Oppenheimer star says he is taking time away from acting to focus on his mental health and family

David Krumholtz has clarified that he is not retiring from acting, but is taking an indefinite break from his screen career to focus on his mental health.

The 48-year-old Oppenheimer star announced earlier this week that he was putting his career on hold, prompting fans to believe he was stepping away from acting permanently. He has now clarified his comments while expressing gratitude for the support he received following the announcement.

Krumholtz explained that his decision was personal rather than a criticism of Hollywood or the entertainment industry as a whole.

 “Firstly, I am very well. And I feel very loved. Secondly, I never used the word ‘retiring’ or ‘quitting’,” he wrote on Instagram.

“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,” he added.

The actor said he remains grateful for his career and the opportunities it has provided, noting that some of his biggest dreams had come true through acting.

“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,” Krumholtz said.

He also reflected on the challenges of working in the entertainment industry, describing a successful acting career as being made up of a small number of triumphs alongside numerous 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,” he said.

 “Need time to figure that out, let it heal. My mental health is vital to my family,” Krumholtz added.

David Krumholtz wants to help others

The 10 Things I Hate About You star said he plans to use his time away from acting to focus on helping people in need.

“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,” he wrote.

“And so, for the time being, I’m pursuing that goal.”

Krumholtz also reassured fans that his career is not necessarily over.

“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,” he concluded.

Krumholtz previously opened up about career fears

In his earlier announcement, Krumholtz admitted that he had been “petrified” about stopping work because he feared going broke and struggling to return to the industry.

However, he said he immediately felt relief after sending the email confirming his career break.

 “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,” Krumholtz wrote on Threads.

The actor has appeared in numerous films and television projects throughout his career, including 10 Things I Hate About You, Supergirl and Oppenheimer.