JOAQUIN PHOENIX RETIRES

Joaquin Phoenix, who turned 34 years old just yesterday, stunned E! Online reporter Jason Kennedy with the announcement that he would be retiring from acting.

The two-time Oscar nominee stated this on the red carpet at a Monday benefit for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, a charity founded by Paul Newman.

Phoenix said that "Two Lovers," his upcoming romantic drama with Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw, will be his final on-screen role.

Phoenix is apparently giving up acting to pursue music, a passion of his since he learned to play guitar to play the role of Johnny Cash in 2005's "Walk the Line."

According to Billboard, Phoenix is working on an album with Tim Burgess, frontman for the UK group The Charlatans. Burgess said, "Once he learnt guitar he found that he had quite a lot of demons inside himself that he wanted to expel through music."

Loved the guy in both Gladiator and Signs and it's too bad we won't get to see more of an actor whom I felt was just coming into his own with his best work still ahead of him.

I must say that I'm extremely shocked by this news. It's a bold and brave decision especially in Hollywood, but Our Movie Date wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Joaquin Phoenix Shocks With Retirement Announcement