Joaquin Phoenix says he's hanging up his thespian robes once and for all. He'll be eschewing the role of actor in favor of the "to him" more rewarding profession of rock'n'roll. Phoenix, who had at 34 is much too young for Medicare, is quitting. His new movie Two Lovers will be his final work.

"I want to take this opportunity ... to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor," said Phoenix at a fund raiser for Paul Newman's foundation for sick kids.

"I'm not doing films anymore. I've been through that. I've done it."

As for his future plans, he said he'll be "working on my music."

Unlike Jim Brown, who retired from football at the height of his powers, the retirement of Phoenix will leave questions concerning his legacy. Although he received the Best Actor nomination in 2005 for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, he's not held in as high of regard as other actors of his generation.

Time will tell if he sticks to his retirement plans, or if he ends up retired in the same way Michael Jordan or Jay-Z did. If his music flops, he'll probably return to Hollywood eagerly.

Copyright 2007-2009 by Times of the Internet. All Rights Reserved.