Top 10 Jonah Hill Performances
He can play the awkward young adult, the no-nonsense teenager, or the serious businessman. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 Jonah Hill performances. For this list, we're picking those performances by this Hollywood scholar that struck the funny bone or the emotional nerve of the audience.
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Top 10 Jonah Hill Performances
Jonah Hill Biography (UPDATE)
He can play the awkward young adult, the no-nonsense teenager, or the serious businessman. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Jonah Hill performances. For this list, we’re picking those performances by this Hollywood scholar that struck the funny bone or the emotional nerve of the audience. In other words, we’re taking a look at those performances that show off this actor at his finest and/or most memorable. And as is usual for standoutperformances, there will be spoilers ahead, so… spoiler alert!
#10: Jonah “Knocked Up” (2007)
Of all the comedy classics on our list, “Knocked Up” may not see Jonah Hill with the leading role, but his chemistry with comedians like Seth Rogen and Jason Segel is unforgettable. As one of leading man Rogen’s doofy roommates, Hill is in charge of the banter portion of the proceedings. Using his quick, punch-line delivering humor and his trademark Jonah Hill persona, the actor elicits laughs from the audience and is able to connect with them through his simple, but lovably hilarious character. Is he playing himself? Probably, but we could not ask for more from him, or from this movie; and don’t worry, he’s not going to go in there.
#9: Michael Finkel “True Story” (2015)
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That’s right! He doesn’t always have to play a funny character to show off his acting skills. Embracing his serious side alongside his frequent comedy co-star James Franco, these Hollywood stars make “True Story” a dramatic Hill-Franco classic to remember, with Franco stealing Hill’s identity after being accused of murdering his own family. Both actors play to themes of curiosity and psychological analysis that leave the audience wondering what each character is thinking. It also really makes us ponder the extent to which Franco’s character is willing to steal, and in this case, embrace, Hill’s character’s identity. This is one Hill drama to keep on rotation.
#8: Leo Koenig “Funny People” (2009)
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When you’re presented with the phrase ‘funny people’, it probably doesn’t take long for you to think of Jonah Hill’s name. And once again, in this comedy-drama, he is able to cultivate excellent chemistry with his fellow stand-up comedians, both on-screen and – we’re assuming – off. With a plot revolving around a comedian who thinks he’s dying, Hill – again, as one of Seth Rogen’s roommates – adds a certain “chill” factor to the overall depressing feeling that encompasses the entire film. And, he delivers without trying to outdo his fellow cast mates, including the leads Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen.
#7: Cyrus Fawcett “Cyrus” (2010)
In this comedy-drama by the Duplass brothers, Hill showcases some raw emotional devotion towards his mother when a new man comes into their lives. His chemistry with Marisa Tomei is that of a loving mother-son relationship – maybe a bit too loving, in fact. On the other side of things, his interactions with John C. Reilly are perfectly awkward and conflicted. Displaying an unsettling quality that hadn’t before been explored in his work, Hill plays the overly attached son so well that many who’ve been in this situation could probably relate on a deep level – though, fortunately most won’t act like Cyrus!
#6: Aaron Green “Get Him to the Greek” (2010)
We’re back to Hill’s comedy roots for our next entry; however, the origins of his serious acting talent can be seen in this spin-off of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Hill plays a talent scout at a failing record company who’s tasked with getting outrageous rock star Aldous Snow – played by Russell Brand – from London to LA for a show. As you can imagine, Hill’s largely professional attitude and by-the-book manner contrast excellently with Brand’s comic relief. With one a has-been rock star and one just wanting to keep his job, the chemistry builds throughout the film, and thanks to Hill’s skill, a strong friendship is built. Oh, one piece of advice: do not let P. Diddy down.
#5: Jonah Hill “This Is the End” (2013)
It’s the apocalypse, and Jonah Hill is trying to survive with his good friends by his side. Need we say more? Oh, yeah! Did we mention he’s playing himself? Taking on the role of a fictionalized version of Jonah Hill (ish), alongside other actors who do the same, Hill lets the audience know that he has a sense of humor about himself. If you’ve only seen this black comedy’s trailer or read its synopsis, we don’t blame you for thinking it’s just another Hill-Franco-Rogen stoner buddy comedy – which, to be fair, it kinda is. But more than that, “This Is the End” is an end-of-the-world disaster flick that will have us laughing until the world ends.
#4: Peter Brand “Moneyball” (2011)
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After being typecast in awkward comedy roles, Hill broke free from his past and fully embraced his serious acting abilities in this biographical sports drama. The story of the Oakland Athletics’ successful 2002 season, “Moneyball” sees Brad Pitt’s Billy Beane hire a kid with crazy ideas right out of school to help him pull his team outta the gutter. Hill plays that kid, Peter Brand, and he’s at once savvy and naïve; he’s a young man who just wants to do well at his first job, but the pressure he faces is that of a much more seasoned employee. Bringing a relatable quality to the character that any young worker can connect with, Hill earned him his first Oscar nod.
#3: Morton Schmidt / Doug McQuaid “Jump Street” franchise (2012-)
Schmidt can be anything he wants to be: a cop, a high schooler, or even the Real Slim Shady. In this hilarious remake of the late-‘80s TV show starring Johnny Depp, Hill plays Morton Schmidt to Channing Tatum’s Greg Jenko, and the love-hate relationship between Schmidt and Jenko – as well as the fear-hate relationship between Hill and Ice Cube – are unforgettable. Plus, the way Hill’s awkward high school persona transfers to his adult life is lovably hilarious, and makes us all wish we could go back to high school to do things differently. Hill and Tatum’s undercover work proved so successful, the pair returned for a sequel that did even better at the box office than the first film!
#2: Seth “Superbad” (2007)
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Props to any guy in his 20s who’s playing a teen – especially this successfully! Seth and Evan are two high school seniors trying to get drunk and get laid. And since the characters in “Superbad” are based on its writers, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Hill was able to drop some teenage truth bombs on the big screen. But, it’s the vulnerability he shows when he lets his internal awkward kid peek out of his trying-to-be-tough exterior that really makes Hill’s character – and performance – worthy of #2 on this list. Surprisingly “Superbad” isn’t all drinking scenes and crude jokes, as it’s a story about maintaining longtime friendships. And it wouldn’t be the same without Jonah Hill! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Noah Griffith “The Sitter” (2011) Sherman Schrader III “Accepted” (2006) Matthew Van Der Wyk “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008) Bag Head #2 “Django Unchained” (2012) Snotlout Jorgenson “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010)
#1: Donnie Azoff
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“The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) When Martin Scorsese casts you to live in one of his corrupt metropolitan settings, you have to deliver. And Jonah Hill did exactly that as Donnie Azoff in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Beside legends of today’s Hollywood like Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey, Hill portrays a man who knows how to go with the flow of business. Some would call him impulsive; some might call him creepy. But, whether his character was tripping out or eating goldfish, he was impressing audiences. This is the role that fully allowed Hill to break free of his comedy typecasting, and in the process he nabbed his second Oscar nomination! Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Jonah Hill Performance? For more phenomenal Hollywood Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
