Oct 29, 2008 by Brian Gallagher

Joaquin Phoenix Retiring from Acting?

Is two-time Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix actually retiring from acting? E! Online caught up with Phoenix last night who gave an impromptu announcement that he was retiring from acting to focus on a music career. The site later got confirmation, of sorts, from actor Casey Affleck. Watch this bizarre video announcement below.


If this announcement is true, then Phoenix's last performance will be in the James Grey-directed film Two Lovers, which is set for release on February 13, 2009. We'll certainly keep you updated on any new developments surrounding this big announcement.


Sources: E! Online

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Comments (40)

  1. sakai23

    its a shame. he's a wonderful actor.
    Did great in Walk The Line.

    3 years agoby @sakai23Flag

  2. Evil Resident

    I just hope his music career bring him the same luck as his acting career did if it true?

    3 years agoby @curvyaloneFlag

  3. Shelley

    The guy looks so messed up that he probably did not know what he was saying.

    3 years agoby @shelleyFlag

  4. ...YeahButTheBookWasBetter

    IM pretty sure hes just pulling a Jay Z, im sure he wants to retire but he will be back someday

    3 years agoby @theboywhocriedsequelFlag

  5. Space101

    That was a weird way to announce his retirement. But I'm sure he'll be back later on in his life. Maybe he wanted to take a break from his movie career and try something else. But he looked tipsy in this video. I really don't know what to make of it...

    3 years agoby @space101Flag

  6. Radimus-83

    f*ck thats weird.

    3 years agoby @radimus-83Flag

  7. THE JOKER

    and he was good in gladiator, we own the night, ladder 49...all his roles pretty much. it would be shame

    3 years agoby @mcleve02Flag

  8. slysnide

    That would be a shame...if it's true. he's great at what he does, and I don't picture him having an overly successful music career.

    3 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  9. The CryptKeeper

    Honestly, I don't care a whole lot. I think I only saw him in one movie- Walk the Line. He did awesome in that, so I can say he is a good actor, but not a favorite of mine.

    Oh, I also saw him in Reservation Road.... he did good in that.

    3 years agoby @catwomanFlag

  10. MovieBuff

    I think Joaquin and Casey were just f*cking with the dude. Great practical joke... if it is one haha.

    3 years agoby @moviebuff123Flag

  11. CelluloidDreams

    Strange!

    3 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  12. Phatlightning

    yea cocaine will make ya do pretty much anything.. this doesnt really surprise me, the guys going to hell in a handbasket.. the whole music deal is just a cop-out. Too bad for Hollywood.

    3 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  13. Ebonsoul

    Sad to see an actor as talented as Joaquin just walk away from the Hollywood game. i think actors like Joaquin and Daniel Day-Lewis, that actually stay in character throughout the principal shooting of a movie need to take breaks and have alot of space between movies or they burn out. He could also be fed up with the Hollywood machine. whatever the cause i wish him the best :)

    3 years agoby @ebonsoulFlag

  14. Rock

    Man that was weird , when i was raving or partying wichever drug i was on I looked kinda f*ck up like Casey and him did in that interview , thats not beeing drunk at all , kinda pathetic too

    3 years agoby @elrochoFlag

  15. The Dark Knight

    yeah he was on cocaine I could tell and plus his last film had to to with drugs, must have pushed him into the circle lol too bad you can't see his eyes. I hope hes like Johnny Cash lol

    3 years agoby @thedarkknight23Flag

  16. MaViNx

    Cocaine's a helluv a drug maaaaan.

    3 years agoby @mavinxFlag

  17. CMR-BOI

    say what???

    3 years agoby @cmrboiFlag

  18. shankanizer88

    wow what an *sshole...id stop acting to if ive done ten or more films and only 2 of them were good

    3 years agoby @shankanizer88Flag

  19. Structure (ONSTRA)

    no why the f*ck would he do that, I loved his role in walk of the line. it was really good. acting, but the movie was fine.

    3 years agoby @gaj1992Flag

  20. T.Clark

    I HATE IT WHEN ACTORS FEEL THE NEED TO GO INTO MUSIC. F*CKING STICK WITH UR CAREER IF YOU'RE A GOOD ACTOR CUZ WE DON'T GIVE TWO SH*TS ABOUT UR MUSIC

    3 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  21. The Dark Knight

    gay!!!!

    3 years agoby @thedarkknight23Flag

  22. Phil Mata

    I wish Joaquin the best of luck on this move. In entertainment transitions like these, a lot of performers aren't taken seriously because fans don't live down their past endeavors. That and I'm worried about the inevitable comparison that'll be made between Joaquin and his late actor brother River in retrospect of River's days as a struggling musician.

    3 years agoby @phil-mataFlag

  23. comic book guy

    I think when he sobers up he'll look back at this interview and say WTF was I on? And bitch slap Casey for letting get so f*cked up and acting like a Douche.

    3 years agoby @lostone01Flag

  24. Brian

    Totally agree Chad!

    3 years agoby @brianFlag

  25. Chad Vital

    I like Joaquin, but he was being kinda a pouty bitch in this interview. The guy misunderstood him by accident. I mean how many people say joking things as if they are being serious? I do it a lot and people misunderstand me all the time in real life. Not a big deal. The guy even told him he sensed he was joking around and all Joaquin had to say is no man I'm actually being serious and I know it sounds random but it's true. Not get all butt hurt cause the guy interviewing him has a sense of humor. Even Casey was being kinda a dick too. I will say in their defense the guy was not very sensitive with the information he was given when asking Casey about it.

    3 years agoby @chad-vitalFlag

  26. ikilledbill2wice

    casey and joaquin look like their both ready to throw down right about the 0:24 second marker....haha...i would have just hit him and paid E! not to sue with the money they make.

    3 years agoby @ikilledbill2wiceFlag

  27. cnote

    Thats bull-sh*t, all the good ones either Die or quit!!! Note to Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence and countless other actors who have seen better days, do us all a favor and give Joaquin a call. ;-)

    3 years agoby @cnoteFlag

  28. Deoxy

    "Why are you laughing at me..?"

    Lol. Looked liek Joaquin was about to punch that guy..

    & i agree with zynthos.. he looked & sounded like he was definately drunk.. Or high.. Either way, it seems like there may be something more we dont know. He seemed almost like he was depressed.

    3 years agoby @deoxyFlag

  29. thkbrew89

    Hallelujah!

    3 years agoby @thkbrew89Flag

  30. The Narrator: The Better Man

    Looked kinda out of it. But if this is his choice so be it. Best of luck to ya man. Will never forget you're Johnny Cash and Ceaser.

    3 years agoby @narratorFlag

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