Former ‘Boyhood’ Star Ellar Coltrane Reflects on Life Beyond Hollywood

Boyhood actor Ellar Coltrane, who gained fame for his role in Richard Linklater’s Academy Award-nominated film, has stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight. Coltrane, now 31 years old, played Mason Evans Jr. in the film, which chronicled a boy’s growth in Texas and was shot over 12 years, from 2002 to 2014. The movie received acclaim for its narrative and performances.

Though Coltrane once embraced acting, he admits to living “pretty far away from film” and in relative seclusion. He shared with Variety, “I’ve acted in a couple of short films, including one called ‘El Fantasma’ filmed in Mexico City, where I portray Lee Harvey Oswald.” He also participated in another short film in El Paso titled ‘So, Who Was It This Time?’ Over time, he has integrated with the independent film community in El Paso and finds inspiration in the energy and projects there.

“I’m really inspired by the energy there and what my friends are up to. It reminds me of Austin 20 years ago.” – Ellar Coltrane

Despite his involvement in the indie film Shoplifters of the World Unite, Coltrane confessed that the entertainment industry no longer captivates him. He has shifted his focus to other pursuits, including manual labor, volunteering as a firefighter, and working toward an EMT license. However, returning to Austin for the AFS event rekindled a desire to be on set and collaborate creatively.

“I miss being on set, missing collaborating,” he mentioned at an Austin Film Society event.

Coltrane values working with directors on passion projects and believes he can excel when deeply involved in the creative process. Though he enjoys acting, he feels unprepared for the complexities of large film sets.

Originally cast at six years old, Coltrane played the son of characters portrayed by Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke in Boyhood. He describes his lack of formal training, emphasizing learning from filmmakers as a collaborator and participant in film production. He expressed hope for future roles in small, independent films.

Rowing through life after child stardom, Coltrane believes he navigated the experience without much damage. “Being a child actor is always a strange thing,” he observed, thanking his luck for not enduring the intense media exposure others face.

Coltrane feels grateful for having avoided the challenges of early fame that many child actors face. He acknowledges his compassion for those struggling with early celebrity pressure.