Jul 30, 2011 10:38 GMT  ·  By
Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in “Moneyball,” as seen in the official trailer
   Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in “Moneyball,” as seen in the official trailer

Two weeks ago, actor Jonah Hill wowed the world when he walked the red carpet at the ESPY Awards 40 pounds less the man he used to be. A new report suggests his time with Brad Pitt may have had a lot to do with his decision to lose weight.

As we also noted at the time, upon “unveiling” his slimmer, healthier physique, Hill told reporters that he just decided, one day, to live a healthier life because continuing the one he had simply wouldn’t do anymore.

So, he started eating healthier, cut out junk food and all bad treats, and, of course, began exercising as well.

The latest print issue of Star magazine (story via here) offers another explanation for the amazing weight loss: Brad Pitt motivated Hill into getting in shape.

The two worked together on “Moneyball,” which comes out in the US this September, and Pitt got Hill to see that he was putting himself at risk by being so unhealthy.

At first, he would just joke about Jonah’s weight, calling him by the nickname he gave him, “Fat Man,” but, as they grew closer, he started taking matters into his own hands, says the report.

Soon, “Brad started lecturing Jonah about taking care of his body, eating healthy and getting regular exercise,” an unnamed source tells the tab.

In almost no time, Brad’s preaching was showing results.

“Jonah started avoiding ‘fried, fatty food and desserts at the crafts services table,’ the source explains. But he struggled, so Brad invited him to early morning baseball practice. ‘They were exercising by 6 a.m.,’ the source added,” Star writes.

This was just the beginning: Brad had made Jonah understand that something needed to be done and, most importantly, he was doing it.

“Eventually, Brad not only hired a personal trainer but ‘also bough Jonah more than $1,500 in new, casual clothes as an incentive after Jonah shed the first 15 lbs.’,” Star claims.

“Now 40 lbs. lighter, ‘Jonah says he’s forever indebted to Brad for helping him,’ the source explains,” writes the tab.