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He Was the Face of ‘Boyhood.’ Now He’s Just a Texan.
From "Boyhood" to Real Life: Ellar Coltrane’s Journey Beyond Hollywood
The Boy Who Grew Up on Camera
Imagine making a movie that takes 12 whole years to film. That’s exactly what happened with Boyhood, a special film directed by Richard Linklater. The movie follows a boy named Mason from age 6 to 18, and the actor who played him—Ellar Coltrane—actually grew up right alongside his character.
Fun Fact: Boyhood was filmed from 2002 to 2014, just a few weeks each year. It’s like a real-life time capsule!
Where Is He Now?
Fast forward to today: Ellar is 31 years old and has taken a very different path. Instead of walking red carpets, he:
- Lives "in the middle of nowhere" (far from Hollywood!)
- Works manual labor jobs
- Serves as a volunteer firefighter
- Is studying to get his EMT license (Emergency Medical Technician)
Important Point: Ellar says he’s "moved on" from the film industry, but he still misses the creative collaboration of being on set.
His Unique Acting "Training"
Most actors go to drama school or take acting classes. Ellar? His classroom was a movie set.
"I was never really trained as an actor. I was trained by Richard and Ethan as a collaborator and part of the machine of the film." — Ellar Coltrane
He learned by working closely with director Richard Linklater and co-star Ethan Hawke over more than a decade. This taught him how to collaborate deeply on passion projects—but not how to navigate big studio productions with "a million producers."
Life After Child Stardom
Ellar has thoughtful insights about growing up in the spotlight:
| His Experience | What He Observed in Others |
|---|---|
| Boyhood wasn’t released until he was 18 | Harry Potter stars faced global fame as children |
| Avoided the "child star" label | Many struggled with early fame |
| Feels he "came out the other side not too damaged" | Has "a lot of compassion" for those who struggled |
What He’s Doing These Days
Even though he’s stepped back, Ellar hasn’t quit acting entirely. He’s been involved in:
- Short films like El Fantasma (filmed in Mexico City, where he plays Lee Harvey Oswald)
- Independent film community in El Paso, Texas
- Indie features like Shoplifters of the World Unite
He describes the El Paso film scene as reminding him of "Austin 20 years ago"—full of creative energy and collaboration.
What He Wants Next
Ellar is clear about his future preferences:
- Small, independent passion projects
- Close collaboration with directors who have a clear vision
- Big studio sets with many producers
- Traditional auditioning/hustling for roles
Key Takeaway: Ellar knows his strengths: "When I can get into that headspace with an artist and work closely with them to figure out how I can express what they’re trying to express, I think I can do really good work."
Summary
- Ellar Coltrane starred in Boyhood, a groundbreaking film shot over 12 years
- Now 31, he lives a quiet life doing manual labor, firefighting, and EMT training
- He never had formal acting training—learned on set from Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke
- He avoided the worst of child stardom because the film wasn’t released until adulthood
- He still loves acting but only for small, meaningful projects with passionate collaborators
- He feels compassion for child stars who faced early fame and its challenges
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old was Ellar when Boyhood started and ended?
A: He was 6 years old when filming began in 2002 and 18 when it wrapped in 2014. The movie premiered when he was 18.
Q: Why doesn’t he act in big Hollywood movies anymore?
A: He says he doesn’t know how to work on "a big set with a million producers." His experience was collaborative and intimate, not corporate. He prefers small passion projects where he can work closely with a director.
Q: Is he completely done with acting?
A: No! He still acts in independent films and short projects—especially in the El Paso, Texas film community. He just isn’t pursuing mainstream Hollywood work.
Q: What does he do for a living now?
A: He works manual labor jobs, serves as a volunteer firefighter, and is training to become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).
Q: How does he feel about his childhood on Boyhood?
A: He feels grateful he avoided the "child star" trap since the film wasn’t released until he was an adult. He acknowledges it was "a lot" but thinks he "did pretty well" navigating it. He has compassion for actors who became famous as children.
Want more stories about life after fame? Stay tuned for more journeys from screen to real life!
