Dylan Minnette has divided opinions after opening up about his decision to step away from acting.
The 27-year-old actor has been featured in several acclaimed movies and TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Supernatural, and Prison Break.
However, he is best known for his role as Clay Jensen in the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which aired between 2017 and 2020.
The show follows Jensen as he is left to pick up the pieces following the sudden death of Hannah Baker (portrayed by Katherine Langford).
Minnette briefly returned to acting after 13 Reasons Why ended, appearing in the fifth Scream movie and Hulu limited series The Dropout in 2022.
The young actor is also a musician and guitarist for his alternative indie-rock band Wallows, alongside members Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston.
During his recent interview on the Zach Sang Show, Minnette reflected on why he stepped away from acting and is now fully focused on his music career.
Watch Minnette's interview below:The 'Open House' actor said that he was "fortunate" to find success in his acting career, adding: "I was on 13 Reasons Why and it was really popular and definitely reached a peak in what I've had in acting."
He then revealed that acting "started to feel like a bit of a job," explaining: "I feel like Wallows and music is this passion that we've always had as a group to take all the way as far as we can."
"I feel like I'm in a position now where I can do that for a while and get this the furthest it can be and the only way that's going to happen is if I put my 100 percent time and energy into it and take it very seriously and show the world that we all take this very seriously," he added.
Dylan went on to acknowledge how “privileged” he is to have been able to step away from on-screen work as soon as it started to feel “like a job.”
"It’s insane, but it's working out that way, and I’m just following what feels inspiring," he concluded.
Despite acknowledging how lucky he is to be in this position, Minnette's comments left many people confused and sparked a debate online.
One person questioned: "So he stopped doing his job because it was feeling like a job?" and a second chimed in: "I hate it when my job starts feeling like a job."
"I’m getting tired of hearing actors who are so lucky to have a career in this field and then complain about it as if they’re doing a 9-5," a third more blasted:
Meanwhile, a few users understood where the actor was coming from as one hit back at critics: "Losing passion and the spark for something you once loved is so draining mentally and physically…so I get it."
"He’s not saying he’s not grateful for his career people need to stop trying to flip it," they added.
A second defended: "This man has been acting since he was 11, he can say and feel whatever he wants. leave him the f*** alone."
"People making fun of him but working 13 reasons why is probably the acting equivalent of working a Walmart on black Friday. Let him rest," someone quipped.
Do you guys think Minnette is wrong for saying he quit acting because it started to feel "like a job"? Share your thoughts!
