What happened to the child star from Boyhood? Ellar Coltrane reveals surprising new life

Ellar Coltrane revealed why they chose to leave Hollywood behind, 12 years after Boyhood catapulted them to international fame.

The former child actor, now 31, became a household name after starring as Mason Evans Jr. in Richard Linklater’s groundbreaking coming-of-age film, which was famously filmed over 12 years between 2002 and 2014.

The critically acclaimed movie followed Mason as he grew up in Texas alongside his divorced parents, played by Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, while Richard Linklater’s daughter, Lorelei, portrayed his on-screen sister.

Where is Ellar Coltrane now?

Despite the film earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture and winning the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Ellar says life in Hollywood no longer appeals.

Speaking to Variety, the actor shared that they now live “in the middle of nowhere” and have embraced a much quieter lifestyle.

“I do manual labor, and I’m a volunteer firefighter, and I’m working on my EMT license right now,” Ellar revealed.

© FilmMagic

Why Ellar left Hollywood

While they occasionally appear in independent films, Ellar admitted they have no interest in pursuing celebrity status. “I’ve moved on,” they said.

Looking back on landing the career-defining role, Ellar recalled how the audition process was unlike anything they had experienced before.

“My parents were like, ‘This is different than the other auditions you’ve gone to,'” they remembered.

© Getty Images

“I don’t know how many callbacks it was, but it was several, and there was no script at that point, so it wasn’t at all a traditional audition where I’m reading sides. I think he was just kind of getting to know me more than anything.”

Because the film was shot intermittently over more than a decade, Ellar essentially grew up alongside the character, beginning filming as a young child before the movie premiered when they were 18.

Although the lengthy production could have been overwhelming, Ellar said they never considered walking away.

© Universal

“I never wavered in production,” they explained. “I loved it. It was a really wonderful experience for me.”

What proved more difficult was the attention that followed once the film became an awards-season sensation. “When it released, when I became famous and was going around doing a million Q&A’s and parties, I didn’t enjoy that part so much,” they admitted.

Today, Ellar’s life couldn’t be more different. Instead of chasing blockbuster roles and red carpets, the former actor has found fulfilment serving their local community while working toward becoming an emergency medical technician, marking a remarkable new chapter far removed from Hollywood.