Ellar Coltrane, the actor who gained international recognition as the child star of Richard Linklater's groundbreaking film Boyhood, has stepped away from Hollywood to forge a new life as a volunteer firefighter and aspiring paramedic in rural New Mexico. The 30-year-old, who portrayed the character Mason throughout his formative years in the film shot from 2002 to 2013, found the experience of fame overwhelming and opted for a quieter existence.
Coltrane described his current life as being "in the middle of nowhere," dedicated to manual labor and emergency services training. "Really, in my life I’ve moved on," he told Variety. Despite his departure from the mainstream film industry, Coltrane remains connected to the arts, integrating himself into the independent film community in El Paso, Texas. He recently appeared as Lee Harvey Oswald in a small film shot in Mexico City called El Fantasma, and has acted in several short films.
He expressed admiration for the El Paso arts scene, finding its energy reminiscent of Austin 20 years prior. Coltrane, who hails from an artistic family in Austin, was cast in Boyhood at age seven. The film's unique production, capturing his growth from childhood to adolescence, ran parallel to his own upbringing, which he described as taking place in a "pretty tumultuous household."
Coltrane noted that some of the more intense scenes in Boyhood, which depicted domestic strife and difficult family dynamics, did not feel shocking to him at the time, as they mirrored aspects of his own childhood. However, a scene involving an explosive argument with his on-screen stepfather, played by Marco Perella, left a lasting impression due to its visceral intensity.
During the filming of Boyhood, Coltrane described himself as an "odd kid" who was homeschooled and raised within Austin's arts community. He recalled one instance at age 17 where he arrived on set under the influence of marijuana, leading to an "extremely anxious and self-conscious" performance that was ultimately cut from the final film.
While Coltrane never regretted his involvement in Boyhood, the publicity surrounding the film's release shortly before his 20th birthday proved to be a significant challenge. "I didn’t enjoy that part so much," he stated, contrasting his experience with that of other child stars who gain fame at a younger age. He feels fortunate to have been an adult when the film exposed him to public scrutiny, allowing him to avoid some of the pitfalls of early stardom. "I have a lot of compassion for people who really struggle with fame early in life," he said.
Recently, Coltrane reconnected with the film community, participating in a panel discussion for Boyhood at the Austin Film Society alongside director Richard Linklater, and actors Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. This interaction sparked a sense of nostalgia for being on set. Coltrane expressed a desire to return to filmmaking through small, independent projects where he can collaborate closely with a director's vision. "I have a lot to offer," he stated, particularly for passion projects where he can engage deeply with the artistic process.
Linklater has described Coltrane as having "grew up to be this sensitive poet guy" living in New Mexico. The director also reflected on how the film's narrative development was significantly influenced by Coltrane's own growth and experiences throughout the lengthy production.