Jonah Hill Triggers Hollywood Conversation as He Quits Los Angeles Celebrity Lifestyle and Relocates Family to Small Town Near San Diego for Privacy and Peace

Jonah Hill is joining a growing list of Hollywood names stepping away from Los Angeles, and this time he’s explaining exactly why.

The 42-year-old filmmaker and actor says the decision wasn’t about distancing himself from the industry, but about creating a calmer environment for his family.

Speaking during a live recording of the SmartLess podcast at the Avalon Hollywood on Saturday, Hill shared that he and his wife, Olivia Millar, are now raising their two children in San Diego after leaving LA a few years ago.

“I wanted to leave LA and raise a family outside of Los Angeles,” he told the audience, describing the shift as intentional and deeply personal.

Life in a “Very Small Town” Away from Hollywood Noise

Hill explained that their new home is in a much quieter community where daily life feels far removed from celebrity culture.

He said the move happened about three years ago, and it’s been a refreshing change of pace.

According to his account shared with People, he now lives somewhere he describes as a “very small town” with neighbors who don’t treat him like a celebrity.

“They never treat me weird or ask me about my job or anything,” he said, adding that one of his closest neighbors is a doctor named Sean, whom he considers a good friend.

“He never bothered me or was like, ‘Oh, what’s this person like?’”

The actor also took a moment during the live show to acknowledge his wife in the audience, calling her his “best friend” and warmly greeting her from the stage.

“Shout out to my beautiful wife, Liv. Where is she? Oh, what’s up, baby?” he said with a smile.

Looking Back at Growing Up in Los Angeles

While Hill is choosing distance from LA life today, he also reflected fondly on his upbringing in the city during the 1990s.

He told hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett that growing up in Los Angeles back then felt uniquely open and creative.

“I grew up here. LA was such a cool place to grow up in the ’90s,” he said, recalling a time when teenagers could skateboard downtown, sneak into movie premieres, or catch comedy shows featuring stars like Chris Rock.

He described it as a rare mix of access and freedom, where pop culture and underground scenes blended naturally.

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“There was no internet. It was just so awesome,” he added.

Personal Milestones Kept More Private Until Recently

Hill has also been increasingly open about major life changes.

Earlier this month, during a conversation with filmmaker Martin Scorsese, he revealed he is married and now a father of two.

“The only thing that could separate me from my family is the editing room,” he said, emphasizing how central his home life has become.

Hill and Millar—daughter of 1980s model Esmé Marshall—were first publicly linked in 2022 in Santa Barbara.

Their first child arrived in June 2023, and the couple has since welcomed a second baby.

A Bigger Trend: Hollywood Stars Leaving LA Behind

Hill isn’t alone in making a lifestyle shift away from Los Angeles.

Comedian Nikki Glaser returned to St. Louis in 2022 after years in Southern California, later documenting parts of the move in her reality series Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?.

She has said she settled back into her hometown after the pandemic and never really left again.

Actor Luke Grimes also stepped away from Hollywood, relocating to Montana with his wife Bianca Rodrigues Grimes and their young son.

He has spoken about preferring a slower, more grounded environment.

Meanwhile, actor Josh Duhamel moved from LA to North Dakota with his wife Audra Mari, embracing a more outdoors-focused life while raising their family.

Impact and Consequences

Hill’s move adds momentum to a noticeable cultural shift among entertainers who are rethinking what “success” looks like beyond Hollywood’s center.

While LA remains the entertainment capital, more actors and comedians are prioritizing privacy, family stability, and community life over constant public exposure.

For the industry itself, this trend subtly changes how talent engages with production schedules, remote work possibilities, and long-term residency in Los Angeles.

It also reflects a broader post-pandemic reassessment of lifestyle priorities across professions.

What’s Next?

Hill appears to be balancing both worlds—continuing his filmmaking career while keeping family life firmly outside the Hollywood spotlight.

Given his comments about the “editing room” being the only thing that pulls him away, future projects will likely be structured around his new home base.

For now, he seems settled, with no indication of returning to LA living anytime soon.

The pattern suggests more creative professionals may continue following similar paths as they weigh career demands against personal well-being.

Summary

Jonah Hill has confirmed he left Los Angeles with his wife Olivia Millar to raise their children in a quieter San Diego-area community.

Speaking on SmartLess, he described a peaceful life away from Hollywood attention, close friendships with neighbors, and a strong focus on family.

His move aligns with a growing number of celebrities choosing to leave LA for smaller, slower-paced towns across the United States.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Jonah Hill left Los Angeles about three years ago to raise his family in a quieter town near San Diego
• He shares two children with wife Olivia Millar
• Hill described his neighborhood as peaceful, private, and free from celebrity attention
• He spoke about his LA upbringing in the 1990s, calling it creative and freedom-filled
• He recently revealed he is married and emphasized family as his top priority
• Other celebrities like Nikki Glaser, Luke Grimes, and Josh Duhamel have also left LA for smaller communities
• The trend reflects a broader shift toward privacy and lifestyle balance among entertainment figures