Ellar Coltrane Reflects on Life After ‘Boyhood’

Ellar Coltrane, known for his role in Richard Linklater’s acclaimed film “Boyhood,” has shifted away from Hollywood. At 31, Coltrane played Mason Evans Jr. in a movie filmed over 12 years, capturing the life of a boy in Texas. The film received critical acclaim for its storytelling and performances.

Despite the success, Coltrane has distanced himself from the film industry. He mentioned to Variety that he now resides “in the middle of nowhere” and is largely “far away from film.”

Coltrane has pursued other interests, including acting in independent short films. He participated in “El Fantasma” in Mexico City as Lee Harvey Oswald and another in El Paso called “So, Who Was It This Time?” He noted a connection with the independent film community in El Paso, appreciating the creative energy.

While recently involved in “Shoplifters of the World Unite,” Coltrane is less drawn to the entertainment scene. Reflecting on a “Boyhood” reunion at the Austin Film Society, he admitted missing collaboration on film sets. He now engages in manual labor, voluntary firefighting, and is working toward an EMT license.

Coltrane emphasized his ability to collaborate with passionate directors on independent projects. “I can do really good work,” he said, when involved in such passion projects. As a child actor, Coltrane was cast as the son of Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke’s characters in “Boyhood.” Although untrained traditionally, he learned through collaboration.

His journey after childhood stardom seems stable, steering clear of associated challenges. He observed that unlike some child stars, he didn’t have to deal with enduring fame during filming. He expressed gratitude for avoiding the difficulties faced by many who struggle with early fame.