Isaiah Washington, who is most recognized for portraying the character of Dr. Preston Burke in “Grey’s Anatomy” for three seasons, has declared his decision to retire from the acting profession.
Earlier this week, Washington tweeted, “It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today. Although Washington acknowledges several reasons that led him to quit acting altogether, he specifically mentioned the continuous criticism he received for his portrayal of the character in “Grey’s Anatomy” as the last straw.
“Those who have been Following/Witnessing my journey here on T—ter since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won,” the actor tweeted. “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.”
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,… pic.twitter.com/arTybceWKn
— The Disruptor💥 (@IWashington) February 28, 2023
However, Washington says he’ll be “traveling this great country before it falls into Socialism and then Communism” in the meantime.
Prior to the fourth season of the long-standing TV series “Grey’s Anatomy,” Washington was fired for uttering a homophobic slur directed towards co-star T.R. Knight during the 2007 Golden Globe Awards and on set. At first, Washington denied using the slur but later admitted to it, stating that it happened during an emotionally charged moment, and eventually apologized.
“I can neither defend nor explain my behavior,” he said in a statement at the time. “I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.”
