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Jonah Hill, 38, reveals he is ‘taking time off’ from the spotlight to ‘protect’ his mental health after suffering from anxiety attacks for 20 years: ‘I wouldn’t be acting true to myself if I made myself sicker’
- The Oscar-nominated actor released a statement on Wednesday in which he shared his reasons for taking a break from his media obligations
- Hill, who recently wrapped filming on a mental health-focused documentary called Stutz – which he stars in and directed – said he will not promote the movie
- The actor shot the film in secret and announced that it will debut at ‘a prestigious film festival this fall’ but he will not attend the event
- Hill’s new project documents his 20-year struggle with anxiety and he said the movie made him realize media appearances ‘make him sicker’
- The Wolf of Wall Street star will also not take part in any media appearances or promotion for other upcoming projects, including Netflix comedy You People
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Jonah Hill says he will release a documentary about mental health titled Stutz, but will not promote it or other projects he’s working on as he battles anxiety.
The Los Angeles native, 38, issued a statement Wednesday to Deadline detailing the upcoming doc, in addition to how he’s caring for himself after almost two decades of dealing with anxiety attacks.
‘I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist which explores mental health in general called Stutz,’ the Oscar-nominated actor said. ‘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 latest: Jonah Hill, 38, says he will release a documentary about mental health titled Stutz, but will not promote it or other projects he’s working on as he battles anxiety. The actor was snapped in NYC in December
‘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, which are exacerbated by media appearances and public facing events.’
The Wolf of Wall Street star said that he is ‘so grateful that [Stutz] will make its world premiere at a prestigious film festival this fall’ and ‘can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world in the hope that it will help those struggling.’
Hill explained the rationale behind why he will not be at events in support of the film or other projects he’s working on.
‘You won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself,’ the Moneyball actor said. ‘If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film.’
The actor issued a statement Wednesday detailing the upcoming doc, in addition to how he’s caring for himself amid dealing with anxiety attacks. He was snapped in 2019 in NYC
Hill said, ‘You won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself’
Hill said that he ‘usually’ cringes ‘at letters or statements like this,’ acknowledging that he is ‘of the privileged few who can afford to take time off’ to focus on his health, adding, ‘I won’t lose my job while working on my anxiety.’
Hill said that between his statement and Stutz, he is ‘hoping 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.’
The actor wrapped up his statement in saying, ‘I hope the work will speak for itself and I’m grateful to my collaborators, my business partners and to all reading this for your understanding and support.’
The title of the documentary came from Hill’s therapist and it will include discussions about mental health and how he’s past had anxiety attacks while promoting his projects
The title of the documentary came from Hill’s therapist, according to the outlet, and it will include discussions about mental health and how he’s past had anxiety attacks while promoting his projects.
Hill will also not be on the promotional trail for a Netflix comedy he has in the works titled You People, which he wrote with director Kenya Barris and acts in. The movie also features Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Molly Gordon, Mike Epps, Nia Long and David Duchovny.
Hill’s recent work includes a role in the 2021 Netflix film Don’t Look Up, as well as a directing job on an episode of the HBO show Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.