Jonah Hill is stepping away from media appearances and other film promotions in order to control his anxiety attacks.
The famous actor revealed in an open letter that he has suffered from anxiety attacks for 20 years and has opted to skip press tours and promotions for his self-directed documentary, “Stutz,” so he can protect his mental health.
“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 wrote in the statement, according to Deadline.
Jonah Hill will no longer promote his new movies to avoid anxiety attacks https://t.co/c6BEg1kvjx pic.twitter.com/ccFaFCo0ld
— New York Post (@nypost) August 18, 2022
Hill demonstrated his respect for his role in this upcoming film and made it clear he was fully invested not only in delivering the film to audiences, but standing by the depth of the meaning and messaging of his documentary.
“I am so grateful that the film will make its world premiere at a prestigious film festival this fall, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world in the hope that it will help those struggling,” Hill wrote. “However, 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.”
Jonah Hill released an open letter in which he announced that he will no longer promote his own movies for the foreseeable future in order to continue working on his mental health.https://t.co/UtO7dETUr7 pic.twitter.com/7HwaSLMVc9
— Variety (@Variety) August 17, 2022
Hill went on to state how truly dedicated he is to leveraging his position in life to create a greater sense of awareness about mental health and issues surrounding anxiety. (RELATED: ‘I Am Suffering Complex Mental Health Issues’: Ezra Miller Seeks Treatment After Bizarre Behavior, Legal Troubles)
“I usually cringe at letters or statements like this but I understand that I am of the privileged few who can afford to take time off,” Hill wrote. “I won’t lose my job while working on my anxiety. With this letter and with Stutz, I’m hoping to make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff.”
He concluded his letter by thanking fans for their support, and crediting those who continue to rally around him through challenging times.