Jonah Hill Biography Jonah Hill Feldstein (born 20.12.1983) Jonah Hill is an American comedian, screenwriter and Oscar nominated actor known for his comedy roles in Superbad, Knocked Up, Funny People and 21 Jump Street as well as his serious approach to character Peter Brande in Money Ball. Jonah Hill: Childhood Hill was born in Los Angeles, California to parents Richard Feldstein, a tour accountant for rock band Guns 'N' Roses and fashion stylist, Sharon Lyn (née Chalkin). Hill was raised Jewish and has reported that his 'father instilled a good work ethic' and he is 'a nice Jewish boy' when asked about his sex life. After feeling unappreciated in school, Hill left California to study music and sport at the New School in New York. Jonah Hill: Acting Career Whilst studying in college, Hill began to write and perform his own plays in a small bar located in the East Village of New York. Hill's performances allowed him to realise his passion and ability to act, enabling him to form his own small following including Rebecca and Jake Hoffman, who later introduced Hill to their father - Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman asked Hill to audition for I Heart Huckabees starring: Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Isabelle Huppert, Mark Wahlberg and Dustin Hoffman which lead to Hill being cast as Bret in his first feature film role. The film received mixed critical response with the Hollywood Reporter stating: 'Despite the unique premise and some truly inspired casting, the picture remains stuck in an existential rut of its own.' Hill continued to act, appearing in an episode of NYPD Blue and short film: Pancho's Pizza written and directed by Jake Hoffman, before appearing in Jude Apatow's directorial debut, the 40 Year Old Virgin. The film starred Steve Carell as a nerdy 40 year old virgin who meets a single mother in the 2005 comedy romance film. It included appearances from Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd and Jane Lynch and was acknowledged by AFI as part of their official selection for movie of the year. Hill continued to obtain small television roles and supporting acting roles in low budget feature films before being cast in Click alongside previous supporting actor Dustin Hoffman. Hill played Ben Newman at 17 years old before working-relation Jake Hoffman played the same character at 22 years old. The film starred Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale and was nominated for an Academy Award for best achievement in make-up. Hill went onto co-star a long side Justin Long and Blake Lively in 2006's Accepted - a film about a high school slacker who's rejected by every school he applies to, thus he attempts to launch his own school in a local rundown building. Hill was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for his role as Sherman. Hill acted alongside Morgan Freeman in 10 Items or Less and Anna Kendrick in Rocket Science before being cast in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up. The film starred previous working friends Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd and had appearances from Jason Segel, Leslie Mann and Katherine Heigl. Like the 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up received notable recognition from the AFI institute. Hill worked alongside previous co-stars Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman in 2007's Evan Almighty before returning to work with Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen in Superbad. The film starred Hill and break through artist Michael Cera (Juno, Arrested Development) achieving critical and public recognition. Hill continued to act in television and doing voice over work on children's film, Horton Hears a Who before being cast alongside previous co-star Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The film also had appearances from: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and co-star Russell Brand. The film was nominated for best comedy at the Teen Choice Awards. Hill obtained a supporting role in Night at the Museum Two working alongside Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais before being cast with working friends Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Adam Sandler in Funny People written and directed by previous friend and working director Judd Apatow. The film achieved two nominations at the teen choice awards. Hill obtained a small role alongside co-stars Ricky Gervais' The Invention of Lying playing depressed character Frank. In 2009 Hill managed to live a personal dream doing a voice over for the Simpsons episode Pranks and Greens. When asked if Hill always wanted to be an actor he replied: 'No. I wanted to be one of the Simpsons. I wanted to live in Springfield'. Hill took on his first starring role as a serious/dramatic character in Cyrus. Hill played title character, Cyrus alongside John C. Reilly and Marisa Tomei. The film was part of the official selection at Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival. Hill continued his voice over work in How to Train Your Dragon before teaming up with friends Russell Brand, Judd Apatow and Jason Segel (as producers). The film saw Russell Brand continue his role as Aldous Snow from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The film achieved a positive critical response and 11 recognised nominations. Hill did more voice over work in Megamind before obtaining a role in Sport-Biography/Drama Moneyball. The film starred Brad Pitt as Billy Beane the historic American Baseball player and Hill as Peter Brande. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards including Jonah Hill for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. Hill returned to his comedy role in The Sitter before writing and creating his own cartoon TV series, Allen Gregory. The series contained seven episodes which included exceptional smart Allen Gregory (voiced by Hill) attempted to fit in at regular school. Hill continued to write and act, helping to co-write 21 Jump Street with Michael Bacall. Hill starred alongside Channing Tatum, and got to return to his college student role as an undercover police officer. Hill worked alongside the all star cast In The Watch, working with previous working-relation Ben Stiller and Joe Nunez (Superbad). Hill was cast in critically acclaimed director Quentin Tarintino's Django Unchained, winner of 2 Academy Awards. The film starred Jamie Fox, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio. Hill maintained his friendship and working relationship with co-stars Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Paul Rudd, Channing Tatum, Jason Segel in This is the End a film about a number of celebrities attempting to survive the apocalypse whilst attending a party at James Franco's house. Jonah Hill: Personal Life Hill has stated he refuses to discuss his personal life because 'you just feel like an idiot for talking about it' if/when things don't work out. Despite losing a lot of weight for his recent roles (21 Jump Street where he plays a police officer) Hill has stated his 'Achilles heel' is beer. 'I just can't give up beer'. Hill broke up with his girlfriend Jordan Klein after three years in 2011 however started dating Ali Hoffman (Dustin Hoffman's daughter).
Biography by Contactmusic.com