Interesting, I recall he threatened to quit during 30 Rock's 1st season when he was going through the problems with his kid, but NBC said No.

Actors are a strange breed. I bet it takes a lot to put yourself out there and act. I think Alec has been great and has been in some great movies. While not as successful as some of his peers, I'd say he's been a success. But as someone who does creative work for a living, I can see where he wouldn't be satisfied with what he's done. I hope this is all bluster.

He also threatened to move out of the US when Bush was elected but that didn't happen either.

Me thinks he just craves attention.

When I think of Alec Baldwin, the first two things I think of are his performances in Glengarry Glen Ross and Malice.

I actually commend him that he's so critical of himself but I agree that he's not a complete failure although his career has not been a blockbuster. Of course if it was, he may not have done 30 Rock in the first place. I really thought he was great in Prelude to a Kiss

Now, if we're talking Stephen or Daniel Baldwin . . that's a different story

I like Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock. Most everything else he did... not so much.

So did I, but I'm too lazy to move

Doesn't sound so odd, I threaten to quit my job all the time. If I was financially set I probabley would, but after a year or so would get bored and go back.

I think about radio host Art Bell, who kept quitting the radio the show and then coming back. Even after his final "retirement" he still comes back once in awhile to host the show.

He should just take a rest. If he changes his mind and gets offered something great, if not he can become president of the Film Actor's Guilde or whatever the shit.

Umm, no. No he didn't.

Baldwin is right up there on my favorite actors list. Even in the shitty movies he's been in, he has shone. But yeah, he's made a fortune and can now do what he wants. Good for him. I know he's very political and has mentioned going into politics, which I would welcome (I'd vote for him). He makes a couple million a year just in voiceover work, so I'm sure he'll be set forever and can pursue other avenues in life. Must be a nice place to be in life.

Same here. I think the problem is that he's not very memorable as a leading man, but in the right supporting roles he's fucking fantastic (thinking largely of Glengarry Glen Ross, The Cooler, and The Departed here). But, I guess after almost 30 years of acting, during which he was cast as a star for a while, it's a bit of a disappointment to be considered "just" a great supporting man.

I actually believe that Alec has gotten better with age and was recently thinking that he would sooner or later get an Oscar as a supporting actor.

Is that what you call what he's been doing for the last 4 years.

I read in interviews where he's said all along he doesn't think too highly of acting. However, he's a great actor IMO and could easily join SNL based on his hosting skills if and when he quits.

3 words...

Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice!

I have always liked Alec Baldwin in pretty much every movie, even the bad ones hes still pretty good.

I agree for the most part, but he was my favorite Jack Ryan.

I don't really see him quitting, unless he's got something else lined up, like Kal Penn. Didn't Liam Neeson threaten to retire several years ago?

There's not a A/B role that I've disliked. His physical presence and manly good looks command my attention. Hope he's just blowing hot air. I think he gets fed up with things and then gets his arm twisted a little harder each time. Hopefully he won't ever lose an arm.

Actors threaten to quit all the time and they almost never go through with it. Same will happen with Baldwin. I'm sure he'll take a couple years off, realize how bored he is and jump back into the business.

I actually like the guy a lot and think he's a GREAT character actor. He's not a movie star, but Harrison Ford is a movie star and look at his career for the last...well a long time. Not anything as good as Baldwin in The Cooler.

I'm almost positive it was Richard Roeper or someone like that who said Baldwin had found his niche as one of the very best character out there and he stole scenes in even small roles.

He was terrific even in the very mediocre My Sister's Keeper.

I don't mind his politics or believe he's a bad father, but he does seem to have a rather huge ego. He also seems to beat himself up. The Basinger thing really got him bad. And all of his brothers are weird in a similar way. He just needs to find a better therapist.

It's too bad that he judges himself not on his performances, and there have been many, many great ones, but on not being in blockbuster movies or winning academy awards.

wahhhhhh, looks like someone is throwing himself a pity party

When you can be in a movie with Jack Lemon and Al Pacino and Ed Harris and Alan Arkin, and have only one scene in that movie but still be as powerful a presence as those great actors -- you're doing all right. If Baldwin wants to retire, that's his business, and more power to him -- but he's 100% wrong if he thinks his career has been a failure.

I'm pissed as Hell that he's going to make threats again and possibly turn his back on his loyal audience.

I've written him a letter to show him how I feel and thought I'd share with you:



Hey Alec I want to tell you something, okay, and I want to leave a message for you right now, because again it’s 11:00 here in Chicago on a Monday.

I am tired of playing this game with you. I’m leaving this message for you to tell you that you have insulted me for the last time. You have insulted me. You don’t have the brains or the decency of a human being! I do not give a damn that you’re in the movies for 30 years and never had a hit and that your career is just a big pain in the ass that doesn’t care about what you do as far as its concerned.

You have humiliated me for the last time with your threats and when I come out there next week... I’m going to fly out there for the day just to straighten you out on this issue. I’m going to let you know just how disappointed in you that I am and how angry I am with you that you’ve done this to me again.

You made me feel like shit and you’ve made me feel like a fool over and over and over again. And this crap you pull on me with this. I am going to get on a plane and I am going to straighten your ass out when I see you.

Do you understand me? I am going to really make sure you get it. That I’m going to get on a plane and I’m gonna turn around and come home. So you better be ready Friday the 4th to meet with me. So I’m going to let you know how I feel, about what a rude little pig you really are. You are a rude thoughtless little pig.

Yes. Yes, he did.

Somebody needs a hobby.

Just sayin'.