Joaquin Phoenix retires from acting at 34! Huh?
Joaquin Phoenix is done acting.
At a recent production of Ernest Hemingway's "The World of Nick Adams" benefitting Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps, Phoenix told a surprised "Extra" reporter that he was retiring from acting.
No, really. He's done.
"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 the reporter.
When "Extra" asked why, he said, "I'm not doing films anymore. ... I'm working on my music. I'm done. I've been through that," he said on camera.
In the video above, he delivers the surprising news to a startled reporter, after which Phoenix turns and appears to storm off, leaving an uncomfortable Casey Affleck to confirm the news.
The 34-year-old Phoenix's last film will be James Gray's "Two Lovers," scheduled for release Feb. 13. He costars with Gwyneth Paltrow in the film, which has the tagline: "Sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves." No word on whether he will do press for that film. But he's probably contractually obligated to do some.
Given Phoenix's uncomfortable relationship with the media and promotional aspects of the movie biz, his "outta here" announcement is not totally surprising.
But it could also be a total goof. Remember his strange exchange at the 2006 "Walk the Line" premiere about that brain-eating frog coming out of his hair?
He was being interviewed on the red carpet when he suddenly asked the reporter, "Do I have a large frog in my hair?"
Reporter: No, no.
Phoenix: "Something's crawling out of my scalp."
Reporter: No, you look great.
Phoenix: "No, but I feel it. I'm not worried about the looks. I'm worried about the sensation of my brain being eaten. ... What did you ask me?"
Phoenix has been working on a record with the British band the Charlatans. And he's already won a Grammy for his work on the "Walk the Line" soundtrack.
Phoenix has been nominated for two Oscars, one for his portrayal of legendary singer Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line" and another for his supporting role in "Gladiator," with Russell Crowe, in 2000.
Maybe he'll come back someday. We hope so. Dude's a dynamite actor.
Post a comment
- Most Liked
- Most Commented
Expect he does need a rest ! Not everyone can cope withall the turmoil that is present on a film set.
"I'm worried about the sensation of my brain being eaten. ... What did you ask me?"
WTF?
The guy is such a pleasure to watch. Wouldn't we all like to be at a place in our lives where we can be choosy about what we spend our lives doing? More power to him!
I don't blame him at all. I wouldn't want all those vultures hovering over me asking me stupid questions for the rest of my life. I'm sure he has other interests he wants to explore in solace. Best of luck to you, Joaquin
I hope he is not going to be gone from acting for long. This is also around the time that his brother, River died on Halloween 1993. Maybe this is a hard time for him. Joaquin is a wonderful actor. I'm sure he is a great musician as well. :)
Good. His acting sucks.
I think he actually had a epipfany to take the pursuit of music. I think he wants to help get music back to the way music was. some actors have tried to drive that road and failed. Sometimes it takes a hard cold stop at something your good at to pursuit something u have more of a passion for and think right now his passion is music.
Good for him, and I wish him the best in future projects. He's never seemed terribly happy with media scrutiny: perhaps he'll gain a sense of freedom from leaving acting. I can't say I'd want to live under a microscope like celebrities do.
This came as such a shock for me. He's such a brilliant actor...he's my favorite actor.
Aw, I really hopes he picks it up soon again.
But, if he's passionate about music then he should commit his time to that.
I think the reporter was an idiot. Joaquin told him he was serious and he should've taken him at his word. I would've totally turned my back on him too. That was unprofessional on the reporters part. Why would Joaquin waste precious time on him. Good for Joaquin! I can't wait to hear his music. He's got such a sexy voice.