Since Jonah Hill landed his breakout role in the 2007 film Superbad, he has become a prominent figure in Hollywood, starring in major movies like This Is the End and The Wolf of Wall Street.
He is undeniably a household name - and has been for some time.
However, many fans may be surprised to learn that the actor has filed a petition to legally change his name.
Celebrities often adopt stage names for various reasons, including privacy, marketability, and personal branding.
A stage name can help maintain a level of anonymity, allowing celebrities to separate their public personas from their private lives.
This is especially valuable in preserving personal boundaries.
A unique or catchy name can make an artist more memorable and marketable, setting them apart in a competitive industry.
Well, guess what? Jonah Hill was actually the actor's stage name. Hill was the middle name rather than the last name of the Don’t Look Up star.
His full name was Jonah Hill Feldstein, and on November 29 2022, he filed to legally change his name to match his professional moniker.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the 40-year-old actor submitted a petition for a name change to the Los Angeles Superior Court.
A hearing to consider his request to drop the Feldstein last name had been scheduled for January 23, 2023.
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Upon hearing the news of the name change, social media users began making a whole host of jokes about it.
One person penned: "He should change his first name to Mole... Mole Hill. I like it."
Another joked: "Jonah Mountain instead of Hill."
A third suggested: "He should change it to McLovin."
The 21 Jump Street actor’s last name, Feldstein, comes from his father, Richard, a Hollywood business manager who has advised stars like Kate Hudson, Paul Rudd, and Adam Levine for nearly 50 years.
While Hill chose not to use the Feldstein name professionally, his sister and fellow actor Beanie Feldstein uses it in her career. However, the 31-year-old Lady Bird star also technically uses a stage name, as her full name is Elizabeth Greer “Beanie” Feldstein.
In 2018, she explained to TODAY.com why she loves her nickname, saying: “It’s not my given name, so every day I feel like it’s a choice to continue with it… Everyone always said, ‘When you’re 10, you’ll want to be Elizabeth or when you’re in college.’ And every time, I was just like, ‘No, I’m Beanie. That’s who I am.’”
She added: “I love my name because I think it really suits me.”
Their late brother Jordan, who passed away unexpectedly in 2017 at the age of 40 from a pulmonary embolism, also went by their father’s surname. Jordan Feldstein was well-regarded in the industry as a talent manager for Maroon 5.
Though Hill and Feldstein use different last names, the siblings share a close bond. Hill even has a tattoo of his sister’s name on his forearm.
In 2022, Hill expressed his pride over Feldstein’s opening night performance in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, praising her portrayal of Fanny Brice in a heartfelt Instagram post.
Alongside a childhood photo of Feldstein, he wrote, “I watched my sister @beaniefeldstein absolutely radiate off the stage tonight in @funnygirlbwy.”
Hill continued, “I’m obviously proud as her older brother, but what I saw her do tonight surpassed siblinghood or pride. Her talent caused me to cheer from the depths of my heart. I’m floored. I love you @beaniefeldstein, and I’m in awe of you and the talent you possess.”