Jonah Hill, Once Overweight and Chubby Actor, Found Control on His Body And Mind-See His Amazing Transformation

Jonah Hill's fluctuating weight has been scrutinized ad nauseam by the media. There was a time when Hill was typecast as a chubby, overweight dork who would make for great comic relief, but his commitment to losing weight and otherwise setting his life in order led to him breaking the mold and being recognized for the versatile actor that he is. 

But, as Hill himself has admitted, there is no magical pill or a genie behind his weight loss. So how exactly did Jonah Hill achieve his astonishing weight loss?

From 2007's Superbad to 2011's Moneyball and 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street, we look at the incredible weight loss journey of Jonah Hill on his ascent from mere comic fodder to the Academy Award-nominee.

Jonah Hill Was Bullied For His Weight

Jonah Hill was born on December 20, 1983, and comes from a lineage of artists, with his father, Richard Feldstein, being the tour accountant for Guns N' Roses and his mother, Sharon Lyn Chalkin, being a fashion stylist.

The pedigree doesn't end here, as his younger sister, Beanie Feldstein, is an actress and his older brother, Jordan Feldstein, remained a music manager prior to his untimely death.

While Jonah Hill's acting chops were never in doubt, he never got a fair shot due to his weight. He became typecast as the resident Hollywood comedy dork who would be called in for roles based around his weight.

Hill realized that if he went with the status quo, he would die as the actor who was the brunt of fat jokes.

In a candid interview with Ellen DeGeneres on her show, Hill revealed his struggle with his weight and body image. He said,

"I think everybody has a version of themselves ― I call it a snapshot ― at some point in life... [you’re] trying to hide from the world. Even if you get success or grow up or become good-looking or whatever ... you kind of carry some part of that with you. For me, it’s definitely being like this 14-year-old kid, being overweight, wanting to fit in with these skaters and hip-hop kids, and just feeling lonely and maybe not understanding my own worth."

 Hill also mentioned how he was bullied mercilessly for his weight.

"I spent most of my young adult life listening to people say I was fat, gross, and unattractive. 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."

What is Jonah Hill's Weight Loss Secret?

Hill's body transformation has shocked the world on more than one occasion. His first major weight loss came four years after 2007's comedy movie, Superbad. Hill walked the red carpet for the premiere of the Brad Pitt-led 2011 biographical sports drama, Moneyball, looking cut-up.

Aside from getting nominated in the supporting actor category at that year's Oscars, Hill set the tabloids buzzing with his radical weight loss.

But for gossip-mongers looking for a salacious headline, Jonah Hill disappointed with his cut-and-dry weight loss "secret" in an interview with ABC News.

"I wish there was some crazy thing that I did, like a pill or a genie or something, but I went to see a nutritionist, and he told me what to eat to change my habits and stuff."

That's right! Jonah Hill lost weight when he became a responsible adult and followed a healthier lifestyle.

He also went on to reveal his exercise routine which involved jogging. He revealed that he “started physically running instead of emotionally running."

Hill also admitted to doing ten push-ups daily and working his way up to a hundred.

Hill's Weight Gain for War Dogs

Jonah Hill again put on substantial weight circa 2016, but it was more for a love of acting than a love for food!

Jonah Hill put on an additional 40 pounds to play Efraim Diveroli in War Dogs.

Ever the method actor, Hill put on an additional 40 pounds to better embody his character, Efraim Diveroli, in the 2016 biographical crime film.

The movie based around the real-life story of American arms dealer Diveroli also boasted such talents as Miles Teller, Ana de Armas, and Bradley Cooper.

Second Weight Loss After Filming War Dogs

Jonah is nothing, if not persistent. Rather than staying overweight after filming for War Dogs, he was determined to shed his additional weight. This time, he took cues from his 21 Jump Street co-star and noted fitness buff, Channing Tatum. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon on his Tonight Show, Hill revealed the two friends' hilarious exchange:

"I wanted to get in better shape, so I called Channing Tatum and said, 'Hey, if I ate less and go to a trainer, will I get in better shape?'

[He said] 'Yes, you dumb mother****er, of course you will.' It's the simplest thing in the entire world."

Jonah Practices Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 

In 2017, Hill was photographed in a boxing dojo, The Gotham Gym, in Manhattan, New York. The Gotham Gym is a celebrity gym whose regular patrons include celebrities like Justin Theroux.

Boxing is one of the best full-body workout disciplines, and Hill was seen sparring and shadow-boxing in the gym.

He is also a student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His workout regimen includes sessions four to five times a week.

Did Jonah Hill Have Weight Loss Surgery?

There are rumors flying around the internet that Jonah Hill had a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery. The lap band- as it is colloquially called- is an inflatable silicone device tied around the top of the stomach to regulate food intake and reduce obesity.

As of yet, Jonah Hill has not confirmed or denied any rumors, so the claims are conjectural at best.

Jonah Hill as He is Now: Current Diet and Workout Regimen

Jonah Hill is as healthy as he has ever been in his life. Despite reaching his target weight, he still maintains his healthy diet, and when not filming, frequents the gym to workout.

He admitted to being something of a sushi fanatic, substituting sushi for most forms of meat and junk food. One thing that remains his weakness is beer. The actor admits to having a hard time foregoing beer completely.

Other than being in a healthy physical state, his mental headspace is also on a healthier plane.

He stated in another interview with Ellen DeGeneres that he was finding self-love and acceptance. He also talked about his piece in the self-acceptance promoting Inner Children magazine, saying:

"What I found amazing about [the magazine] is it was really a companion piece to writing and directing Mid90s because, to me, this movie is about learning to love yourself and finding a community of people that accepts you and how imperfect life is. It took a long time, honestly until right now, for me to come out as sort of the person, the artist, mind, what I represent, how I feel, how I'd like to be spoken to, how I speak to the world in a way that actually represents who I am as a person as opposed to me trying to be something else that I'm not."