Jonah Hill Didn’t Like His Wolf of Wall Street Character Donnie Azoff

Although most people consider the performance of Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street to be iconic and one of his best, the actor was not actually a fan of this particular character. Hill famously played Donnie Azoff alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrayed Jordan Belfort – the infamous millionaire stockbroker.

Jonah Hill Didn’t Like Azoff

Jonah Hill Didn't Like His Wolf of Wall Street Character Donnie Azoff

Due to his admiration for Martin Scorsese, Jonah Hill agreed to audition for the role of Donnie Azoff after not having to do so for six-year. According to an interview in 2014, Hill recounted how he was informed that he would be traveling to New York to meet Scorsese. Prior to meeting Scorsese, Hill had the opportunity to meet with Leonardo DiCaprio and passionately explain why he felt he was the best fit for the role. Fortunately, DiCaprio was supportive of Hill’s argument.

Following his conversation with DiCaprio, Jonah Hill traveled to New York to meet with Scorsese. He expressed his desire to showcase his take on the character rather than simply pleading for the role. Hill was given the opportunity to audition with Scorsese himself, and he was ultimately successful in landing the role.

Hill Auditioned in Front of Scorsese

Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street

Although Jonah Hill secured a significant role that changed his career, he confessed that he disliked his character, Donnie. Hill revealed that he struggled with Donnie’s disrespectful treatment of others. Specifically, Hill mentioned a scene involving a goldfish, where he threw something at a child and subsequently caused him to cry. He also fired the child and forced him to watch as he ate his goldfish, which Hill found humiliating. Reflecting on his performance after filming, Hill felt remorseful and regretted his actions in the scene.

Despite his discomfort with his character, Jonah Hill’s performance in The Wolf of Wall Street was critically acclaimed, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal of Donnie Azoff showcased his ability to play complex and challenging roles.