After making his feature directorial debut last year with the acclaimed horror-thriller Get Out, Jordan Peele has now decided to quit acting in order to focus solely on his directing career.
“Daniel Day-Lewis and I are both out (laughing),” Peele told Entertainment Weekly. “Acting is just nowhere near as fun for me as directing.”
Peele initially rose to stardom alongside his comedy partner Keegan-Michael Key both on Mad TV and their own sketch series Key & Peele. The duo also produced and starring in the 2016 action comedy Keanu, while Peele’s other acting credits include roles in Wanderlust and Fargo, as well as numerous voice roles both in film and television.
Last year’s Get Out scored both critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing over $250 million worldwide from a budget of just $4.5 million. As yet, there’s been no word as to his follow-up directorial effort, but he is currently producing Spike Lee’s Black Klansman, as well as the HBO series Lovecraft Country.
Originally published January 21, 2018. Updated April 16, 2018.
