Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett has revealed she’s “serious about giving up acting,” despite her family’s skepticism about her retirement plans.
“My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it,” Blanchett told Radio Times in a recent interview. “I am serious about giving up acting. [There are] a lot of things I want to do with my life.”
The Australian acting legend, known for her roles in The Lord of the Rings, The Aviator, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Blue Jasmine, and more recently her acclaimed performance in Tár, made these comments while promoting her first radio play, an adaptation of Wallace Shawn’s The Fever for BBC Radio 4.
Despite her retirement talk, Blanchett remains incredibly active in the entertainment industry. She recently completed a five-week theater run at London’s Barbican in Chekhov’s The Seagull, where she played faded actress Arkadina, perhaps a fitting role given her current mindset.
Her recent screen credits include Alfonso Cuarón’s Apple TV+ series Disclaimer and Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag, released last month, where she starred alongside Michael Fassbender. She has also completed work on Jim Jarmusch’s Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, set to release later this year, and is currently filming Alpha Gang with directors David and Nathan Zellner.
Beyond Life as an Actress
Blanchett has been open about her complex relationship with fame and celebrity status. “When you go on a talk show, or even here now, and then you see soundbites of things you’ve said, pulled out and italicized, they sound really loud. I’m not that person,” she explained.
The 50-something actress describes herself as restless and admits she’s spent “a lifetime getting comfortable with the feeling of being uncomfortable.”
“I’ve always felt like I’m on the periphery of things, so I’m always surprised when I belong anywhere,” Blanchett shared. “I go with curiosity into whatever environment that I’m in, not expecting to be accepted or welcomed.”
Interestingly, Blanchett noted that being on stage is one of the rare moments when she feels truly present. “You have to have this sort of sonic sweep, like a submarine, in terms of the quality of your listening and your presence,” she said about performing in theater.
She also revealed an unexpected method for staying grounded: cold water swimming, which she took up after a recent trip to the Arctic. “The only way through is the breath,” she said, explaining how the practice helps her remain in the moment.
What’s Next for Cate Blanchett?
While Blanchett hasn’t shared specific plans for her post-acting life, her interest in production and her passion for causes like environmental activism may provide clues about her future direction.
Whether this retirement announcement will stick remains to be seen. As she stated herself, her family seems accustomed to hearing such declarations. But given her continued artistic restlessness and the depth of her recent performances, fans might hope this particular fever breaks before Blanchett takes her final bow.
