Yes! He's one of my favorites

Yes. He has a very unique talent that won't be easily replaced.

I give him a year before he comes back crying how much he missed making movies. please.

how is Casey is brother in law?

his*

Please. Joaquin didn't quit acting, acting quit him.

I never was into him. I couldn't even tell you what he was in

amloveaffair, Casey is married to Joaquin's sister.

I think Joaquin is a great actor, but he's never really done it for me. None of his performances are very noteworthy, at least to me.

He's got to be kidding, remember when he asked a reporter if he had a frog in his hair? He's weird like that sometimes. He can't just walk away...who will I have to fantasize about??

Gladiator was on TV the other day and it reminded me what a great actor I think he is. I love him in that movie.

He'll be back to acting..

no, not really..but i have a feeling he will be back.

He'll be back.

Whenever people make statements like this I wonder... I mean why decide between the two?

ah thanks Heidi!

I'm still hoping he was kidding...

He's one of my favorites...absolutely love him and don't think this is the last we'll see of him. I was at this event the other night and he was out of his mind... During the performance (after this interview) you couldn't understand a word he was saying...it was pretty sad to watch... So...who knows, but I think this was just a moment in time where he was high on something and didn't know what he was saying... and hopefully, if he gets himself together, he'll be back to acting...because he is a pretty incredible talent.

well i think that it's an interesting move that he's making, but i kind of have a feeling that down the road he'll be back. you can't take the actor out of the man..right? i think that it's nice that he wants to try something different and hopefully spend more time with his family.

the thing with casey is that his career is finally taking off and i think that if he were to walk away now - that wouldn't be very smart. people wouldn't remember him as much, and he would still be ben's brother..

Yes;He is a fantastic actor.
I hope he'll get around to change his mind about his decision.

please... he will be back...

Devistated....I enjoy his work and I think he is sexy!

Missyjq...My sister saw that performance in SF on Monday night and said the same thing. That she couldn't understand a word he said. She thought he appeared really f**ked up on something!

DWG is. LOL as long as she can hear him sing and see him on album covers, she should be ok.

He has always been pretty shy. He seemed like one of those guys that hated being a celebrity. I don't blame him! It's too bad though, he was an incredible actor. His performance in Gladiator was amazing.

He'll totally be back...loved him in Gladiator...and Walk the Line.

I always find it funny when successful actors want to be musicians. I have a friend that has done very well as an actor, and wants to give it all up to be a musician. I think his success has gone to his head a bit. But I wish Joaquin the best of luck if this is the path that will truly make him happy!

My first thought was that maybe he's kidding and high. He's appeared pretty toasted in most appearances I've read about in the last year or so. Hopefully he'll address that issue and come back to acting.

Has anyone heard his music? Is it any good?

I have never seen him in a single movie...how is that possible?

Yes!!!! Great actor and awesome person.

Is he really that great of a musician? He's a good actor though.

I still don't believe him. And Exclusive for E by Joaquin Phoenix seems like a joke to me. He's just messing with press.

Hope he'll go the rehab/monastery/wherever and come back clean and hungry for juicy roles.

I agree Papaver. He seems like he has a substance abuse problem.

I dont believe him!

I thought he sounded drunk or high in that interview. I don't completely believe it. And yes I would miss him! He made the Shyamalan movies even BETTER than they were because of his presence! Plus, I don't know that anyone could have played "The Man in Black" as well as he did.

I sincerely hope he was kidding.

Sounds like he should at least take a break, but for rehab, not music. If not, it's just going to get worse.

um no not so much..

I REALLY hope Papaver is right...Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best actors I've ever watched -- Johnny Depp is the only I think is better than him. I'm afraid he's into drugs and that breaks my heart.

He has always appeared to have a bad attitude (I think) so I could care less, however, that's not to say he isn't talented.

He's gotten beefy!

I heard this and was like, oh okay, nothing big. But then I perused my DVD collection and remembered how amazing he is in LADDER 49, We Own the Night, and Walk the Line. I do love him, so maybe he'll change his mind?

Can't say I am

I dont care either way The only movies I've seen him in are Signs, Brother Bear, and Walk the Line...he was great in all of them but he's not one of my favorite actors. I have a feeling her will be back though.

SIGH. This is awful news! Joaquin is one of my favorites!!! (((

I hope he changes his mind Love him :*

I hope he changes his mind Love him :*

So sad that he's retiring from acting ...he's so passionate with his work and truly applies himself to the art of acting. So sad to also see the physical condition that he currently is in considering how gorgeous he looked during the filming of "Walk The Line" as he depicted music legend Johnny Cash. He did prove his vocal abilities, however, on the movie's soundtrack so perhaps he will be as much a success in making music as he was in acting. I just hope he cleans up his act as he surely seemed to be on something during his public declaration of his retirement from acting. Such a shame since I've seen him speak so elloquently and intelligently during TV interviews in the past.