“The stress of the moment has me wondering if there’s a higher calling to pursue,” Krumholtz, who also starred in ‘10 Things I Hate About You,’ wrote
Credit: John Nacion/Variety via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- David Krumholtz announced plans to take an “indefinite break” from acting after 34 years in acting in a since-deleted Threads post
- He cited frustrations with the pressure to build a social media presence for career advancement as one of the reasons he is stepping back
- Krumholtz will soon appear in Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story and Bullet Catch
David Krumholtz said that he is taking “an indefinite break” from acting.
“I kinda sorta put my acting career on hold the other day,” the Oppenheimer actor, 48, began in a now-deleted Threads post on Monday, Aug. 17. “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.”
The Supergirl actor said that he recently “sent the definitive email” that initiated the pause.
“A huge wave of relief washed over me,” he elaborated. “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.”
Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh/DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures
Krumholtz said he spent the past year “fighting for parts” as a character actor, adding that he felt the only opportunities he was given would “exploit my talent and reputation for a drastically diminishing return.”
“Exploitative art isn’t art,” he added. “And artists deserve a fair pay percentage for work that assists their employers in making profits.”
Krumholtz, whose credits include The Santa Clause films, 10 Things I Hate About You and the procedural Numb3rs, has several projects in the works, including the sports drama Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story with Michael Shannon and David Corenswet, and Bullet Catch, an indie drama featuring John Leguizamo.
In a post that hasn’t been deleted, Krumholtz claimed he was asked to “brand” himself on social media for “likes and follows so that I can be considered for fan conventions and internet ads just so I can make the money that simply acting on a TV show or film or stage refuses to pay me anymore.”
“I, along with many talented folks, not just actors, are being mass demoted,” Krumholtz said of his role in the entertainment industry. “Imagine you excel in your career for 34 years, just to be drastically demoted for it.”
Credit: Universal Pictures
He added that he decided not to risk “making a public ass” of himself in order to “widen” his digital footprint to be considered for roles in new projects.
“An artist’s life is a gamble,” Krumholtz wrote of his career choices. “The artist takes on the persona of a gambler. I am sick of worrying about myself, my waistline, my hairline, the superficial s–t… when I could be helping someone else.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Studio actor shared that he is still interested in acting, but that he will “stop begging” for opportunities.
“It’s a goddamn shame, but I have to be responsible for what I can control and change and that’s me and my heart,” he continued. “I can give of myself willingly, elsewhere. I can still act. I can act to make an impact, rather than a measly buck. And that’s my choice. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Credit: Buena Vista/Getty
“Gotta be grateful for all I’ve been given the opportunity to accomplish, for the folks who believed in me,” he added. “It’s been a breathtaking ride, truly. It’s been more than one big dream come true. And I slayed it. It healed a lot in me. It humbled me. I needed it. I’d be dead if I had never become an actor. I’m certain of that. And now, new life. ❤️”
When asked by a fan about what he plans to pursue instead of acting, Krumholtz replied, “Inspire kids in school through motivational speaking.”
“Not quitting entirely,” Krumholtz told another fan. “Just taking a bit of a step back and an indefinite break. The stress of the moment has me wondering if there’s a higher calling to pursue. Thanks for the very kind thought. Means the world.”
PEOPLE has reached out to a rep for Krumholtz.
Read the full article here
