From 'Superbad' to self-love: The evolution of Jonah Hill

A left turn - In 2014, following a mix of great films ('The Wolf of Wall Street') and his usual comedies ('21 Jump Street'), Hill's name was well-known, but he was also accused of homophobia when he fired slurs at a paparazzo. He later apologized profusely on the radio, adding, "I am not good at being a famous person."

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Rising concern for his weight gain - In 2015, reports surfaced that Hill's friends were concerned with the actor's weight gain, though Hill was packing on pounds for his role in 'War Dogs.'

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A comedian through it all - Hill recounted to Jimmy Fallon about asking his friend and '21 Jump Street' co-star Channing Tatum if he would get in better shape if he ate less and got a physical trainer, to which Tatum replied, “Yes, you dumb motherf****r, of course you will, it's the simplest thing in the entire world." That's what friends are for!

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'Maniac' saw a whole new Hill - Come 2016-2017, Hill slimmed all the way down, filming the web series 'Maniac' alongside one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, Emma Stone.

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Not like his other roles - Critics said the miniseries—a dark psychological drama about an experimental drug trial in which Hill plays a schizophrenic—featured the best acting that Hill has displayed in his career to date.

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Fashion icon - When people stopped paying attention to his weight, they started to notice his clothes. The second annual Jonah Hill Day was held in Brooklyn, New York, and functioned largely as a way to pay tribute to Hill's fashion sense. “People like how I dress, which I think is very flattering,” Hill told Jimmy Kimmel.

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A "Scumbro" king - "Scumbro" is used to describe trendy people who favor priced-up streetwear brands like Supreme and Adidas, but who simultaneously love outdoor brands your elementary geography teacher wore. Hill, along with Pete Davidson and Justin Bieber, are all certified scumbro kings.

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The evolution of his hair alone is remarkable -

From curly 'fro to buzz cut, and neon pink to bleach blond, Jonah Hill has rocked them all.

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Internet stardom - At some point Hill changed from the butt of the joke to the darling of the Internet, growing out of the character cool kids make fun of and into the character that cool kids want to be.

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'Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot' (2018) - He plays a gay alcoholic in a darkly humorous drama alongside Joaquin Phoenix, and his tenderness and maturity in the film show a soft underbelly to Hill's persona.

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People think he looks like Bradley Cooper - It's a stretch, but if the point is that Jonah Hill is equally as good looking as Bradley Cooper, then point made!

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The magazine - Hill guest-edited a magazine, published by film company A-24, that focuses on self-love in an effort to help anyone else struggling with self-image.

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From future Jonah to past Jonah - The magazine is dedicated to Hill's 14-year-old self.

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'Inner Children' zine - "I became famous in my late teens and then spent most of my young adult life listening to people say that I was fat and gross and unattractive," reads the manifesto. "And it's only in the last four years writing and directing my movie, 'Mid90s,' that I've started to understand how much that hurt and got into my head."

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'Mid90s' (2018) - Hill described the film as a story about learning to love yourself and finding a community of people who accept you.

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GQ Man of the Year - Hill's good friend Channing Tatum flew in to award him a GQ's Man of the Year award for being “as sharp a filmmaker as [he is] a star in front of the camera,” which is surely the first of many accolades to come.

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The promises that lie ahead - Hill told DeGeneres, "It took a long time—honestly until right now" for him to come out as the person, artist, and mind that reflects who he really is, instead of something he's not. He said he's finally gotten to a point where he himself can determine how he feels, how he'd like to be spoken to, and how he wants to speak to the world.

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Coming off of successes, and heartbreak - In 2019, Hill had a successful year. He voiced character's in several films, starred in 'The Beach Bum,' executive produced 'Good Boys,' and got engaged to his girlfriend, Gianna Santos. But in October 2020, their split was announced.

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His evolution is not nearly over -

He said it best: "I'm under construction like we all are."

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From 'Superbad' to self-love: The evolution of Jonah Hill

The actor turns 37 on December 20

16/12/20 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Actors

The media has long held a keen interest in Jonah Hill’s fluctuating weight and, with that, the roles he’s taken on in the world of film and art. From his breakout role in ‘Superbad,’ to helping create a profound magazine on self-love, the actor, director, writer, and producer has never stopped evolving under the burning glare of the public, and he says he’s just starting to reclaim his identity.

Check out this gallery to see how Jonah Hill defied expectations and became the talented actor, first-time director, and unexpected style icon he is today.