Jonah Hill steps out of public appearance due to long-term anxiety attacks – The Hollywood Reporter

Jonah Hill announced today that he’ll be debuting a mental health documentary soon but he won’t be around to promote it – or any of his upcoming projects.

While making a Netflix movie – titled Stutz after personal therapist Dr. Phil Stutz-Hill learned that he had spent “nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which were aggravated by media appearances. and public facing events”. As such, he plans to step back from promoting the documentary “or any of my upcoming films while I take this important step to protect myself.”

The actor and director announced the decision in a lengthy statement first reported by Limit line, and the revelation came ahead of the documentary’s fall festival premiere, though Hill didn’t specify which festival, only referring to it as “prestige”. The documentary marks his second film directing attempt after 2018 Mid 90’s. More recently, Hill directed an episode of Time of Victory: Rise of the Lakers for HBO.

Hill, who also has a Netflix movie titled Friends everyone scheduled for release later this year from a script he drafted with Kenya Barris, last announced and promoted late last year ahead of Adam McKay’s star debut Don’t look up, also for Netflix. His withdrawal from the public eye also includes his Instagram which appears to have been deleted.

“I usually cower in the face of letters or statements like this,” says Hill, “but I understand that I am one of the privileged few who can take the time off. “I will not lose my job when I work with anxiety. With this letter and with Stutz, I hope to make it more normal for people to talk and act about these things. So they can take steps to feel better and so that the people in their lives can understand their problems more clearly. “

In a 2021 story for GQ written by McKay, Hill checked Stutz’s name multiple times, opening up about how he started seeing his therapist in 2017 at the suggestion of Joaquin Phoenix, his friend and curator Don’t worry, he won’t get far.

“He invented a set of visualization techniques that changed my life so much. Netflix allowed me to do a documentary about Phil’s therapy and teachings, then it became about Phil’s life, and then how crazy it became when I made a movie about the therapist. I don’t want to give away too much, but that in itself is going to be very destructive,” Hill told McKay, who revealed that he once met Stutz’s partner, Barry. Michels. “The person I vented to while making the movie, I can’t vent now, because the movie is about him, and I can’t let him know it might not be a success.”

It’s not fair to say that mental health has become such a popular topic in Hollywood because it’s more realistic to say that it’s a conversation that has never happened across the cultural landscape and across many industries. . Hill are just the latest famous individuals to tackle the topic and his own struggles, joining a list that includes gymnast Simone Biles, entertainer Lady Gaga and star blockbuster Tom Holland (who has just announced to stop using social networks to protect his mental health).

Read his full statement below.

I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist that explores mental health in general called Stutz. The whole purpose of making this film is to provide the therapy and tools I have learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film.

Through my journey of self-discovery in the film, I came to understand that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which are exacerbated by media appearances and events dealing with anxiety. general public.

I am so grateful that the film will have its world premiere at a prestigious film festival this fall and I can’t wait to share the film with audiences around the world in the hope that it will be of help to those who are interested. people who are in trouble. However, you won’t find me out promoting this or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself. If I make myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I won’t act right with myself or with the movie.

I often cower in the face of letters or statements like this, but I understand that I am one of the privileged few who can take the time to rest. I won’t lose my job working with my anxiety. With this letter and with Stutz, I hope to make it more normal for people to talk and act about these things. So they can take steps to feel better and so that the people in their lives can understand their problems more clearly.

I hope the work speaks for itself and I am grateful to my collaborators, my business partners, and all who read this book for your understanding and support.