Trish (Catherine Keener)'s store.

Credit: Melissa Moseley/Columbia/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock

2007

Two years later, the California native achieved leading man status when he co-starred with Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the risqué teenage comedy Superbad. "It's still such an amazing experience. It's so cool that my nephews find it awesome that I'm in Superbad. Adam Sandler even told me that I'm his daughter's favorite comedian because of Superbad," Hill expressed to Vanity Fair in August 2022, reflecting on the enduring impact of the film. "When I listen to my dad and his buddies reminiscing about college, I imagine that's how my children will hear me and Michael talk about our time working on Superbad."

Credit: Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock

2011

Following his successful roles in other comedies like Accepted, Knocked Up, and This is the End, Hill made a conscious effort to shed a significant amount of weight in order to avoid being typecast as the lovable yet overweight funny guy. In a 2012 interview with ABC News, he admitted that his transformation was mainly the result of dietary changes. He dispelled any notions of a miraculous solution, stating, "I wish there was some crazy thing that I did, like a pill or a genie or something. ... I went to see a nutritionist, and he advised me on what to eat in order to alter my habits."

Credit: Scott Rudin Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

2012

The Cyrus star earned his first Oscar nomination in 2012 for his performance as Oakland A's assistant general manager Peter Brand in the 2011 drama Moneyball. 

Credit: Appian Way/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

2014

Hill's outstanding performance in The Wolf of Wall Street earned him his second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2014. In a surprising revelation, he shared that he willingly accepted a significant reduction in pay to portray the role of Donnie, the loyal right-hand man of Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), all because he cherished the opportunity to collaborate with renowned director Martin Scorsese. During an interview with Howard Stern in 2014, Hill confessed, "They offered me the minimum amount of money. That was their proposal, and without hesitation, I said, 'I'll sign the papers tonight. Fax them the papers tonight.'" He passionately explained, "I would have done anything in the world. I would do it all over again without a second thought. This isn't about money. You should pursue endeavors that truly matter to you."

Credit: Courtesy of Sharon Feldstein/Instagram

2017

Despite his accomplishments in his career, the filmmaker faced a heart-wrenching personal tragedy with the untimely passing of his elder brother, Jordan Feldstein, who suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 40. Reflecting on his loss during a candid 2018 interview with Howard Stern, he expressed the depth of his pain, saying, "I carry a profound sense of longing for him, yearning for his presence and cherishing the love I have for him. I wish he could still be by my side."

Credit: Tobin Yelland/Kobal/Shutterstock

2018

The film Mid90s marked the directorial debut of the screenwriter, showcasing a coming-of-age story inspired by his own childhood experiences in the 1990s. Alongside directing, he also took charge of writing and producing the film, receiving critical acclaim for his impressive work.

Credit: Carlo/MEGA

2019

We verified that Hill was betrothed to his significant other, Gianna Santos, who works as a content manager, in September 2019. In January 2020, his sister, Beanie Feldstein, could hardly contain her excitement about the engagement, exclaiming, "Oh, my God, I mean, he’s my best friend in the world, so I’m always thrilled for him," when discussing it with Us and other media outlets.

Credit: Odette Martin/Shutterstock

2020

Just over a year since the proposal, Hill and Santos decided to end their relationship, as confirmed by Us in October 2020. According to a source at the time, the spark had vanished in Jonah and Gianna's relationship.

Credit: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2021

After shirtless photos of him were published online, Hill shared his journey to body acceptance in a heartfelt Instagram post. "I was always self-conscious about my body, so I never had the confidence to take off my shirt in a pool, even in front of my own family and friends. If it weren't for the constant criticism and body-shaming from the media and interviewers throughout the years, maybe I would have embraced my body earlier," he expressed in February 2021. "But now, the media's attempts to invade my privacy and capture photos like this no longer affect me. I am 37 years old and I have finally learned to love and accept myself. This post is not about seeking praise or pity. It is for those young individuals who struggle with body image and feel uncomfortable revealing themselves at the pool. Enjoy yourselves. You are amazing, wonderful, and perfect just the way you are. With all my love."

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2021

The Hollywood actor, known for his role in "21 Jump Street," made a surprising announcement in October 2021 about his romantic involvement with surfer Sarah Brady. In an Instagram post that has now been deleted, he expressed his gratitude towards her by mentioning her username, @Sarahhbrady, and included a red heart emoji.

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2021

In October 2021, Hill made a request to his fans regarding their thoughts about his physical appearance. Through an Instagram post, he expressed his appreciation for their intentions but politely urged them not to comment on his body. He emphasized that whether the comments were positive or negative, they were not beneficial and did not contribute to his well-being. Hill kindly asked for respect in this matter.

Credit: Netflix/Moviestore/Shutterstock

2021

After taking a short break from the spotlight, Hill played a key role in Adam McKay's Oscar-nominated dramedy Don't Look Up, which was released on Netflix in December 2021.

Credit: Manuel Romano/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

2022

The Maniac alum recently announced his decision to refrain from participating in press tours to promote his films. It was a realization that the attention brought by such events was taking a toll on his mental well-being. In an open letter published by Deadline in August 2022, he wrote, "During this journey of self-discovery depicted in the film, I have come to acknowledge that I have been experiencing anxiety attacks for nearly two decades, particularly worsened by media appearances and public-facing activities." He further expressed, "If I were to push myself and engage in promoting [my projects], it would be contrary to my authenticity and the essence of the film itself."

Credit: MEGA

2023

A rep for the actor confirmed in June that he and girlfriend Olivia Millar — who were first linked in August 2022 — had secretly welcomed their first child.

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Broadimage/Shutterstock

2023

One year following their breakup, the surfer accused Brady of being emotionally abusive, providing evidence in the form of a string of text messages from the actor. Within these messages, Hill supposedly requested that Brady remove any photos of herself wearing a revealing bathing suit. After Brady complied and deleted the posts, Hill responded with a comment stating that it was a "positive start."

"But it's not my responsibility to educate you. I have communicated my boundaries clearly," Hill reportedly wrote. "You persist in holding onto certain behaviors, and you have made that abundantly clear. I hope it brings you satisfaction."

Hill, for his part, has not addressed the allegations.