‘Supergirl’ & ‘Oppenheimer’ Actor David Krumholtz Taking “An Indefinite Break” From Acting: “Frustrated, Fed Up, Fried”

David Krumholtz will be taking a step back from Hollywood after the actor from Supergirl and Oppenheimer got real in a series of social media posts.

The actor made the decision to take “an indefinite break” after expressing being “frustrated, fed up, fried” with the business, as “the profession has lost its gleam.”

“I kinda sorta put my acting career on hold the other day. It’s been something I’ve been petrified to do for years,” Krumholtz posted on Threads. “Specifically, the fear was that I’d go broke and not be able to handle being out of the game. But I sent the definitive email.”

He continued, “And gotta say, a huge wave of relief washed over me. Not sure what I’m going to do for money instead, or how I’m going to do it, but I just removed a humongous burden, one that I truly didn’t fathom the weight of until it was gone. Frustrated, fed up, fried.”

Krumholtz’s announcement got messages of support, and the actor continued the conversation, replying to fans.

“The love and encouragement re: my last post is overwhelmingly surprising. Acting professionally is a very different concept than the exercise of acting itself,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every single minute of exercising the muscle. I’ve enjoyed the fanfare. There was a time when being competitive and self-involved really served my pursuit. That time has passed. Much to MY overwhelming surprise. There will always be great joy in the exercise. But for me, the profession has lost its gleam.”

Lanterns actor Garret Dillahunt replied to Krumholtz, saying, “This is sad news for me. But I am happy for you. I understand completely.”

Krumholtz replied, “Garret, man. Means the world. Ain’t over, rather, redefining my terms. Hoping to find a new, more rewarding passion. Me, my product, and I mentality is not working anymore. I want to try to be of service. No crystal ball.”

The 10 Things I Hate About You actor further clarified that he’s “not quitting entirely,” adding, “Just taking a bit of a step back and an indefinite break. The stress of the moment has me wondering if there’s a higher calling to pursue. Thanks for the very kind thought. Means the world.”

Krumholtz has an extensive resumé in television and film. In 1993, he starred in Addams Family Values as Joel Glicker. The following year, he starred as the Head Elf Bernard in The Santa Clause, a role which he would reprise in 2002’s The Santa Clause 2 and in the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses.

Other films in which Krumholtz has starred include Slums of Beverly Hills (1998), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Mexican (2001), Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004), Ray (2004), Serenity (2005), Superbad (2007), among many others. He also voiced Karrem Abdul Lavash in the animated film Sausage Party (2016), a role which he would reprise in the 2024 animated series Sausage Party: Foodtopia.

In 2023, he played Isidor Isaac Rabi in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, and earlier this year he played Zor-El in Supergirl.