Jonah Hill has made it clear that years of Brazilian jiu-jitsu training have given him a level of confidence that extends well beyond the mats. During a recent podcast appearance with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, the actor spoke candidly about his love for the sport, the toll it takes on his body, and how he feels about people who still picture him as the character he played in Superbad.
“I love Brazilian jiu-jitsu,” Hill told the hosts. “Except my body is begging me to not love it. My wife is often like, ‘You’re not going to become like a professional figh ter. You know that, right? Like you’re a comedian.'”
When Bateman jokingly asked what would happen if the two of them ended up in a hypothetical confrontation, Hill’s response was immediate and confident. “I would fk you up,” he said. “I would fk all three of you, right?”
His most pointed comments, however, were reserved for people who still see him only through the lens of his early comedic roles. “My favorite thing is people are like, ‘Oh, Jonah Hill, fat guy from Superbad.’ And I’m like, ‘I would f**king annihilate you, dude. I’m not kidding you. Every time. Try it. If you see me, try it, dude.'”
Hill has spoken openly about starting his jiu-jitsu training in late 2018 at age 35, working under second-degree black belt Mikal Abdullah. He has said that his initial reluctance stemmed from negative experiences during his high school years, but he pushed through those insecurities to embrace what he calls a “beautiful art form.”
For Hill, jiu-jitsu has become far more than physical exercise. He has explained that the practice forces him into a state of presence that he finds difficult to achieve in daily life. “If you are not present, you will literally get [in trouble],” he remarked, describing how the demanding nature of training keeps his mind focused and engaged.
He has also been refreshingly honest about the unique challenges of training as a celebrity. “I learned early on if I roll in a class, Everyone wants the story of I choked out Jonah Hill,” he said, acknowledging that his fame creates an unusual dynamic during training sessions. He has managed this with characteristic self awareness, even choosing to wear a peach colored gi to signal his relaxed attitude toward the whole experience.
Now living in San Diego with his wife and two young sons, Hill has reached a point where his identity extends far beyond the roles that made him famous.
Rogan and Bravo Weigh In
Hill’s jiu-jitsu journey has also come up on the JRE podcast in the past, where Joe Rogan and his longtime training partner Eddie Bravo discussed the actor’s commitment to the sport. Bravo noted that Hill had been training with renowned instructor Renato Magno.
“You know Jonah Hill is trained jiu-jitsu with Magno,” Bravo said during the conversation, referring to the actor’s dedication to the sport.
Rogan chimed in with observations about Hill’s physical transformation, commenting on how the actor had shed considerable weight. He said, “He got skinny and then he felt like his head was too big, he started gaining weight back.”
The discussion turned to the physical changes that come with dramatic weight loss. Rogan pointed to a phenomenon that happens when someone loses a significant amount of body mass after weighing around 400 pounds (181 kg). “Your head gets big,” he explained, suggesting that Hill’s proportions had shifted as his body changed.
Their solution centered on building back up with muscle and fitness in mind. “Make it besides your head,” Bravo suggested, encouraging a balanced approach to Hill’s physical development.
Rogan added, “Good for him, man. If your head is bigger and body’s too skinny, you’re just gonna build your body up.”
Beyond the physical observations, both Rogan and Bravo expressed genuine admiration for Hill as a person and performer. “He’s a really nice guy,” Rogan said, recalling meeting the actor during an appearance at K-Rock radio station back when traditional radio was still a major promotional platform.
A freelance journalist with more than seven years of experience covering a wide range of topics, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and well-researched reporting. He studied at the University of Birmingham, where he developed a strong foundation in journalism and communications. Martin is a 10th Planet BJJ brown belt and has been training for approximately 10 years and a keen follower of submission grappling.
