Isaiah Washington has announced his retirement from acting, but also seems like he’s immediately had a change of heart.
Washington took to Twitter on Feb. 28 to make the announcement, saying he was leaving the entertainment industry with a “heavy heart and a sense of relief.” He cited “haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots” as the reason for his departure.
His full tweet:
It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today. Those who have been Following/Witnessing my journey here on Twatter since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won. I’m no longer interested in the back and forth regarding a ‘color construct’ that keeps us human beings divided nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic. I will be traveling this great country before it falls into Socialism and then Communism. Until then, know that this Frederick Douglass Conservative will keep his powder dry and loves you all! I am truly grateful for your support over the years. It looks like CORSICANA #CorsicanaMovie may be the last time you see me as an Actor born here in America. Just know that I will be posting a few pictures of my retirement shenanigans here and there, but until then. Be safe out there. Your loved ones love you and need you. SALUTE! 🤙🏾
However, it seems Washington may not be entirely done with acting after all. In a surprising turn of retirement events, the actor tweeted a GoFundMe page on March 1, asking for donations toward his $1 million independent movie project, about Bass Reeves, who was the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River.
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Bass Reeves was a real-life lawman who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. He was born into slavery in Arkansas in 1838 and eventually became a U.S. Deputy Marshal, serving in the Oklahoma Territory. Reeves is best known for his ability to capture criminals, and he is believed to have arrested over 3,000 people during his time as a marshal. Most recently Delroy Lindo portrayed him in “The Harder They Fall” and theres a limited series from Taylor Sheriden starring David Oyelowo as Reeves in the works as well.
Washington wrote on the fundraising page that after seeing the positive response to his retirement announcement, he realized he had been successful outside of the traditional Hollywood system for the last 15 years. He believes that if he received just $1 from 5 million people, he would have enough capital to produce the Bass Reeves movie project independently.
Washington said that he had been operating successfully outside of the traditional Hollywood system for the last 15 years. He added that he had never asked for help or financial support like this in his life or career.
As of Saturday, Washington has raised nearly $9,700 for his movie project. Washington hopes to begin shooting the movie in Fall 2023 in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
If you’re unaware of Washington’s played Dr. Preston Burke on “Grey’s Anatomy.” He was a series regular for the first three seasons of the show and returned to guest-star in a single episode in season 10. However, he was fired from the show in 2007 after he reportedly used a homophobic slur to refer to his co-star T.R. Knight.
It remains to be seen whether Washington will truly retire from acting or if he will continue to pursue independent projects like the Bass Reeves movie. If you’re interested in donating to his project, click here.