Actor David Krumholtz, who has more than 140 credits spanning over three decades, has said he is putting his acting career on hold, citing frustration and exhaustion with the showbiz world.
Krumholtz, known for films including The Santa Clause, Superbad, Oppenheimer and the recent Supergirl, made the shocking announcement in a social media post that he later deleted.
In the post, the actor said he had finally overcome his long-standing fear of stepping away from professional acting. "I kinda sorta put my acting career on hold the other day. It's been something I've been petrified to do for years. Specifically, the fear was that I'd go broke and not be able to handle being out of the game," he wrote. Krumholtz said he had sent an email formally communicating his decision and felt a "huge wave of relief" afterwards.
"Not sure what I'm going to do for money instead, or how I'm going to do it, but I just removed a humongous burden, one that I truly didn't fathom the weight of until it was gone. Frustrated, fed up, fried," he said. The announcement prompted an outpouring of reactions from fans and fellow actors, leading Krumholtz to elaborate on his decision in subsequent comments.
He said professional acting and the act of performing itself had become two different things for him. "Acting professionally is a very different concept than the exercise of acting itself. I've enjoyed every single minute of exercising the muscle. I've enjoyed the fanfare," he wrote.
Krumholtz said that while competition and self-involvement had once helped drive his career, he no longer felt the same motivation. "Much to my overwhelming surprise. There will always be great joy in the exercise. But for me, the profession has lost its gleam," he said.
Actor Garret Dillahunt was among those who responded to the announcement, saying he was saddened by the news but felt happy for Krumholtz.
In response, Krumholtz clarified that he was not necessarily ending his creative life altogether but was looking to redefine his relationship with his career. "Ain't over, rather, redefining my terms. Hoping to find a new, more rewarding passion," he wrote.
