Life After ‘Boyhood’: Ellar Coltrane Steps Away from Hollywood

Ellar Coltrane, known for his role in Richard Linklater’s film ‘Boyhood’, has distanced himself from Hollywood. The movie, which detailed a boy’s journey growing up in Texas, received critical acclaim. Filmed over 12 years, it featured Coltrane as Mason Evans Jr. He was 18 when it premiered.

Coltrane, now 31, said he is currently removed from the film industry. He shared with Variety, “I’ve acted in a couple of short films. One was ‘El Fantasma’ filmed in Mexico City, where I played Lee Harvey Oswald.” He also mentioned a short film from El Paso, ‘So, Who Was It This Time?’. Coltrane noted his involvement with the independent film community in El Paso, comparing its energy to Austin two decades ago.

The actor reflected on not being as engaged in the entertainment industry anymore. Despite participating in the ‘Boyhood’ reunion at Austin’s AFS Cinema, he expressed his current focus. “I do manual labor,” Coltrane explained. “I’m a volunteer firefighter and working on my EMT license.” Yet, he acknowledged missing film set collaborations.

Coltrane commented on his preference for working with passionate directors on independent projects. He said, “When I connect closely with an artist, I feel I can contribute significantly.” While Coltrane enjoys acting, he admitted feeling out of place on large film sets.

‘Boyhood’, notable for its unique filming approach, garnered multiple awards. Coltrane expressed gratitude for his experience, highlighting the collaborative learning environment fostered by Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke. He stated, “I hope to join more small, independent passion projects.”

Reflecting on his childhood acting career, Coltrane feels fortunate for his path. “Being a child actor is often challenging,” he mentioned. “Interacting with others from long-term projects made me appreciate having privacy during early fame.” Patricia Arquette, who portrayed his on-screen mother, won an Oscar for her role in ‘Boyhood’.