David Krumholtz clarifies career break comments
Oppenheimer star David Krumholtz has clarified he is not retiring from acting completely, but needs to take time out for the sake of his mental health.
Oppenheimer star David Krumholtz has clarified he is not retiring, but needs to take time out for the sake of his mental health.
The 48-year-old actor announced earlier this week he was taking an "indefinite break" from his screen career, but he's now clarified his remarks as he expressed his gratitude for the support he's received in the wake of his announcement and explained his decision stems from a "me problem, not a Hollywood as a whole" issue.
He wrote on Instagram: "Firstly, I am very well. And I feel very loved. Secondly, I never used the word “retiring” or “quitting”.
"Instead, I said that I decided to put my career on hold.
"I don’t expect anyone to understand, but the outpouring of support for my decision has been deeply heartwarming.
"I am wildly grateful, as more than one of my biggest dreams have come true as a result of being an actor. Grateful to all who support and believe in me.
"However, a time has come where the weight of those dreams and ambitions has become surprisingly oppressive. That’s a me problem, not a Hollywood as a whole problem.
"There are no rules that guarantee success, but I know this: an amazing career in this business consists of a small handful of triumphs, but not without a mountain of disappointments.
"I love my mountain of disappointments, I do, but I’m human and my mountain is starting to sting more than it used to. Need time to figure that out, let it heal. My mental health is vital to my family."
The 10 Things I Hate About You star hopes to use his break in order to help "others in need".
He added: "My career has run the gamut. I’m in disbelief. But I find myself at a crossroads between the inherent self involvement being a professional actor requires, and a burning desire to give more of myself to others in need, in whatever way I can. And so, for the time being, I’m pursuing that goal.
"There’s still more work to come. Stuff to be seen. And as always, I really hope you enjoy what I’ve put out there. Just,… gimme a sec.(sic)"
In his earlier post, David admitted he had been "petrified" to stop working because he was worried he'd go broke and not be able to handle being out of the game.”
However, the Supergirl star felt instant relief when he “sent the definitive email” to action the career break.
He continued on Threads: “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.”
Despite having 147 acting credits to his name, David told fans that he has spent the last 12 months “fighting for parts”, and said that the only roles he was offered were ones that would “exploit my talent and reputation for a drastically diminishing return”.
He concluded the Threads post, which has now been deleted, by writing: “Exploitative art isn’t art. And artists deserve a fair pay percentage for work that assists their employers in making profits.”
