The Star Wars franchise is known for giving some actors their most famous roles, making them synonymous with their onscreen counterparts. As a result, these actors often find it hard to continue their acting careers outside the franchise, with some even opting to step away from the profession. However, for Freddie Prinze Jr, it was a different role that led him to quit acting.
During an interview, Prinze Jr discussed working with 24 star Kiefer Sutherland. However, the Star Wars Rebels actor admitted to not having a pleasant experience with the latter, citing it as one of the primary reasons he has had very few mainstream acting credits in the past decade. Here is why Freddie Prinze Jr decided to quit acting after working with Kiefer Sutherland.
Star Wars Rebels actor Freddie Prinze Jr admitted to quitting acting after working with Kiefer Sutherland
Freddie Prinze Jr rose to prominence during the 1990s and early 2000s. He joined the Star Wars franchise in 2014, voicing the Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus in the Rebels animated series. However, before joining the space opera saga, the actor appeared as Cole Ortiz in season 8 of 24.
The action-thriller series saw Prinze Jr sharing screen with lead star Kiefer Sutherland, who became a household name with his role as Jack Bauer. However, in an interview with ABC News, Prinze Jr admitted he did not have a pleasant experience working with Sutherland.
Kiefer was the most unprofessional dude in the world. That’s not me talking trash, I’d say it to his face, I think everyone that’s worked with him has said that. I just wanted to quit the business after that. So, I just sort of stopped.
Prinze Jr made the above comment, calling out his co-star for being unprofessional and citing it as one of the reasons he stepped away from acting.
Furthermore, the actor also stated that he was irked by having to remove his shoes while filming with Sutherland because of their height difference. Prinze Jr also stated that his experience of working with Vince McMahon was less crazy than having to deal with Sutherland’s alleged unprofessionalism.
Despite stepping away from acting, Freddie Prinze Jr will reprise one of his most famous roles
Aside from his nightmarish experience working with Sutherland, Prinze Jr has also cited his other interests as a reason for stepping away from acting. The 49-year-old, who is married to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, cited family responsibility and other ventures for cutting down on acting gigs.
I’ve really stepped away from the acting. I don’t really do that anymore.
Prinze Jr made the above statement to CBS News while promoting his cookbook in 2018. At the same time, the actor also discussed his interest in podcasting, which kept him occupied.
Since concluding his run on Rebels, Prinze Jr has made sporadic TV appearances, most notably in the short-lived 2021 reboot of Punky Brewster. He was also seen in 2022’s Netflix Christmas rom-com, Christmas with You, and the 2024 mystery thriller film The Girl in the Pool.
Despite cutting down on his film and TV appearances, Prinze Jr will reprise one of his most popular roles as Ray Bronson in the upcoming sequel to the iconic slasher horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer, which is slated for release in July this year.
Star Wars Rebels is streaming on Disney+.
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