Should Joaquin Phoenix Quit Hollywood?
Were you not entertained?
Joaquin Phoenix has announced that he is quitting acting, at the age of 34.
"I want to take this opportunity ... also to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor," Phoenix told a stunned Extra reporter. "I’m not doing films anymore. ... I’m working on my music. I’m done. I’ve been through that," he said on camera.
Is it really the end? The two-time Oscar nominee, formerly known as Leaf Phoenix, is working on a record. His most recent film, Two Lovers, with Gwyneth Paltrow, will release on Feb. 13 and has favorable buzz from the film festival circuit.
This reminds me of other actors who have either threatened to retire and haven't, or did "retire":
John Corbett, circa 2004
What he said then: "I’m getting out of acting. I’m bored. I’ve been doing this for so long and I can’t do this anymore. I’ve got one more to promote after this one and then it’s, ‘Thank you, Jesus, I don’t have to do this anymore.’"
What he did then: Embarked on a country music career. Quotes around "career"?
What he says now: "I think the last time I said that, I was kind of joking. I don’t think I am going to quit acting, I was kind of just having fun with myself saying those things out loud … because I don’t know what else (besides acting) I would do to express myself."
Sean Penn, 1991, 2001, 2007 and anytime in between
What he said then: "Filmmaking is more interesting to me than acting. With acting, I've gone from a love-hate relationship to a dark, bitter hatred. You might be fascinated with the material, you get three weeks into it and you're like, 'I'm trapped here'. That drives me out of my mind.
What he did then: Received four Oscar nominations for acting, winning for Mystic River in 2004.
What he says now: "Financially, movies bleed you. That's why I keep acting; it's largely a financial matter, trying to keep afloat during the downtime when I'm trying to make my own movies." Basically, he acts to pay the bills so he can direct. Isn't it grand? Someone who looks at acting as a job also manages to be consistently brilliant? (Somewhere, the cast of 90210 are kicking themselves.)
Freddie Prinze Jr., 2003
What he said then: ''I'm going to stop acting in the next few years because it's just too weird. You have to constantly be willing to live in a scary, emotional place, which is why actors are in therapy all the time.''
What he did then: Penned an episode of Mutant X, then stuck to voice over work and small indie films. He then starred in his own series, Freddie, which lasted one season, and had a recurring role on Boston Legal as the son of William Shatner.
What Vince McMahon says now: The Prinze has joined the WWE as an official member of the creative team behind the scenes. McMahon says "Freddie Prinze Jr.'s passion, energy and creativity make him an excellent fit for WWE." does this mean he'll be composing some of those hilarious soap-opera storylines?
Ricky Gervais, 2008
What he said then: "I'm not going to make a career of it (acting), certainly not. Being one of the leads is very nice and flattering. But I'm not pursuing it. I've never wanted to be an actor. I've never thought of myself as one. Let's face it, I'm not a great actor, but I have fun doing it. I'm still going to write, direct."
What he did then: Stole the show at the Emmys by demanding Steve Carell to hand over the trophy Gervais won last year, igniting buzz that he should be the next Oscar host.
Nicolas Cage, 2008
What he said then: “Some movie stars look like they are having a ball, but I’m tired of it. It has made me reclusive. That is an increasingly gnawing feeling in my body. When I first started I loved it. One of my frustrations is I have no control. I haven’t worked in a while, and it will be eight months before I start my next picture. I know for the first time which direction I’m going in and what changes I want to make.”
What he did then: Has no less than 14 films in the can or in pre-production. Sounds like someone isn't ready to say goodbye.
Do you think threatening to quit is a ploy for attention, or do they really mean it? Any longtime actors you wish would follow suit and go into early retirement? --Ellen
julesverne on October 30, 2008 at 05:42 PM
I think a lot of people say a lot of things and just because they are "actors" we shouldn't hold them to it. Look at the number of people that make New Year's resolutions every year only to quit. It's a non-relevant subject and you know it.
on October 31, 2008 at 10:04 AM
who cares?
on October 31, 2008 at 03:31 PM
How interesting that most of these "actor's" just happen to be Nepotism Brat Packers, born & raised in MALIBU who've never had to work, have had everything handed to them. These ungrateful spoiledBrats have led incredibly privilidged lives. Listen to their snivelling self-pity..Poor things: Life is soooo tough for Rich-Kids! awwwww
Holly on November 02, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Yes, I do have a nominee, the boring Jennifer Aniston. I had hoped that being dumped by Brad Pitt would have shaken her up so badly that she effaced herself from the universe, but she continues to inflict her plain face and total lack of acting abilty onto movie audiences.