Jared Leto did it.
Keanu Reeves did it ... for a while. Now
Joaquin Phoenix is doing it. That is, he's giving up his flourishing acting career for music.
Phoenix shocked Extra's Jerry Penacoli at a benefit for
Paul Newman's camps for kids Monday, announcing his plans to quit acting.
"I want to take this opportunity ... to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor," the two-time Oscar nominee told Extra. "I'm not doing films anymore."
"Are you serious?" asked the stunned Penacoli.
"Yeah. I'm working on my music," Phoenix insisted. "I'm done. I've been through that."
His rep confirmed the retirement to Extra.
Phoenix has been a working actor since he was 10-years-old with memorable performances in Space Camp and Parenthood -- possibly, he's ready for a change?
The 34-year-old performer gave no further details on his career plans -- but he has been working on a record for some time with British band The Charlatans.
Phoenix, who costars in the upcoming romantic drama Two Lovers with
Gwyneth Paltrow, first learned to play guitar for his Academy-Award-nominated role as
Johnny Cash in 2005's Walk The Line.
http://www.hollywood.com/news/Joaquin_Dunzo_With_Acting/5335169
