After taking up a liking and interest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jonathan Lipnicki — the kid from Jerry Maguire and Stuart Little — has had a stunning physical transformation.
At just six years old, the young actor stole the hearts of many in the blockbuster films he was a part of, especially his debut in 1996 in Jerry Maguire as the son of Renée Zellweger’s character. Jonathan’s signature spiky blonde hair and sweet smile have always painted him as an innocent, loving boy.
As the years passed, he discovered a love for something completely different — Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which changed his appearance entirely. He still continued to star in various film projects, such as Like Mike and the TV show The Resident.
An early introduction to acting was exactly what the Stuart Little actor needed, as it allowed him to search for other interests that made him happy
According to the Irish Mirror, the actor started training in martial arts when he was a teenager. Fourteen years later in 2020, Jonathan earned his black belt in jiu-jitsu.
In 2012, he revealed to ESPN how he went down this unexpected path.
The child actor grew up in Westlake Village, a suburb of Los Angeles. It was there that he encountered a fighter who said he’d teach him how to box, which later brought him down the path of jiu-jitsu training.
Jonathan said: “My family actually owns an MMA promotion company, so it’s kind of a family deal. It’s called Fight Sports Entertainment and they throw amateur fights in California. Because of that, I’ve given my mom a lot of the fighters to fight in a show.
“I’m actually training one of my friends right now — he’s fighting a jiu-jitsu guy. So I’m his sparring guy. If it’s someone way better, I won’t be a good sparring partner.”
While Jonathan isn’t a professional MMA fighter and sees himself as just a “student,” he’s proud of his ability to help budding martial artists train and improve their techniques.
Many of his pictures on Instagram feature his jiu-jitsu training sessions, proudly displaying his black belt. His followers and fans have shown support throughout his journey.
One fan commented: “I remember watching you as a little kid. And now you’re a freaking beast and we practice the same martial arts. I think that’s so incredible! Thanks for the memories and now the extra inspiration!”
Although there has been much love on his Instagram page, some users on Facebook didn’t share the same sentiment. Some fans are supportive, while others have commented things such as: “Still looks like a kid.”
In a post that went live on February 3, 2020, Jonathan shared his gratitude for the sport, writing in the caption: “If you have ever thought about trying BJJ, do it! I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it!”
One user said: “Yes! Been your fan for so long. I feel like I’ve been on the journey with you. Congrats Johnny!!!”
Martial arts has extended to all areas of the amateur fighter’s life, and it’s helped in more ways than one
Jiu-jitsu is not only a passion that Jonathan has discovered along the way, but it has also aided greatly in his concentration and dedication to becoming a better actor. He mentioned that many people assume he isn’t going to be skilled enough or think his martial arts training is exclusively private. This has only fueled him to be better.
According to an article examining the changes in one’s lifestyle with the practice of jiu-jitsu, it’s clear this sport has both mental and physical health benefits. A few of these include the ability to develop strength and coordination, self-confidence, and flexibility. Faster reflexes and a clearer mind without the constant bog of stress and anxiety are also common.
A Grappling Insider post has also revealed that many celebrities, such as Tom Hardy, Jonah Hill, Usher, and more, all practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
But his work as a martial artist extends beyond just a hobby.
Puberty did this to him. Awwhh ♥ Jonathan Lipnicki #mma pic.twitter.com/98Us7HaGx9
— えじ🌻 (@ejiiboo) April 2, 2014
Jonathan Lipnicki has always found power and purpose with jiu-jitsu, but he can now put it to good use in the fight against antisemitism
In 2021, the rise in violence against Jews and antisemitic hate crimes in Los Angeles hit an alarming rate, most likely due to the increased awareness of the Israel-Palestine crisis. This was a stark reminder that Jonathan’s background in jiu-jitsu could greatly help others, especially since the child actor himself comes from a Jewish family.
Jonathan and his friend Remy Franklin, another martial arts enthusiast, organized groups in order to protect Jews who were going to worship at the synagogue.
A few of the incidents they came across included assailants attempting to run over Jewish kids, shooting them with paintballs, and yelling antisemitic slurs.
Jonathan told TMZ: “A lot of us are martial artists or own martial arts gyms and not all of us are Jewish. It’s just people wanting to help other people.
“Everyone should have the right to worship without being discriminated against.”
Image credits: jonathanlipnicki
Since moving from Los Angeles, the child prodigy has embarked on a new and exciting chapter
According to the Brotherly Love podcast, Jonathan, now 33 years old, lives in Oklahoma and has fallen in love with how peaceful everything is. But that doesn’t mean he has given up on acting forever.
The audition process for movies is mainly virtual, so there was no reason to stay in Hollywood when the rest of the world was out there to explore. He said, “Everything I do is either Zoom or self-tape anyway. I wanted to see what it’s like to live somewhere else.”
Starting in 2023, Jonathan Lipnicki joined the production and distribution company Buffalo 8 as an executive producer, as stated in Variety. His role falls within the services department, where he will play a key role in project development and packaging.
It seems that, at the end of the day, the Jerry Maguire star will always find that his roots lead him back to the film industry.
Image credits: Troy Lives The Dream
Most Instagram reactions to the young actor’s transformation were positive, but some users on FaceBook didn’t share the same sentiment
