'I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film'" - Jonah Hill's bold step for mental health

Renowned actor Jonah Hill, acclaimed for his authenticity and raw talent, shocked the entertainment world when he declared his decision to stop promoting his own films to protect his mental health. The declaration, as reported by The Guardian in 2022, came in an open letter published by Deadline ahead of the debut of his new documentary, 'Stutz.'

"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," Hill penned.

The Unexpected Bond between Phoenix, Hill, and Stutz

'Stutz' explores Hill’s evolving relationship with his therapist, Phil Stutz, whom he began seeing in 2017 at the recommendation of fellow actor Joaquin Phoenix. The documentary explores Hill's mental health struggles in-depth, offering a rare peek into the private battles waged behind the public persona.

Art, Therapy, and Healing

Hill admits that the primary aim of creating 'Stutz' was to offer therapy and its tools to a broader audience, seeking to create an entertaining and therapeutic film. He revealed that while he looks forward to audiences viewing the film, he stated, "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. If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film."

Taking Time Off: A Privilege or a Necessity?

Hill acknowledged his privileged position of being able to take time off to work on his anxiety without jeopardizing his career. In doing so, he hoped to normalize conversations around mental health and prompt more people to seek help, he stated, "I’m 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."

Hill's decision echoes similar actions taken by other celebrities, including tennis player Naomi Osaka and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, both of whom have actively prioritized their mental health in recent times. This growing trend points to a potential shift in Hollywood and beyond, emphasizing the importance of mental health and well-being over career advancement.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)