Joaquin Phoenix Quits Acting: "I'm Done"

Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix made a shocking announcement to "Extra," saying, "I want to take this opportunity...to give you the exclusive ... that this will be my last performance as an actor... I'm not doing films anymore."

Probed further by "Extra's" Jerry Penacoli, "Are you serious?" Phoenix, who was curiously being followed by his own camera crews, reiterated, "Yeah. I'm working on my music. I'm done. I've been through that."

Penacoli, still suspicious, followed up with Casey Affleck who was standing next to Phoenix. Penacoli asked, "I take it that he's kidding?" Affleck responded, "I don't think he's kidding. He's got music and stuff."

Today, "Extra" contacted Phoenix's rep for clarification and got this response: "That is what he told me."

Comments

[AmandaBC]

He's a great actor but he's not a great singer (his pitch in Walk the Line was anything but firm and "professional", and I suspect it was even electronically corrected. Reese Whiterspoon did much better than him...) If it's true, I think he's making a colossal mistake.

[Mort]

Joaquin's got his walkin papers!

[OzDanJoaquin]

He can't quit! He's the only reason why many people now know how to pronounce my name!

Not only that, he is of course a remarkable actor. From To Die For, to Gladiator, to Walk the Line, and in virtually every role he's taken on, he's proved himself to be a preternatural chameleon, capable of inhabiting a dazzling range of characters and making every one of them utterly believable. By contrast, if I heard that Keanu Reeve was going to quit acting, (or at least quit trying, unsuccessfully, to act) I'd be the first to fulsomely applaud his choice.

[ferencik]

who cares????????????????????????

[butch350]

Good thing your SHALLOW, or someone might get the idea that your STUPID!

[strangerinthenight]

Probably another set up - just like the Mark Walhber SNL talking to animals joke. I hope !

This guy is so underrated as an actor. He should give it time.

[joeneri]

What?! Get back here, you just barely started!

[ZenSufi]

He's the next Johnny Cash. The Man in Black is back.

[zorak1704]

Dont leave us!

[nolos]

great actor. I sure hope joaquin's joking.

[TongoRad]

Seems like plush gig from where I'm sitting.

[KOisGod]

He was brilliant in Gladiator. The guys got talent, but being an actor is a grind, I can't blame him.

[scmucas2001]

My wife will be devastated.

He's one of her "hotties" that she always wants to see his movies.

Best of luck to him.

[SuperBucky]

..good bye and who cares..

[DixieMelody]

You should read about his background and the hand he was dealt at birth, then just try to walk a mile in his moccasins before making such a flip unfeeling comment.

We're all fellow travelers on Planet Earth, so try to be nice.

[strangerinthenight]

That sounds interesting reading. I don't know anything about his background, just that he is one of the most under rated actor.

[Helzapoppin]

Not all that much of a shock considering he said publicly some time ago that he would be quitting acting.

[WilliamBudd]

He's a great actor. One of the few that would get me to the theatre to see whatever picture he's in. I'm sure he'll bring the same careful attention to his music as he brought to his acting roles, which means we're in for a treat.